30 Natural ways to make your hair grow faster & healthier

Women have sworn by cold-pressed castor oil for hair growth for centuries now, and apparently it really works. "Castor oil is most commonly used as a natural treatment for thin or sparse eyelashes,” Dr. Joshua Zeichner, dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, told InStyle. "[The] fatty acids […] coat the hair shaft […] to enhance shine and make the hair itself look thicker."

Avocado contains both protein and omega-3 fatty acids that can help intensely hydrate, strengthen, and revitalize dry, damaged hair, which in time will encourage growth. Did I mention it also boosts shine? Try mixing avocado with olive or coconut oil for a deeply conditioning treatment.

You can’t have healthy hair without a healthy scalp. The acetic acids in apple cider vinegar can help balance the pH levels of your scalp as well as remove product buildup, excess oil, and dirt that can prevent healthy hair growth. It also contains vitamins B and C and alpha-hydroxy acid, which leave hair strong, hydrated, and shiny.

Raw honey specifically contains enzymes and nutrients that leave dull and damaged hair shiny and soft. And unlike some other natural ingredients, this one doesn’t weigh hair down. Apply a tablespoon of raw honey mixed with a natural oil of your choice to hair from the mid-shaft of your hair to the ends. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, and make sure to rinse out thoroughly with cool water.

The large amounts of calcium, zinc, and sulfur in garlic are said to help stimulate hair follicles and encourage noticeable growth. Create a natural hair treatment mixing 2 to 3 cloves of minced garlic with ½ cup of olive or coconut oil. Leave on for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing out.

This protein-packed natural treatment helps to repair dry, damaged, and brittle hair. It also deeply moisturizes hair, preventing splits and breakage that can prevent hair growth.

That’s because aloe contains proteolytic enzymes that help encourage a healthy scalp and repair and moisturize dry, damaged strands. Did I mention it’s loaded with protein? This is an essential ingredient when it comes to hair strength and growth. Remove the sap from an aloe vera branch and apply to hair from roots to ends. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing. It’s also light enough to use as a leave-in or natural curl gel.

This B-complex vitamin encourages cell proliferation, which helps in hair growth. Look for a supplement that consists of a daily dose of 30 micrograms. Biotin isn't stored in your body for very long, which is why you need to consume it regularly for optimal hair benefit.

Not only are they known for deeply moisturizing hair, but they are known to help prevent hair loss and encourage growth. That’s because they're filled with proteins, B-complex vitamins, and essential nutrients that help to drastically improve the health of hair. If your hair is too thin or naturally oily, use the egg whites only. Whisk them and then apply to damp hair. Leave for 20 minutes, then remove with cool water before shampooing.

The omega-3 fatty acids and protein found in fish oil promote healthy hair growth and healthy skin. Try taking a supplement daily. A 2015 study found that women taking fish oil supplements had increased hair growth and a decrease in hair loss.

Massaging the scalp with rosemary oil helps to stimulate hair follicles that will eventually lead to growth. It will also cost you little to nothing. Rosemary oil is also said to prevent premature graying and dandruff.

Try dedicating a few minutes a day to gently massaging your scalp to help promote blood circulation which helps to stimulate hair follicles. The easiest way is to use a scalp massager.

If you grew up going to Latino beauty supply shops, chances are you’ve seen the famous Baba de Caracol intensive hair conditioner. Dominican women have sworn by this ingredient for healthy, soft hair for years now. Even Kim Kardashian uses it! In fact, the reality star styled her hair with it for the 2016 VMAs. "Snail slime can be a very effective sealant on the hair,” Ni’Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist, told Self.com. "The proteins can help strengthen strands while the texture helps seal the cuticle and locks moisture in place."

Apparently it’s filled with nutrient-heavy vitamins and minerals like omega-3-fatty acids, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, B, and E, which help to stimulate hair follicles for growth, produce sebum for moisture, and detoxify the body. Try consuming it more in your diet, or look for hair products that contain seaweed as a prime ingredient, like Bumble and Bumble Seaweed conditioner.

Studies have shown that bee venom can help with hair loss and stimulate hair growth, even on people who struggle with alopecia. Bee venom is the liquid that bees excrete when they sting you. Of course, we're not asking you to go get stung; you can buy bee venom—glucosamine sulfate—capsules online or in stores.

There isn’t enough scientific research to back up this theory, but coconut oil does in fact hydrate and strengthen hair, contributing to healthy hair. Apply it as an oil treatment and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off, cleansing, conditioning, and styling as usual. If you have thick, curly hair, you can also use it as a leave-in treatment.

Your body is already made up of collagen, so taking collagen supplements will help you to produce more, which with consistent use can lead to stronger bones and joints and healthier skin and hair. The proteins in collagen encourage hair growth and leave strands stronger, more moisturized, and a lot healthier. Try adding collagen powder to your smoothies.

Not only does this antimicrobial oil relieve dry scalp, but it’s known to improve the circulation of blood and stimulate hair follicles, which leads to growth. Try massaging your scalp using this before washing hair.

The super-hydrating oil that comes from the Moroccan argan tree deeply nourishes hair, leaving it softer, shinier, and also stronger. It encourages growth and prevents damage and breakage.

This oil treatment that’s formulated with cold-pressed chia seeds is loaded with antioxidants and omegas 3, 6, and 9, which not only hydrate hair but also work to intensely repair it.

Studies show that it causes blood vessels to widen, increasing blood flow and circulation, which can lead to hair growth. Add a few drops to your favorite shampoo, and get ready to smell so fresh and so clean!

Because they are rich in potassium and antioxidants, bananas are known for not only strengthening hair but aiding in hair loss as well. Try making an at-home hair mask using a ripe banana, olive oil, coconut oil, and honey.

There’s a reason why you’re finding grapeseed oil in a lot of your favorite hair products these days. That’s because it does everything from moisturizing, conditioning, and strengthening hair to reducing dandruff and dermatitis—it even reduces hair loss. Apparently it blocks cortisol, a hormone that’s released when you’re stressed that can lead to hair loss.

But manuka honey, specifically, takes things to another level. It works as a sealant that locks in moisture in your hair, preventing damage, breakage, and loss. You can use it as the base for a hair mask and add other ingredients to it as well.

It can help to strengthen strands, balance the pH levels of your scalp, and deeply moisturize. Yogurt also contains lactic acid, which helps clean the scalp and get rid of dead cells.

Ginger is practically a miracle ingredient. It helps with colds, digestion, gut health, and the immune system, and it apparently helps to tackle dryness and promote hair growth.

This rich oil hydrates hair like you wouldn’t imagine without weighing it down. But it’s also been used as a hair growth remedy for centuries, mainly by ancient Egyptians. Mix it with castor oil and apply to the scalp through massage motions.

It contains a high amount of protein and iron that instantly strengthens hair and prevents potential hair loss. Try creating a conditioning mask using a ½ cup of almond milk and a tablespoon of castor oil.

Apparently, the same properties it contains to nourish skin can also be applied to hair. It’s not only hydrating but also a natural anti-inflammatory that can promote scalp health.

This deeply moisturizing butter comes from Central and South America and contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that help provide scalp health as well as repair dry, damaged hair. It’s not easy to shop for, but you can find it at select health food stores or online at Etsy or Amazon.