Plantain for hair: therapeutic properties and benefits

In times when mankind did not know how to synthesize chemical compounds, people spent a lot of time studying the world around them. Thanks to this, healers knew about the properties of medicinal plants even in ancient times, and with the invention of writing, they shared this knowledge in works that are now called treatises and manuscripts. In particular, old books also talk about the uniqueness of plantain for hair. This plant remains a favorite of folk medicine to this day.

Benefits of Plantain for Hair

Much is known about the powerful effect of a modest-looking plant called plantain. Leaves and seeds contain vitamins, phytoncides, tannins, and enzymes. The main benefit of plantain for hair is its ability to restore the hair shaft and damaged ends, stimulating growth and nourishing the hair follicles. The green mass contains substances that accelerate the regeneration of all types of tissue, which makes the plant very useful for healing skin damage and deeper layers. [ 1 ]

The benefits of plantain for hair are also manifested in the following:

• regulation of sebum production;
• normalization of microflora;
• improving blood circulation;
• deodorization;
• disinfection.

Plantain seeds and leaves are used to care for the scalp. They are used to make decoctions, oils, and juices. At home, masks are prepared or braids are rinsed after washing with fresh plantain decoction. After such a procedure, they become clean, stronger, and smell nice. The rinse should be prepared in advance so that it cools down by the time of the procedure.

In professional cosmetology, active substances of plantain are used in the production of shampoos, masks, rinses, creams intended for both hair and skin.

Indications plantain for hair

Traditional medicine considers many ailments to be indications for the use of the herb, roots or seeds of plantain. Unofficial names of the plant are seven-veined, fellow traveler, cuttlebone, plantain. [ 2 ]

• The seed is used to treat constipation and in cases where stool softening is required.
• The juice is used to treat corneal wounds and destroy pathogenic microflora.
• The extract stops bleeding, disinfects and heals wounds.
• Infusions remove phlegm, soothe, and reduce blood pressure.

These and other properties have been known to healers in various countries where this unpretentious plant grows since time immemorial; theoretical and practical manuals have been written about it. Over time, the rich information was used by official medicine, as well as pharmacology, veterinary medicine, and cosmetology – to create recipes for medicines and preparations intended for the care of skin, hair, and individual parts of the body. Young greens are also used in food – as a vitaminized component for salads, side dishes, and seasonings. [ 3 ]

Plantain is used for hair no less actively. Dry, damaged, weakened, brittle, falling hair of varying oiliness require masks and rinses.

• Plantain-based products normalize fat formation and make hair healthy and voluminous.

Their use is especially indicated for dyed hair, after a perm, long-term treatment with drugs that worsen the condition of the hair. The beach season also has an adverse effect on the appearance of curls, and a cycle of masks or rinses will do them good.

Pharmacodynamics

The composition of the plantain for hair contains a complex of biologically active components. When used internally, the secretory function of the stomach increases, and appetite improves. Pharmacodynamics for local use have not been described. [ 4 ]

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of plantain for hair has not been studied.

Dosing and administration

The task of the plantain preparations for hair is to make maximum use of the unique possibilities laid down by nature. They have a beneficial effect on the skin and hair: stimulate growth, strengthen, nourish, restore damage, disinfect, deodorize. With the correct method of application and doses, the effect is guaranteed. The dosage depends, first of all, on the form in which the plantain remedy is used.

• The freshly prepared decoction is used to rinse hair washed with regular shampoo. It dries on the braids, enhancing its effect. The liquid is either poured onto the hair or diluted in a basin and the hair is washed in such water.

Unlike the decoction, juice is bought from a pharmacy. This is practically a ready-made mask: before applying it, it is enough to dilute it in half with water. If the hair is wet, especially greasy, you can leave it undiluted. Rub the undiluted liquid in with massaging movements, gather the braids together and put on a warm hat. Or wrap your head in a woolen scarf. A shower cap will increase the effectiveness, creating a kind of sauna.

• A nourishing mask for hair restoration is prepared from 100 g of leaves and oils (burdock, linseed, 50 ml each), prepared according to a special recipe. The finished product is stored in the refrigerator, warmed up before application. Spread over the skin and hair, wrap in polyethylene or a shower cap and a scarf for 2 hours. The course of treatment is two to three months, 1-2 masks per week.

