Marshmallow Root Benefits For Hair + 3 More Healthy Hair Herbs

Reading time: 6 min.

As you age, it gets more and more important to look after your hair. While you may take it for granted in your younger years, hair begins to thin and lose its lustre as a natural part of the ageing process. That’s why many people turn to herbal medicines like marshmallow root and basil.

The benefits of marshmallow root for hair are well-known – but why is this root so good for your hair? In this article, we’ll explore:

What marshmallow root is and what its medicinal benefits are
Other herbs to use to promote healthy hair
What you can do to protect your hair and treat hair loss

Table of Contents

What is marshmallow root?
Why is marshmallow root good for your hair?
How to use marshmallow root on your hair
Basil benefits for hair
Why is basil good for your hair?
How to use basil in your haircare routine
The benefits of lavender on hair
Why is lavender good for your hair?
How to use lavender for your hair
Liquorice root
Why is liquorice good for your hair?
How to use liquorice in your haircare routine
Other vitamins and supplements
What can I do about pattern hair loss?

What is marshmallow root?

Marshmallow root comes from the marshmallow plant, also known as Althaea officinalis. The flowers, leaves, and roots of the marshmallow plant can be eaten. The plant also produces a sap-like substance known as mucilage which can also be used as an herbal remedy.

This plant is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries to treat a variety of ailments including the following:

Relieving coughs and colds (marshmallow root can be used in herbal cough drops or combined herbal cough syrup) [1]
Relief for digestive issues like ulcers (Marshmallow flower extract may help protect the mucous lining of the digestive tract) [2][3]
Treatment of skin conditions like eczema and skin irritation (when applied topically) [4]
Wound-healing (the wound-healing potency of marshmallow root is believed to be in part due to the plant’s extract ability to kill off certain types of bacteria) [5]

Why is marshmallow root good for your hair?

Marshmallow root contains lauric acid, which is the fatty chain responsible for many of the health benefits of coconut products. It’s one of the reasons why coconut oil is often recommended as an at-home hair treatment.

Marshmallow root has also been shown to induce the proliferation of follicle-derived human stem cells, giving it the potential to promote healthy hair growth. Lauric acid protects your roots and hair follicles, giving them a better chance to flourish. It can also prevent loss of hair protein, helping your strands better withstand heat and styling products.

Marshmallow root is also rich in mucilage, a thick substance made up of protein and polysaccharides. This texture makes marshmallow root an effective detangler, so you can brush your hair more easily.

Marshmallow root also has anti-inflammatory properties to help with certain scalp conditions.

How to use marshmallow root on your hair

Unfortunately, marshmallow root’s healing effects are unavailable via candy marshmallows as the sweet treat is no longer made with the plant. Fortunately, you can buy marshmallow roots online or in many health food stores. These medicinal plants come in a variety of forms including:

Dried marshmallow roots
Marshmallow root powder
Marshmallow root tea bags
Marshmallow root extract
Marshmallow root capsules

To use marshmallow root for hair, simply boil dried marshmallow root or marshmallow root tea bags with boiling water to create a tea. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before straining it. You can then add this mixture to your normal conditioner for an easy way to boost your hair health.

You can also mix marshmallow root powder with water and let it steep overnight in a covered container to form a mucilage which you can use to help detangle your hair.

To get the full hair health benefits, marshmallow root must be applied topically to the hair and scalp.

Basil benefits for hair

Basil is usually confined to the kitchen. But this magnesium-rich herb is an underestimated and overlooked mineral that can boost hundreds of the chemical processes that occur daily within the body.

Why is basil good for your hair?

When applied to your scalp in the form of a herbal rinse, basil can strengthen the hair from the root. It also helps to reduce inflammation on the scalp as well as improve circulation within the hair follicles, helping to stimulate hair growth.

It’s also been used as a treatment for dandruff. Research suggests basil root extract use can reduce hair loss by up to 26% in the first month of use.

How to use basil in your haircare routine

You can buy basil oil from many health food stores and pharmacies. Massage a small amount of basil oil into your scalp to stimulate blood flow.

The benefits of lavender on hair

Lavender has been used for centuries to help soothe and calm, relieving headaches and stress. But did you know it can also be used to keep hair healthy?

Why is lavender good for your hair?

Lavender oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory, as well as an antiseptic and antimicrobial substance. It can also work as a repellent for lice, ticks, mosquitos, and fleas. Research has shown that lavender oil successfully promotes hair growth in mice, paving the way for further human research into lavender as a natural hair growth treatment. [8]

How to use lavender for your hair

Lavender oil is readily available online or in many health food shops, pharmacies and supermarkets. Massage a few drops into your scalp to boost circulation and balance your natural hair oils.

Liquorice root

Glycosides, triterpene saponins, and flavonoids are found naturally in liquorice root. When applied to the scalp, they nourish the area and the hair root.

Why is liquorice good for your hair?

Liquorice root cleanses the scalp and heals damage caused by skin conditions such as eczema and fungal infections. Liquorice has been shown to be a powerful cleansing agent that also has the potential to treat hair and scalp problems. [9] It can also repair damage caused by chemicals in hair dye and other products.

How to use liquorice in your haircare routine

Liquorice root can be made into a very effective root cleanser by simmering it in water until the roots steep.

Other vitamins and supplements

Eating a healthy diet has a big impact on the health of your hair. Like the rest of your body, your hair and scalp feed off nutrients from the food you eat, so if you are eating poorly, your hair will suffer. Learn more about what the best foods to eat for hair growth.

Eating a healthy and balanced diet is good for your health but eating food rich in antioxidants, vitamin B, iron, zinc, protein, silica and calcium will give your hair a helping hand to grow thick and healthy. Some evidence also suggests cinnamon oil can promote hair growth and chili oil is good for hair growth [10] [11].

What can I do about pattern hair loss?

Even with the best diets and the support of supplements like marshmallow root, hair thinning and hair loss can happen. For many people who are susceptible to female or male pattern baldness, it’s inevitable that you’ll begin to lose hair.

Vitamin therapies, laser hair loss treatment, essential oils, and other hair loss treatments can help. Take a look at the best essential oils to stimulate hair growth without invasive treatment or book a consultation with a hair loss specialist to discuss your treatment options.