How To Use Ghee For Hair Care

Using ghee for hair treatments or conditioning may seem like an odd thing to some people because it is essentially clarified butter. It is made by heating traditional butter until most of the moisture is removed and the milk solids separate from the butterfat. After the milk solids are strained away, what is left is ghee. Ghee is a liquid when warmed but turns semi-hard or like a thick paste at room temperature. It is commonly used in India and surrounding areas for cooking. However, it is becoming increasingly popular in the United States for an alternative to butter or cooking oils. So, why use ghee on your hair?

How To Use Ghee For Your Hair

As stated above, ghee is a  thick paste when cold. This makes it difficult to work with at room temperature, especially when you are trying to apply it to your hair. There are three options that we recommend:

• Heat ghee to about 100-110°F using the lowest setting on your stove. This is usually simmer or low on most stoves. As the ghee heats, watch it closely until the texture becomes soft enough to work into your hair. Obviously, check to be sure the ghee is not too hot before applying it. Apply the ghee directly to your hair and let it sit for 45 minutes to an hour before rinsing it out with water or a mild shampoo.
• Alternatively, you can mix the ghee with a natural oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. Use two parts ghee to one part oil. Heating the ghee likely will not be necessary but it can be done if you choose.  Again, let this mixture sit on your hair for 45 minutes to an hour before rinsing.
• Another easy method is to use your existing conditioner as a mixture with ghee. Similar to above, use two parts ghee to one part conditioner.

Ghee Benefits For Hair

• People report that ghee provides a softness to their hair and does a better job of moisturizing than commercially available hair products.
• People also report that ghee does an excellent job at untangling stubborn hair messes. Ghee can provide smooth, manageable hair after use.
• Ghee creates a natural shine after application that is described as being superior to many shampoos and conditioners.
• Ghee is natural so you are not exposed to potentially harmful ingredients from manufactured or chemically produced hair products.
•  It is specifically effective in conditioning extremely dry hair or hair with split ends.

Downsides To Using Ghee

• Ghee is in fact clarified butter, which is not exactly an ideal product to apply to your body. For many people, it is best left for flavoring meals as is the norm. You are going to end up smelling like butter which isn’t as good as it might sound to some. Additionally, since it is a butter (fat), there is an element to grease to deal with, which can be unpleasant.
• Ghee can be pricey if you do not make it yourself. This is especially true if you opt for organic, pure or desi types of ghee. A jar can cost $20.00 plus when regular shampoos and conditioners can be purchased for a fraction of the cost.