The haircare world is filled with unique–and occasionally delicious-sounding–DIY treatments. And frankly, it doesn't get any more wholesome and nutritious than a hair gel made from vegetables.
If you’re curious about how you can transform okra into a potent hair growth-boosting gel, just read on! In this article, we’ll examine whether or not okra gel can help your hair grow. We’ll also take a look at how to make, use, and store okra gel!
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Benefits of Using Okra Gel for Hair Growth
As you may have gathered from the title of this article, okra is a popular hair growth treatment. But the benefits don’t end there! Here are some ways okra gel is excellent for your hair and scalp.
It’s High in Vitamins and Minerals
Okra is incredibly rich in vitamins A, C, and K. It also contains a significant amount of minerals, antioxidants, and proteins.
This reparative blend of vitamins and minerals can improve everything from your hair’s strength and elasticity to shine and manageability. And as an added plus, it is just as beneficial for your scalp as it is for your strands.
It’s a Great Alternative to Alcohol-Based Gels
Hair gel is unmatched in terms of styling products. It adds shine, gives you extreme control, and helps you mold your hair into the perfect shape.
Unfortunately, many hair gels contain harsh alcohols that can dry your hair out and increase breakage. Okra gel provides a safe and gentle alternative to these products, which can help improve the health of your hair.
Okra Gel Can Improve Manageability
Although okra gel is best known for its health-boosting properties, it also makes an incredibly efficient styling aid. Okra gel has a thick, slimy consistency.
It coats your hair strands in a protective film that can help block out frizz. It also gives you a ton of slip so you can detangle your hair without breakage.
Okra Gel Hydrates Your Hair and Scalp
It’s no secret that your skin and hair need moisture in order to thrive. Okra’s high water and vitamin content make it extraordinarily gentle and hydrating for both your hair and scalp. With regular use, you should see a noticeable improvement in things like dryness, breakage, dandruff, and scalp discomfort.
How to Make Okra Gel for Hair Growth
Okra gel has numerous benefits for your hair and scalp. And since it only contains natural, gentle ingredients, it’s safe for most people to try. If you want to learn how to make your own okra gel (e.g., a DIY okra hair mask), this is the section for you.
We’ll break down everything you need to know below.
Prepare Your Ingredients
The first thing you’ll need to make okra hair gel is five to eight fresh okra pods. Wash the okra thoroughly to remove any dirt, bugs, or pesticide residue.
Then, slice the okra pods in half and remove as many seeds as possible. Once the pieces are relatively seed-free, chop your okra pods into quarters.
Boil the Okra
Pour your clean, chopped okra pods into a pot and add 1 to 2 cups of filtered water. Place the pot on a burner and bring the water to a boil. After the water boils, reduce the heat to a simmer.
Let the okra simmer until it thickens and forms a sticky gel.
Every few minutes or so, stir the mixture so the bottom of the pan doesn’t burn. Once you’re satisfied with the consistency of your gel, pour the finished mixture into a glass container so it can cool.
While pouring, let the gel flow through a cheesecloth or a strainer. That will help remove the solids and ensure your okra gel comes out smooth and is easy to apply.
Mix in the Extras
Mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil to help mask the okra smell. As a bonus, essential oils help fight off bacterial and fungal growth. They can also amp up the okra’s growth-boosting effects.
You can use whichever essential oil you prefer, but we recommend tea tree, rosemary, peppermint, or lavender oil. Try incorporating some other nutrient-dense fruits, veggies, or substances.
Just remember, what you add will impact the longevity and potential uses of your okra gel. Need some inspiration? Here are a few additives that will help upgrade your mask and make it even more nourishing.
- Coconut milk
- Hair healthy oils
- Mashed banana
- Aloe vera gel
- Honey
- Plant-based butters
How Do You Use Okra Gel for Hair Growth?
Because of its thick, gloopy consistency, okra gel doesn’t always work well as a leave-in treatment. So if you plan on using it for hair growth, we recommend applying it as a post-wash hair mask.
The shampoo will help raise your cuticles, which helps your hair absorb all those wholesome vitamins and minerals that okra contains. Then, the conditioner will ensure that all those nutrients stay locked in your strands. Ready to give it a try?
To start, shampoo your hair like usual, and rinse well. Then, squeeze out all of the excess moisture from your strands. Apply a dollop of okra gel to your hair and massage it into your scalp for two to three minutes.
Go back and ensure that the mid-lengths and ends of your hair are thoroughly coated with the mixture. Put on a shower or processing cap and set a timer for 10 to 40 minutes.
Once your time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water.
Keep rinsing until you’ve removed all of the okra residue. Next, apply a conditioner to your hair while it's still damp. Let the conditioner sit for a few minutes longer than the amount of time recommended on the bottle, and rinse well with cool water.
And that’s it! Now that you’ve finished, you can dry and style your hair like usual.
How to Preserve Okra Gel for Hair
After you whip up a batch of okra gel, you’ll probably be left with more gel than you actually need. So rather than waste it, we recommend storing the remainder until you can get around to using it.
You can also use this method to make your okra gel ahead of time so you always have some on hand. To store your okra gel, pour the cooled mixture into a clean, airtight container (e.g., mason jar) and place the container in your fridge.
Refrigerated okra gel will remain fresh for up to one week, which should be just enough time for your second treatment!
Want to store your leftover okra gel for longer?
You can also freeze okra gel in an ice cube tray. That way, you'll have convenient, pre-portioned gel cubes instead of a solid block of gel.
Simply pour your unused okra gel into a clean ice cube tray and place it in the freezer.
Once the mixture has frozen all the way through, remove them from the tray and store them in an airtight container. Return the cubes to the freezer, and defrost them as needed.
Keep in mind that okra gel won’t last forever. Although it won't go bad when frozen, it will only last for about a year or so. After that, the nutrients will start to degrade.
So, there you have it! Okra gel might be just what you need to take your hair growth journey to the next level. It’s safe, effective, and incredibly easy to make and use.
It’s also completely natural, so you can rest assured knowing that you’re giving your strands the best care possible. And with that, we hope that the information we’ve covered today is just what you were looking for!
