Hair Growth Home Remedies

If you would rather not spend a lot of money on hair products that claim faster hair growth, look in your kitchen cupboards for at-home remedies. Common food ingredients can assist in hair growth. While you are using these treatments, you should also eat certain foods and reconsider your haircare routine, to improve strength and reduce breakage and split ends.

Oils

• According to Mary Greenwood-Robinson, author of "Hair Savers for Women," a lack of moisture can slow hair growth and lead to breakage. Many shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a chemical that acts as a detergent. To increase growth, reduce your shampoos from every day to every other day or every three days to increase oil production. Rinse hair with warm water followed by cool water on the days between shampooing. Reducing the amount of stress on hair allows it to grow faster and healthier.

  Hair needs vitamins and minerals to grow. Take vitamin supplements that contain vitamin E, or apply it topically to the scalp. Olive oil contains vitamin E, which is found in many popular hair growth treatments and conditioners. Olive oil provides a natural shine, and can also repair damaged and dry hair. Heat 5 tablespoons of olive oil in the microwave for 1 minute, or until warm. Use your finger to test the oil and make sure it isn't too hot to use on your scalp. Pour the oil into your hands and massage it into your scalp. Let the oil sit for one minute, followed by rinsing it out with warm water and shampooing as usual. If you cannot use olive oil, Castor oil is an alternative that provides the same benefits as olive oil. To use Castor oil, follow the same instructions as the heated olive oil treatment.

Protein

• Increase your protein to add nutrients to your hair. Protein promotes scalp circulation, a key factor in hair growth. Protein also helps build muscle and repair tissue, and can be found in fish, eggs, nuts, poultry and red meat. Eat salmon, mackerel and anchovies, as they are rich with protein. Chicken also provides the same nutrients, but the skin must be removed to avoid consuming high amounts of saturated fat. Macadamia, cashews and almonds are just a few nuts high in protein, and eggs with the yolks removed are also a source of this nutrient. Red meat is also high in protein, but loaded with saturated fat. Reduce your saturated fat intake by making sure your beef is extra lean.

Hair Masks

• Eggs, avocados and honey provide moisture and stimulate the scalp by promoting circulation. For honey remedies, pour 2 teaspoons of honey into your hair and massage your scalp. Let it sit for 10 minutes and shampoo it out.

  To use eggs as a hair growth remedy, crack three to four eggs and beat them until the mixture is a solid yellow. Coat your hair with the egg mixture and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, followed by thoroughly washing the mixture out.

  To use avocados on the hair, remove the core and peel the skin off, and mash the avocado in a bowl. Evenly spread the avocado paste over the hair from root to ends, and allow it to sit for 20 minutes followed by rinsing it out.