Our hair growth is primarily dependent on our genetics. Besides, factors like hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency, high-stress levels, certain diseases or medications, etc., may also significantly affect the health and growth of hair. While researchers have been discovering breakthrough remedies for this, simple kitchen ingredients like jalapeno can also be of magical help. The small hot pepper, primarily famous for its role in cooking, can aid in the growth of longer, stronger, and healthier locks if used correctly. Are you interested in knowing more about the link between jalapenos and hair growth? Explore this article.
What is Jalapeno?
Jalapeno nicknamed the ‘fat chili’ or ‘chile gordo,’ is a pod fruit resembling capsicum. With a distinctive spicy yet mild heat and delightful flavor, it registers between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), averaging 5,000 SHU. Originating in Mexico, it’s now a global culinary staple. This medium-sized, bright green pepper, a favorite among Americans, transforms to a milder, sweeter red hue upon ripening. (1)
‘Jalapeno’ was named in Spanish after its birthplace ‘Jalapa’ or Xalapa. It is the capital of the large port city Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico.
Benefits of Using Jalapeno
Jalapeno comes packed with nutrients, which make it food with immense health benefits. It is full of vitamins (A, B6, C, E, K, folate) and minerals (potassium, manganese) that are essential for our body (2). It is an excellent source of dietary fiber and antioxidants, too. On the other hand, the calorie content of jalapeno is shallow. This low-calorie, high-nutrition profile of jalapeno turns it into an excellent natural remedy for losing weight, treating stomach ulcers, relieving pain, fighting infections, healing cardiovascular disorders, and even combating cancer. (3)
The thick and crunchy flesh of jalapeno makes it a popular snack in Mexico. It is also widely used in salsa, soups, lemonade, guacamole, taco fillings, and many other spicy dishes.
How Does Jalapeno Improve Hair Growth?
When it comes to supporting hair growth, the nutrients in jalapeno help a lot. They nourish the scalp and strengthen the hair follicles to make the hair strands healthy, strong, and lustrous. But capsaicin is the unique ‘star’ component in jalapeno, making hair grow longer and faster. The anti-inflammatory phenolic compound (alkaloid) acts as a thermogenic, giving jalapeno its characteristic spiciness and generating heat in the body. In addition, when applied topically, capsaicin in jalapeno irritates the scalp’s skin and increases blood circulation. In short, the pepper encourages the growth of hair strands by:
- Working as a ‘contact sensitizer’ (4)
- Treating and soothing inflammatory scalp conditions (5)
- Triggering the Vanilloid receptors in hair follicles (6)
- Inhibiting a peptide called substance P
Also Read – All You Should Know About Biotin And Hair Growth
5 Surprising Methods to Grow Hair with Jalapeno
Now, here are five fantastic DIY recipes for growing hair longer and faster at home with jalapeno:
1. Jalapeno and Tequila Tincture
This mixture will cleanse and tone the skin of your scalp while preparing the hair follicles for faster growth of the strands with improved blood circulation.
Preparation:
Take (1/4) cup of tequila in a bowl and add thinly sliced jalapeno to it. Keep the bowl aside and let the pepper slices steep in the tequila for the whole night. It will be ready to use the following day.
Use:
Dip a cotton ball into the jalapeno mixture and carefully apply it to your dry scalp. Next, saturate the entire scalp with the tonic and wait for 3-4 hours. Then, wash your hair with a mild shampoo. You can also use it at bedtime and leave it overnight for better results.
2. Jalapeno, Castor Oil, and Rum / Vodka
Being rich in castor oil, this tonic will work as a growth stimulant for your hair and make it visibly thicker in a few months. On the other hand, rum or vodka unclogs scalp pores by restoring its natural pH balance, treating dandruff effectively, and turning the hair lustrous.
Preparation:
Pour (1/2) cup of rum or vodka into a bowl and add some fresh, finely chopped jalapeno peppers. Cover the bowl with a lid or aluminum foil and allow it to sit for three consecutive days. Once three days are over, strain the infusion into a glass bottle and discard the peppers. Now, pour two tablespoons of organic castor oil into the bottle, shake it well, and your hair growth tonic is ready!
Use:
Massage your scalp with it every night and wash it off in the morning.
Also Read – How Does Iron Help In Our Hair Growth?
3. Jalapeno, Egg, Olive Oil, Lemon, and Brandy
This instant recipe cannot be stored for weeks or months. However, it will nourish your hair, keep it conditioned, and help it grow like crazy. In addition, it has been found that lemon juice and olive oil help treat scalp and hair disorders, including dandruff, acne, and lice, which eventually result in faster hair growth (7).
Preparation:
Start with taking (1/4) cup of brandy in a mixing bowl. Add 1 to 2 finely chopped jalapeno peppers. Also, pour one tablespoon of organic olive oil into the bowl. Now, crack open the egg, carefully separate its yolk from the white section, and add it to the mixture. Squeeze the juice out of the lemon into the bowl, too. Beat the mixture with a fork to combine all the ingredients nicely. Keep the bowl aside (a warm place is preferable) for 20 minutes.
Use:
Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair roots using a cotton ball. After half an hour, wash off your hair with a mild shampoo.
