DIY Masks to Strict No-Nos: Grandma’s Hair Hacks That’ve Stood The Test of Time

Nothing compares to the wise words of our elders, and this is especially true when it comes to personal care. Be it recipes that have been passed down for generations or tried and tested tips—they have it all. The best part is that these are entirely natural, and the ingredients are readily available in our garden.

So this week, we decided to ask a few people in our office to share some of the hair care hacks that have been doing the rounds in their family. Here’s what they had to share.

When it came to thick and smooth hair, Maya’s grandmother believed in the power of coconut oil.

“My grandma used to warm coconut oil with tulsi leaves and pepper and massage her hair with it. She would also recommend applying a paste of hibiscus leaves as a hair pack for thick hair,” she mentions.

This recipe can easily replace the use of chemical-based shampoos and conditioners. While tulsi helps to keep the scalp cool and free from dandruff, hibiscus acts as an excellent conditioner and promotes the hair’s growth and maintains its texture. If you’re struggling with thinning hair, this is a recipe you should definitely try.

Another ingredient that is an old favourite and one that Sameeksha’s mother vouches for is amla (Indian Gooseberry).

“I don’t know all of the ingredients in her recipe, but it includes hibiscus flowers, some green herbs and amla,” she says.

The Vitamin C content in amla produces the collagen protein that improves the blood circulation in the scalp and provides the hair with more volume and strength.

Using egg whites as a hair mask has also gained a lot of popularity over the years and is said to give your hair direct protein. It helps clear all of the excess oil present on the scalp, and you are less likely to form split-ends because it strengthens your hair.

“My hair care routine includes applying an egg white and lemon mask made by my mother, which is great for deep conditioning,” says Snigdha. “Since I have super curly hair, she also insists that I wash it with cold water. It helps keep the shine intact and reduces the frizz,” she adds.

Aishwarya’s mother, on the other hand, uses a recipe containing almond oil and egg white to reduce frizz. “All you need is ¼ cup of almond oil and a raw egg. You mix it until you get a smooth mixture and apply it evenly on your hair. Leave it on for about an hour and wash it off with a natural shampoo,” explains Aishwarya.

“My mother ensures that I do this atleast once a week,  and my hair is a lot softer and smoother than it used to be,” she adds.

For Tanvi, it was her grandmother’s stern nature that kept her hair from breaking. “We were forbidden from combing hair when it was wet. No combing, no wearing hats or tight scarves until the hair dries up completely,” she says.

Although hair care was a strict affair in most of our homes, the love and care that came along with the oil massages were definitely the best part.

“My baba gives the best head massage, and it is the one thing I miss the most about home. Every Saturday night, he would warm up some coconut oil and give his children a long, stress-busting head massage. This ensured we had a good night’s sleep, but also catalysed blood circulation in the scalp, preventing dryness,” says Tanvi.

The advice from our elders gave may have been bitter at the time, but these ever-green recipes and tips are proof that they definitely work wonders.

Also Read: Hair Problems? 10 All-Natural Organic Shampoos to Help You Get That Healthy Mane

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

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