Do you ever find yourself pondering over ways to improve the overall health of your curls? Wondering how to unleash the natural beauty and full potential of your curly hair as if you were blessed by the hair gods?
Allow me to reveal the key to achieving just that: my very own okra hair mask recipe. I’ll gladly share it with you, since it did wonders to my overall hair health.
The best thing is it’s so versatile you can use it as a hair gel but also as a natural conditioner for example.
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Have you ever come across the concept of “okra hair masks”? You’re probably familiar with terms like “protein”, “vitamin”, and “nutrient hair masks”, but okra hair masks might be a new one for you.
Interestingly, okra isn’t just a high fiber vegetable that you can eat. It actually has a variety of uses in traditional medicine and is a common ingredient in the deep South, as well as in African, Asian, and Caribbean countries.
It’s also known as lady finger (lady’s finger) or gumbo. The reason behind its popularity lies in its anti-inflammatory properties and numerous health benefits.
But here’s something you might not know. Okra can also be a fantastic addition to your hair care routine.
Yes, you heard it right. Okra can work wonders for your hair health and today, we’re going to embark on a new journey together exploring the realm of okra hair masks.
So get ready to discover the incredible benefits of using okra for your hair to improve the health of your hair.
Why use an okra hair mask?
The use of okra can have numerous benefits to most people. Okra and its edible seed pods are a good source of protein and dietary fibres.
They are rich in:
- amino acids,
- anti-oxidants,
- vitamin C
- vitamin K,
- vitamin A,
- vitamin B (B1, B5, B6)
- and minerals like zinc, selenium and iron.
It also contains a special plant compound to help hydrate dry scalp and and damaged hair. Which can lead to healthy hair growth.
9 Hair health benefits of okra
When you regularly use a hair mask made of okra, you’ll probably notice some changes in your hair. Okra can give you shiny, conditioned locks and tame that stubborn and dreadful frizz.
If you’re a curly girl looking to add more okra into your hair routine, here are some well known okra benefits for your hair:
1. Enhanced Hair Shine: incorporating okra into your hair care routine can result in healthier-looking hair and shiny hair.
2. Improved Scalp Health: okra possesses properties that can promote a healthy scalp by reducing dryness and itchiness.
3. Promoting hair growth: when you massage okra onto your scalp it improves blood circulation, which is essential for maintaining strong hair follicles and hair roots. Okra also contains plant-based keratin, a crucial protein that gives your hair structure and strength.
4. Deeply Moisturizing: utilizing an okra hair mask can deeply nourish and moisturize your hair, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated.
5. Defined Curls: okra aids in creating well-defined curls, promoting a beautifully natural curl pattern.
6. Easy Detangling: the slip provided by okra makes it easier to comb through your hair, particularly if you have thick or coarse natural hair.
7. Safe and Chemical-free: okra is a natural ingredient, free from harmful chemicals commonly found in some hair products.
8. Natural and Cost-effective: not only is it an affordable option, the smell of okra also is a fairly neutral. This makes it convenient for various hair care routines.
9. Multi-functional hair product: with the recept provided below you’ll be able to create a product that you can use as a hair mask, a leave-in conditioner or a hair gel.
If you’re interested in making your own DIY okra hair mask, you can try the recipe below provided by FreshDimez.
Also read: This Denman brush for curly hair will give you a perfect curl definition
DIY Okra Hair Mask & Leave-in conditioner recipe
This homemade Okra hair mask and leave-in conditioner stays well for about two weeks. The preparation time involves 20 minutes and a day to let it all blend well.
You can use it as a deep conditioner hair mask and rinse it out of your hair. Or you can even use it as a leave-in conditioner and leave-it in.
Ingredients
- 5,5 oz okra (approx. 0,69 cup of okra).
- Grape seed Oil or an oil of your choice (e.g. coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil).
- 1 tbsp water (18 floz)
- Optional: essential oil if you'd like to add a scent (e.g. orange or lavender oil).
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mason jar
- a Cheesecloth (or tea towel or coffee filter if you don't have one)
- An empty bottle
- 2 cups
Instructions
- Cut the okras in small pieces.
- Add approximately 1 ⅔ cup of water in a saucepan and put the okra in it.
- Let it boil at medium heat (don't use high heat).
- Let it simmer for about 15 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- dd the rest of the water and let it cook at low heat for another 5 minutes.
- Let it cool off and store it in a mason jar.
- For best results, let it rest for a day so everything can blend well.
- Use a cheesecloth (or tea towel) to separate the okra seeds from the slimy gel-like substance
- Finally, add 1/3 amount of oil of your choice to the okra mixture and pour it in a bottle.
- Your Okra hair mask & leave-in conditioner is ready to use. Shake well every time you use it.
How to use this hair mask?
You can use this versatile hair mask in so many different ways. You can use it:
- as a hair mask,
- as a leave-in conditioner / detangler,
- to refresh your curly hair
- or you could use the okra gel to just style your hair with natural ingredients
- and use it as a twist & lock gel.
Hair mask
Apply this mask after washing your hair. Leave it on for 10 to 30 minutes.
If you like you can use a heat cap to stimulate the hair mask to penetrate your hair strands.
When you’re finished rinse your hair and style as usual.
Curl refresher
This okra hair mask also works great if you apply it to dry hair before you shower, and then leave it on while you’re in the shower. Rinse your hair and then style as usual.
Curl detangler / leave-in conditioner
Use your homemade okra hair mask after you’ve washed your hair. Don’t rinse it out, just leave it in your hair. Because of the slip your hair becomes easy to detangle and is also highly moisturized.
Okra hair gel
Some people even use it as a twist and lock gel to create perfect twist outs. The okra provides the right balance between fixation, hydration and softness.
Normally a natural curly hair product like this would cost a fortune. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to create it yourself.
In conclusion, because of its moisturizing properties, this okra hair mask works great for curly hair. It’s a great way to add moisture, some bounce and shine to your hair.
Are you also into DIY-ing your own hair masks?
Sources: National Library of Medicine | Medicine net | College of Agriculture & Life Science
Michelina
Saturday 18th of July 2020
When you say store in a jar, do I store it in a cool and dry place or do I place it in the fridge?
Macblogster
Monday 20th of July 2020
Hi Michelina, keep it in the fridge. Otherwise, it will go bad very fast.
Charity
Thursday 24th of January 2019
Love okra recipe. I cannot understand how to translate to English to read the rest of your blog. Thank you.
MacBlogster
Friday 25th of January 2019
Hi Charity, thanks for your comment. I'll instal a translator plugin so you'll be able to read the rest of my blog too.
Makayla Carter
Monday 19th of December 2016
Thank you for such an awesome article dear and from my side I want to say that i am using best leave in detangler for curly hair for my hair Because this proprietary antioxidant-rich Superfruit Complex combines with certified organic Shea Butter, Marula Oil and Biotin in a multi-vitamin formula to nourish and enrich dull, lackluster waves and curls.
Lotte Smelik
Monday 19th of October 2015
Lotte Smelik liked this on Facebook.
Whitney Stippel
Monday 19th of October 2015
Whitney Stippel liked this on Facebook.