4. Jalapeno, Mustard, Olive Oil, and Egg
This simple mask combines the stimulating properties of both jalapeno and mustard. It will boost blood flow throughout the scalp and stimulate the hair follicles for faster growth. Moreover, the penetrative properties of olive oil help moisturize the scalp and hair thoroughly (8).
Preparation:
Finely chop two small jalapeno peppers and take them in a mixing bowl. Pour two tablespoons of organic olive oil and two warm distilled water into it. Next, separate the yolk of the egg from its white section and add it to the bowl. Finally, add a teaspoonful of freshly ground mustard powder and mix everything well to form a smooth liquid of runny consistency.
Use:
Apply it all over your scalp with the help of a cotton ball and put on a shower cap. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with a gentle shampoo.
Also Read – Fish Oil For Hair Growth – Why Should You Give It A Try?
5. Jalapeno, Tequila, Yogurt, Honey, and Yeast
If you can avail yeast easily, this jalapeno hair mask will be a good try for faster hair growth. It boosts the healthy development of hair and helps prevent hair loss caused by dandruff (9). In addition, honey acts as an excellent emollient that treats dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis effectively.
Preparation:
Prepare the jalapeno and tequila tincture first (follow the first recipe to get the detailed method). Add one teaspoon of yeast and one tablespoon of pure, raw, organic honey in a mixing bowl. Also, put two tablespoons of fresh yogurt into the bowl. Stir everything with a spoon so that a mixture is prepared. Keep the bowl in a warm place for at least half an hour. At last, add the jalapeno-tequila infusion slowly to the bowl and combine.
Use:
Give the whole thing a good mix and apply all over your scalp and hair roots. Let it sit for an hour, and wash it off with a gentle herbal shampoo.
Taking fresh jalapeno is always recommended for these recipes. However, you can also replace 1-2 chopped peppers with 1 tablespoon of pepper powder. Make sure that you wear a pair of gloves while handling jalapenos to avoid the burning or tingling sensation.
Potential Risks of Using Jalapeno
Though the hair growth benefits of jalapeno sound are awe-inspiring, you must also be wary of its potential side effects before proceeding. The capsaicin content of this pepper may cause an intense burning sensation, mainly when applied directly to the scalp. Hence, it is always advised to be combined with other natural ingredients for a hassle-free application. Jalapeno may also cause other adverse effects, such as allergies, scalp dryness, changes in hair dye color, etc. So, make sure that you do a patch test before using it and strictly follow your doctor’s suggestions.
Other Ways to Stimulate Hair Growth
Well, there is no magical solution to hair fall or hair loss issues. But you can try the following options if you desperately want your hair to grow longer, faster, and healthier (10):
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet
- Pay attention to your daily protein intake (50 gms. or more)
- Increase vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids in your diet
- Consume more caffeine-infused products
- Add essential oils to your hair care products
- Massage your scalp thoroughly and frequently
- Tone down heat styling and chemical processes
- Explore options like minoxidil, PRP (plate-rich plasma) therapy, etc.
Summary:
Jalapeno is a bright green, medium-sized hot pepper with a notably spicy yet mild heat level. It comes packed with vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and antioxidants that make hair healthy and strong. The thermogenic chemical capsaicin gives jalapeno its characteristic spiciness, which irritates the scalp and improves blood flow to encourage hair growth. You can combine jalapeno with tequila, vodka, brandy, yeast, egg, mustard, yogurt, castor oil, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and similar other natural ingredients to make your hair grow longer and faster. Do not apply the pepper directly to the scalp to avoid adverse reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Green Pepper Grow Hair?
Being rich in vitamins, minerals, and the chemical called capsaicin, green pepper can nourish, strengthen, and stimulate hair for healthy growth.
Does Capsaicin Regrow Hair?
There is little proof that capsaicin helps in the regrowth of hair. However, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help promote existing hair growth.
Can Capsaicin Cause Hair Loss?
No, capsaicin has not been reported to cause hair loss till now.
Can You Leave Jalapeno in Your Hair Overnight?
The capsaicin in jalapeno may cause a burning sensation in your scalp if left overnight. Hence, an overnight application is not recommended.
References:
- “Jalapeno Peppers – Everything About Them,” PepperGeek.com
- “Peppers, Raw, Jalapeno,” NutritionValue.org
- “7 Surprising Health Benefits of Jalapenos“, Healthline.com
- “A Review of the Effects of Capsicum annuum L. and Its Constituent, Capsaicin, in Metabolic Syndrome,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Capsaicin: Physicochemical Properties, Cutaneous Reactions and Potential Applications in Painful and Inflammatory Conditions”, NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “A Hot New Twist to Hair Biology,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Citrus limon (Lemon) Phenomenon—A Review of the Chemistry, Pharmacological Properties, Applications in the Modern Pharmaceutical, Food, and Cosmetics Industries, and Biotechnological Studies,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Investigation of Penetration Abilities of Various Oils into Human Hair Fibers,” OliveOilTimes.com
- “Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Honey: An Overview “, JOCPR.com
- “10 Best Ways to Boost Hair Growth“, Healthline.com
