You probably love your okra fried as a comfort food. I cook it with beef stew and eat it with white rice. But did you know that you can also use it on your hair? Okra is not only for eating. It contains nutrients that can promote hair health. I have a quick DIY Okra moisturizer for you. It can be used as a moisturizer or as a gel. I used Okra rinse back home when I was a teenager, but what pushed me to use it again is the fact that my daughter is allergic to wheat, and most conditioners have wheat grass in them. This is an efficient and affordable way to get her hair moisturized without compromising her health.
Okra Nutrition (roughly half a cup of cooked Okra contains)
* Calories = 15
* Dietary Fiber = 2 grams
* Protein = 1.5 grams
* Carbohydrates = 5.8 grams
* Vitamin A = 460 IU
* Vitamin C = 13 mg
* Folic acid = 36.5 micrograms
* Calcium = 50 mg
* Iron = 0.4 mg
* Potassium = 256 mg
* Magnesium = 46 mg
You can boil the okra if you want, but you will get a green-ish color when you boil it, and I don’t like that. I also think you get more out of it when you let it soak in plain water overnight. I recommend keeping it in the fridge before straining it. You can add tea tree oil for preservation, coconut oil, or any oil that that easily penetrates the hair. How much water you add depends on the amount of hold that you want. Add less water if you want a thicker consistency.
- As a rinse: Soak 4-6 okras in two cups of water the night before you wash your hair. Separate the Okras from the water, and use the water to rinse your hair after rinsing your conditioner out. Let your hair air dry, and proceed with your leave-ins.
- As a moisturizer: Use any remaining Okra moisturizer you have in your fridge, Apply it to your hair, followed by the oil of your choice, and add a creamy leave-in as needed.
- As a gel: Make sure you have the thickest consistency possible by cutting the okras in half and soak them overnight in the fridge. Don’t forget to use a strainer to separate the okra/seeds from the gel. Just add the gel to your hair, add a little bit of coconut oil, and twist. You will have the best twist-out possible. It may not last as long as regular gels, but it will give you at least a day or two.
Wow I never heard of this great tip thanks for sharing.
http://tifi11.blogspot.com
wow, it works even for hair!!
http://www.bonjourchiara.com
Bonjourchiara
Facebook Page
Wow this is new to me. I love Okra but never knew you could use it for hair. Thanks for sharing.
effortlesslady.blogspot.ca
You are a wealth of information and I come to your blog everyday to read and learn. Thanks a Bunch!!
Nope I didn't know that. Thx for sharing.
kisses darling
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
I absolutely love Okra and cook it just like you either with beef or chicken served with rice! I read about okra for hair on a forum a while back but never gave it much thought but after this post I just might try it. Great post Nerline!
This is really informative and deserves to be pinned! Learn something new, everyday 🙂
http://www.thestyleboro.com
I love okra and stew too but never thought okra would be great as a hair moisturizer.
Nice tip.
You are a boss with your info! I LOVE okra but ahem, not on my hair. Can you believe that? I finally put hair aside for once. I love sauteed okra…good ole southern comfort food. Lol Can you tell, I love to eat!
I had no idea you can use Okra in your hair. Thanks for sharing.
Never knew that okra also helps for healthy hair.
Thnks for informing.
xx Lori
http://fabeau-trends.blogspot.de
I also grew up eating okra and nobody told me it could be used as a moisturizer. Impressive! I learn new things everyday. Thanks for the info Nerline.
P.S. I'm sorry to hear your daughter is allergic to wheat.
http://www.thefashionstirfry.com
Wow. This is the first I'm hearing about okra as a hair product. Who knew 🙂
I totally forgot about that! I use to use it for rinse too, great slip and shine, never thought about using it as gel.thanks for sharing!