Sometimes the secret to thicker hair doesn’t have to come from an expensive bottle. While it’s tempting to purchase products that promise instantaneous results, you have to be wary of what’s in them. Usually they contain a toxic cocktail of chemicals that can prove more damaging than helpful in the long run.

Sometimes the best solutions are those hidden in plain sight. To get those lustrous tresses that you’ve been dreaming of, maybe you don’t have to look further than your own home.

Open up you pantry (or peek in your garden), and you might find an abundance of products that are the key for thick tresses. And these aren’t your average ho-hum home remedies for thicker hair – these do more than the usual roundup of hair foods.

Curious? Read on to find out more!

Aloe Vera for Thicker Hair

This is something grandmothers swear by as a cure all for itches and burns, but it works wonders on your hair too. According to a study conducted by the University of Hawaii, we have the Egyptians to thank for their discovery that Aloe Vera is effective against hair loss. Aloe Vera works against hair loss in three ways.

Studies have shown that the the near-magical clear sap of aloe vera contains proteolitic enzymes that help rid your scalp of dead skin cells that can block hair follicles from absorbing nutrients it needs for healthier hair growth with thicker strands.

Various pruritic conditions such as dandruff and Seborrhic dermatitis can also contribute to hair being dry, brittle and prone to falling off. When you apply aloe vera regularly, it promotes keratolysis which breaks down the excess sebum accumulating on your scalp.

Lastly Aloe Vera has pH balancing properties for the scalp. Thanks to its highly alkaline nature, it can restore the pH balance in an acidic scalp (acidic scalps are caused by build up of chemical laden products), an optimal pH balance promotes hair growth and strengthens hair by helping it retain both essential oils and water for thicker healthier strands.

Rosemary Oil for Thicker Hair

Various essential oils are known to stimulate hair growth, and rosemary is one of the most popular and absolutely effective options.

According to Valerie Worwood, author of “The complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy,” Rosemary oil stimulates cell division and dilates blood vessels. This causes hair follicles to react by stimulating hair growth.

Plus, camphor, one of the main components in Rosemary Oil is great for promoting circulation to stimulate hair growth, fight hair loss, and even get rid of dandruff.

Castor Oil for Thicker Hair

In terms of good-for-you oils, castor is often left in the kitchen since it exhibits a goopy, thick and uncomfortable consistency. But don’t let your first impression fool you. It is rich in a lot of great hair thickeners.

For one, it’s thick consistency coats hair completely which protects it from outside elements that can cause it to fall out. It is also high in ricinoleic acid, which is a great natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal element. When applied on the scalp it kills bacteria and fungi that could be contributing to brittle, thin hair. A few drops of Castor Oil everyday can stimulate lush, thick and healthy strands.

Aside from that it’s also high in the good kind of fatty acids such as Omega 9 and Omega 6. Throw in Vitamin E and you’ve got a bevy of great nutrients that your hair will drink up.

When applied to hair, it’s both nourishing and deeply penetrating, so the nutrients that castor oil contains are delivered deep into the follicles of hair, while speeding up repairs in breakages in the hair shaft.

Henna for Thicker Hair

If you’re lusting after dark and luxurious looking hair ASAP, applying henna is like hitting two birds with one stone. It’s a popular herb in India due to it’s many benefits, and it’s fast gaining traction in the rest of the world as well.

Aside from naturally coloring hair, henna promotes thicker, healthier strands as well…and it works pretty instantaneously so your hair gets immediate thickness and volume. The tannin that it contains, called hennotannic acid, has slight astringent properties that tighten the surface of the scalp and removes buildup of oil. This causes the grasp of each hair follicle on hair to tighten which prevents breakage.

Henna also acts as a great conditioner since it easily penetrates the hair shaft. It then coats the hair and deposits nutrients into the cuticle, which results in thicker, healthier strands.

You might be reluctant to try henna ’cause you’re afraid it’ll turn your hair red – but don’t worry, it comes in other shades as well.

Note: Henna’s not recommended after a perm as it will loosen your curls!

Natural Herbs for Thicker Hair

Herbs are potent hair thickeners. Here’s a short roundup of some of the best:

• Amla: Popularly known as gooseberry, it’s a potent source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in the production of both keratin and collagen which fattens up hair strands and repairs and damage caused by constant styling.
• Horsetail: This is widely lauded as the most potent source of Silica in plants. The more silica in your hair means you’re a few steps closer to shiny vibrant hair. Silica locks in moisture in your hair while also strengthening the keratin in your hair shaft. Yay to that!
• Panax Ginseng: To get healthy hair, everything starts in the hair follicles. Ginseng optimizes blood flow which means the nutrients you ingest gets to your hair follicles faster. When you have nutrient rich hair, it becomes stronger and less prone to hair fall and brittling.

Want to know more about herbs? Check out the best herbs for hair growth as well as the best hair thickening herbs (they’re slightly different :))!