The natural world is full of fantastic remedies that work wonders for skin and hair health. While some are better than others, exploring how natural goodness can improve the texture, condition and appearance of hair is what we’d recommend before anything else.
Letting nature work its magic is after all not only kinder to the planet and more sustainable, it’ll keep your follicles free from harmful chemicals, including the sulfates, silicones and parabens that have been proven to harm the hair over time.
There’s one all-natural product that’s been much talked about in recent months on the haircare scene. But could wheat germ oil really provide the boost you need to bring hair health back from the brink?
Don’t be put off by the word ‘germ’! In this case, it actually refers to an extremely nutrient-rich part of the wheat grain.
Alongside the bran, which constitutes the outer layer of the grain, and the endosperm, which is the starchy bit we use in our kitchen cupboard staples, the germ makes up the kernel. When the germ of the wheat grain is left attached to the endosperm it produces a healthier wholegrain, although the two can be separated to produce white bread products. Wheat germ oil is extracted from the germ.
The germ itself is a dense source of antioxidants. Its nutrient profile consists of polyunsaturated fats, B vitamins (folic acid and thiamine), minerals, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc to name but a few of its health-boosting contents.
It contains a long list of ‘micronutrients’ too, making the consumption of the germ and its oil beneficial to health in many, many ways.
Its vitamin E content is particularly revered for topical use. With its role in hair loss prevention just one of the perks celebrated as MedicalNewsToday details:
“There is some limited evidence to support the claim that vitamin E can help prevent hair loss. A small research study, using a total of 38 volunteers experiencing hair loss examined the role that vitamin E played in preventing this loss. The study found that one of the components of vitamin E did improve the hair growth of the volunteers compared with a placebo. More research is still necessary to determine how vitamin E affects hair loss.”
Vitamin E is also thought to support scalp health, improve and restore shine, and minimise damage. As a source of vitamin E, wheat germ oil offers a simple way to integrate this hair health boosting nutrient into your routine.
Whether you’re looking to improve the health of your scalp, prevent hair loss or encourage regrowth, applying wheat germ oil to the hair and scalp has its advantages. In addition to helping you unlock the benefits of vitamin E, wheat germ oil can enhance the look and feel of your natural hair, boost the strength of follicles, and remedy dandruff. It can also minimise skin inflammation to provide further nourishment.
Apply wheat germ oil during scalp massage, use as a pre-shampoo or leave-in treatment, or mix with your usual shampoo or conditioner for the best results.
