5 Benefits of Arnica Hair Oil

Are hair problems like dandruff, hair loss or hair breakage upsetting you? You’ve tried every hair treatment there is, and nothing seems to work? Why not try Arnica hair oil, a different but unique homeopathic remedy?

Long before medicines were manufactured chemically, people used to depend on natural herbs and plants for treating various ailments. Arnica is one such herb that has been used since time immemorial as a pain reliever as well as a remedy for treating a wide range of health issues.

Those who use homeopathic medicines must be familiar with arnica, because it is a common ingredient in many of these medications. Many tonics, shampoos and gels also make use of the benefits of this wonderful herb.

What is Arnica? Arnica, a native to Central Europe and Siberia is a perennial herb that belongs to the sunflower family. The plant that may grow to a height of one to two feet produces yellow or orange flowers that look like daisies. These flowers can be seen during the middle of summer and they continue to blossom throughout autumn as well. There are numerous species of this herb, of which Arnica montana, the most popular one is used for preparing a yellow, aromatic essential oil. It is also known by several other names such as Wolf’s bane, Leopard’s bane, Mountain daisy and Mountain Tobacco.

The fresh and dried flower heads of arnica are used in Homeopathic system of medicine to prepare medications to treat various health conditions. Today, it is available in the form of gels, ointments, creams and tinctures, which are often used in the treatment of pains, bruises and aches.

Arnica is a toxic herb and if ingested may cause liver damage. However, there are many homeopathic oral supplements that contain arnica in a highly diluted form. Low dose arnica is safe and is used for treating pain after surgery, muscle pain and inflammation.

How is Arnica Oil Made? Arnica essential oil is prepared by CO2 extraction or steam distillation of the arnica flower heads. This oil is then mixed with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil to create the commonly available ready to use arnica oil. Pure arnica essential oil is very strong and may be toxic when inhaled. Therefore, using it for aromatherapy is not recommended.

If you can get hold of some arnica flowers, you can easily prepare arnica hair oil at home.

Just take half ounce of coarsely ground dried petals of the flower in a mason jar and fill the jar with a carrier oil of your choice. Make sure that the flowers are completely immersed in the oil.
Infuse the oil by applying a slow and steady heat for about 3 weeks. This can be done either by keeping the jar in an oven with the light on or in a place that gets good amount of sunlight.
After three weeks, strain out the petals. Pour the oil in a dry and clean bottle and use it regularly on your hair.

Composition of Arnica Oil: Fifty percentage of arnica oil is made up of fatty acids such as linoleic, linolenic, myristic and palmitic acids, while the other fifty percentage is a mixture of thymol and its derivatives, phlorolisobutyrate and thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether. Helenalin is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound found in arnica oil that makes it effective against inflammation and swelling. However, this compound may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it.

Most of the medicinal properties of arnica oil, such as the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties can be attributed to the thymol derivatives present in it. Thymol is a vasodilator and therefore facilitatesincreased blood circulation. Increased blood flow together with the anti-inflammatory properties is effective inspeeding up the healing process.

Reasons to Use Arnica Oil on Your Hair

When it comes to hair oils, arnica oil is clearly a winner. Owing to its numerous medicinal properties, arnica is used as a main ingredient in many hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners and gels.

The regular application of arnica hair oil not only helps improve the health of your hair and scalp, but is also effective in preventing all sorts of hair related problems like hair fall, hair breakage, lack of hair growth and dandruff.

Let’s see how arnica oil is beneficial to your hair:

Arnica Oil Prevents Hair Loss

Are you experiencing excessive hair loss? Instead of exposing your hair to a list of chemical treatments, there are several natural options that would help you deal with this problem.

Taking good care of your scalp is the first step to preventing hair loss or any other hair related issues for that matter. Oiling your hair with the right hair oil at least once a week has its own benefits. Not only is it beneficial to the health of your hair and scalp, but it has also been found to contribute to improved sleep and calmness of the mind.

Applying arnica oil to your hair and scalp stimulates your hair follicles and produces strong and healthy hair that is less prone to falling off prematurely. For best results, massage the oil directly onto your scalp and leave it overnight.

Arnica Oil for Treating Dandruff

Dandruff is a common hair problem and surely most of us have had it at some point of time in our lives. Some people suffer from chronic dandruff that no matter what they do, there’s no use.

Normally, our skin sheds older cells and produces new ones daily. Dandruff mostly occurs when this shedding process takes place at a faster rate. However, there are also other reasons for dandruff such as fungal infection, dry skin, exposure to harsh chemicals and lack of proper nutrition.

Using arnica hair oil in your hair care routine is a great remedy for eliminating dandruff. It helps maintain a healthy, dandruff-free scalp by eliminating the excess dirt and sebum from the scalp.

Arnica oil contains various compounds that possess anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can prevent the growth of dandruff causing bacteria and fungi.

Arnica Oil Promotes Hair Growth

Arnica hair oil is considered to be one of the best remedies for reversing hair loss and promoting fast and healthy hair growth.

Regularly massaging of your scalp with arnica oil increases blood circulation, provides nourishment to the scalp and stimulates the hair follicle to produce strong and healthy hair.

Arnica Oil Reduces Split Ends

Weathering, coloring, washing, blow drying, curling and flat ironing are just some of the reasons that lead to hair damage and split ends.

Deep conditioning of the hair with arnica oil is helpful in preventing split ends. Massage the oil onto the scalp and hair and leave it on for at least an hour. Wash off the oil with a mild shampoo. Repeat this treatment once or twice a week.

Arnica Oil Prevents Premature Graying of Hair

Graying of hair, although associated with the process of growing old, is not something that most of us look forward to. However, what’s more disturbing is that even kids and teenagers these days happen to experience premature graying of hair.

The major causes of premature graying are thyroid problems, hormone imbalance, pollution, unclean scalp, medications, exposure to harsh chemicals and lack of proper nutrition.

Once a few strands of gray hair make its appearance, most people generally try to cover it up by turning to chemical dyes and colors. Needless to say, these chemicals lead to further damage of hair and increase in the number of gray hairs. However, the good news is that there are natural options like arnica hair oil that can help prevent premature graying.

The nutrients in arnica oil, in addition to providing nourishment to the hair also protect the hair from the elements that are responsible for premature graying.

How to Use Arnica Oil on Your Hair: Take a few drops of the oil in your palm and apply it on your scalp. Using your fingertips, gently massage the oil on the scalp for at least 10 minutes. For best result, apply the oil just before you go to bed and leave it on overnight. Wash your hair in the morning with a mild shampoo.

Other Benefits of Arnica Oil

Arnica oil is an effective remedy for rheumatic pain, muscle soreness, spasms and aches.
It can help treat bruises, sprains and insect bites.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of the oil is helpful in treating skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, itchiness and other skin infections.
Arnica oil can help reduce stretch marks.
It is an anti-inflammatory agent and hence is used in the treatment of arthritis and joint pains.
Arnica oil promotes oral health. The antibacterial properties of the oil make it a great remedy for conditions like pyorrhea and gingivitis.
It is found to be a good remedy for stress and depression.

Arnica oil is perfectly safe for topical application, but extreme care should be taken not to ingest or inhale it. Always use the oil in the diluted form because pure arnica essential oil is potent enough to cause severe side effects such as increased heart rate, dizziness, vomiting, stomach problems, allergic reactions, shortness of breath and tremors.

Arnica oil is definitely a warehouse of numerous health benefits, which is why it is recommended by so many health practitioners. Give arnica hair oil a try and see how it works for your hair!