Treating your Hair with Molasses

Beautiful hair is a sign of good health and vitality. My research has indicated that molasses has proved successful as both internal and external hair treatment to improve health and help with growth as well as combat grey hair. 

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   Molasses

   • This is a thick syrup obtained from the third boiling of a sugar syrup, generally from sugar cane (although it can also be made as a by-product of the processing of sugar beets or grapes). There are three grades of cane molasses: mild or barbados, also known as first molasses; dark, or second molasses; and blackstrap. For the rest of this article, the term 'molasses' is used to refer to blackstrap molasses from which most of the sucrose has been removed leaving trace amounts of vitamins and significant amounts of minerals.
     
     
     The many vitamins and minerals in the molasses gives the syrup a dark color and distinct flavor. Though well known as an alternative sweetener other usages besides promoting healthy hair include acne treatment, iron supplement, and improved energy. These benefits are achieved because molasses contains dense nutrients including; iron, calcium, manganese, copper, magnesium, and potassium. Thus improving our intake of nutrients may help to improve hair growth and the addition of molasses to the diet offers a great way to get these essential vitamins and minerals. The intake of molasses can:
     

     1. Reverse Grey Hair because molasses contains copper which facilitates the production of melanin that assists hair pigmentation, and
     2. Assist Hair Growth since molasses is full of B vitamins, which play a crucial role in healthy, growing hair.

   
   

   Molasses as a Topical Hair Treatment

   • Many people have used molasses as a topical hair treatment to smooth and improve the overall appearance and texture of the hair. It is recommended that you massage the molasses into your hair, covering with a shower cap or some plastic wrap and leaving in for about 1 hour. Then rinse out the molasses. This treatment should improve the condition of your hair.

     Dried out hair? Try the Molasses Intensive Hair Conditioner:
     3 tablespoons cold-pressed sweet almond oil (but you can substitute whichever oil you have, we use Jamaican Virgin Coconut Oil)

     3 teaspoons molasses 

     aloe gel (or aloe vera juice)

     
     

     Whip together oil and molasses. Add aloe, and stir to form a smooth paste. Dip hairbrush into mixture and apply to clean, dry hair. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap and warmed towel to trap moisture and body heat. Leave on for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water, finishing with a brief tepid rinse. (Others have recommended rinsing throughly and then doing an apple cider vinegar rinse.) Allow hair to air dry for deeply-conditioned hair! Don't have time to do it at home? Come down to BEAUTIFUL EARTH  and get this deep conditioning treatment!

     
     

     Overall, the use of molasses should make your hair feels simultaneously stronger and softer. You should have no problem combing through your hair or rinsing the molasses from your locs. There is no after smell. Enjoy!