Rinsing hair with plantain decoction

Any plantain recipe for hair is easy to prepare in the home kitchen. Juice, mask, decoction, oil are prepared from seeds and green mass. Rinsing hair with a decoction of plantain is the most affordable care option. To do this, prepare a fresh product every time before washing your hair.

Washed seeds with leaves are crushed, placed in a glass or ceramic dish, poured with boiling water, brought to a boil and turned off the burner. For 1 liter of water, 20 g of plant material is needed. The liquid should be prepared in advance so that by the time of washing it has cooled to the optimum temperature.

• Wash your hair in the usual way and with the usual means. Then rinse with a plantain decoction.

To do this, either pour the decoction directly onto your hair without rinsing, or rinse in a small basin. Dilute the decoction with a small amount of water (approximately half and half). Rinse thoroughly to remove any remaining detergents, massage the skin and hair roots.

Regular rinsing helps to normalize the fat balance, restores the structure, promotes elasticity, shine, volume, strength of each hair. The procedure takes a little time, and the effect will definitely not disappoint!

Application for children

The effect of using plantain for hair on a child's body has not yet been studied. In this regard, it is unlikely that regular use of decoctions or juice of the plant for children is advisable. On the other hand, a one-time use for children will most likely not harm either hair or skin.

The application consists of rinsing the head after washing with baby shampoo. The product is convenient to prepare in advance and store in the freezer, in the form of cosmetic ice. It is prepared as follows:

• Pour hot mineral water without gas, but not boiling water, over the plant leaves, leave for a day, filter. Pour into a special ice mold or similar container. Proportions - 1 tbsp. spoon of raw material per glass of water.

For dry and brittle hair ends, it is useful to combine plantain with linden in a 1:1 ratio. Linden blossom serves as a natural moisturizer for delicate baby hair. In addition to these components, rose or jasmine petals, green tea, infused and frozen in the same way, are suitable for freezing. Both fresh and dry raw materials are suitable.

Ice is used as needed. Throw 2 cubes into hot water and rinse washed hair after dissolving. This is the best way to strengthen them without using commercial products for adults. In order for washed children's curls to be easy to comb and look healthy, you should comb them with special combs and properly care for them every day.

Not all women are ready to make their own herbal care products. It is easier to buy a ready-made, advertised one. But those who have tried plantain for hair confirm its effectiveness. An inexpensive, effective natural product gives its generosity to a person free of charge, making an invaluable contribution to the cause of increasing female beauty, which dominates in this contradictory world.

Use plantain for hair during pregnancy

There are many products whose use during pregnancy is regulated by separate rules. This is especially true for chemical products - for coloring, care, eliminating dandruff and stimulating hair growth.

Plantain for hair can be too strong an irritant, even when applied topically. Since the effect of its components on the fetus has not been studied in detail, it is better for the expectant mother not to take risks and find a neutral remedy or restore hair later, after a successful birth.

However, to maintain beauty and health, cosmetologists recommend pregnant women to rinse their hair with natural infusions or decoctions, depending on their type. They are sure that such procedures are safe for the mother and fetus.

Plantain is suitable for oily hair, as are St. John's wort, linden, and yarrow. Dry hair is rinsed with an infusion of mint or birch leaves, normal hair - with chamomile, heather, and burdock root.

Contraindications

The plant is considered safe and non-toxic, especially when applied externally. However, any powerful component has contraindications for use, since the wrong dosage or method can have the opposite effect. Biologically active preparations of plantain are no exception.

• The use of plantain for hair is extremely rare, but can cause harm - in particular, provoke an allergic reaction. The risk is especially high, up to Quincke's edema and coma, in people with autoimmune diseases.

It is not recommended to use the plant for pregnant women and children. The former may experience complications, while for the latter, the effect of plantain on a growing organism has not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, it is better if the appropriateness of using plantain is determined by a qualified specialist.

Side effects plantain for hair

Local application of plantain for hair is actually safe. In case of individual intolerance or overdose, side effects are possible. They even write about Quincke's edema, which poses a serious threat to health.

When collecting the plant yourself, it is important to know that it can accumulate lead and cadmium (if it grows along roads where the air is polluted by exhaust gases). Therefore, raw materials should be collected in ecologically clean areas or purchased from a pharmacy, of guaranteed quality.