Recently I’ve been researching recipes for a DIY scalp detox. For some reason I am loosing a tremendous amount of hair. I’ve used various oils in my shampoos all to no avail. In wondering why these things were not working I decided that perhaps I should detox my scalp much like I detox my body with ginger, epsom salts and baking soda in the bathtub. All of the recipes called for cinnamon which contains EUGENOL. Eugenol I thought. I know something with a ton of Eugenol. CLOVE OIL. That’s the ticket. That being said, here is some great information I found on Dr. Axe’s page. I believe I am on the right track. Also included is the scalp detox recipe with instructions. Substitute 1 drop of clove oil for the cinnamon.
Indigenous to Indonesia and Madagascar, cloves (Eugenia caryophyllata) can be found in nature as the unopened pink flower buds of the evergreen tree.
Picked by hand the buds are dried until they turn brown and, after grinding them, the powder is used in cooking or converted into an essential oil for various medicinal purposes.
Unlike most other spices, cloves can be grown throughout the entire year, which has given native tribes that use it a distinct advantage over other cultures because the health benefits can be enjoyed more readily.
Considerably high in manganese (126.4%) and other nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and calcium – which is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, anemia and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) some other benefits of clove essential oil includes:
- Eliminates acne
- Kills parasites
- Improves blood circulation
- Reduces gum disease
- Boosts energy
- Natural anti-inflammatory
- Kills mold and fungus
History tells us that the Chinese have used clove for more than 2,000 years as a fragrance and spice and that it hit the international health scene several hundred years later. Since then, it has been applied in numerous products for agricultural and cosmetic purposes.
The most profound properties of clove oil, however, are related to its widespread application in homeopathic natural medicine. Because it contains an elevated level of eugenol, clove essential oil has proven to be remarkably versatile and has been thoroughly researched as an effective alternative to many modern medical treatments.
Clove Oil Uses
Although it has been suspected for centuries to treat inflammatory conditions, the Journal of Immunotoxicology just recently published the first ever study proving that the eugenol in clove oil is indeed a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Showing that low doses of eugenol can protect the liver against disease, it was also observed that eugenol reverses inflammation and cellular oxidation (which causes aging). It was also observed that taking large doses internally could harm the digestive lining and externally can irritate sensitive skin
Because of it’s strength, clove oil should be mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil or other gentle oils for most topical applications and only used for short periods of up to two weeks internally.
In addition to being a proven anti-inflammatory, clove oil is commonly used as an antiseptic for oral infections and as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial to keep countless diseases at bay.
Clove Oil Benefits
The health benefits of clove oil are vast and include supporting the health of your liver, skin, hair and mouth. But below are the 3 most common ways clove oil is used medicinally today.
1. Clove Oil For Skin and Acne
To evaluate the its effectiveness as an antibacterial agent researchers from the University of Buenos Aires set out to determine which bacteria are most sensitive to clove’s potency.
According to their study, clove has the greatest anti-microbial ability over E. coli and also exerted considerable control over Staph aureus which causes acne and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which causes pneumonia.
As a natural remedy to eliminate acne, take 3 drops clove oil and mix with 2 tsp raw honey. Mix together and wash your face or you can also try tea tree oil face wash.
2. Cloves For Candida
One of the most power applications of clove is to fight candida; something that I have spoken of at length, and something that continues to plague Americans because of their high-sugar, acidic diets.
Published in the journal, Oral Microbiology & Immunology, a study was conducted to see how it fared against other anti-fungal treatments and observed that clove was as effective as nystatin, a drug commonly prescribed to manage yeast infections of the mouth (thrush) and includes a slew of ugly side effects.
Also, in addition to eliminating candida, clove essential oil is effective at killing intestinal parasites and an effective treatment for a short-term parasite cleanse. To do a candida cleanse, you can take clove oil internally for 2 weeks but I recommend being under the care of a physician or nutritionist when doing this. Also, consume large amounts of probiotic rich foods and eliminate processed sugar and grains for a time.
3. Clove Oil For Toothaches
The well-known remedy of using clove oil for toothaches was first documented in 1640 in the French “Practice of Physic,” although there is reason to believe that the Chinese were applying this homeopathic for over 2,000 years.
Today, clove is widely accepted as a reliable solution for dry socket and for relieving the pain and discomfort associated with various dental disorders.
The Journal of Dentistry, for instance, published a study in 2006 proving that clove essential oil had the same numbing effect as benzocaine, a topical agent commonly used before needle insertion. For this reason, you can use clove oil for teething with infants by mixing it with coconut oil and rubbing it on the gums.
Additionally, research has suggested that clove oil has even more far-reaching effects. The Indian Department of Public Health Dentistry recently conducted a study that evaluated clove’s ability to slow tooth decalcification (“dental erosion”) compared to eugenol, eugenyl-acetate, fluoride and a control group.
Not only did clove oil lead the pack by “significantly” decreasing decalcification, it was observed that it actually remineralized teeth. This study highlights, yet again, that the so-called benefits of fluoridating our water supply and mainstream dental products is not worth the risk.
As I have covered at length in previous articles, why take the risk of using a fluoride product, when clove can accomplish the same goal? If you haven’t already, check out my article for an easy, healthy remineralizing toothpaste recipe that will help you steer clear of the dangers of fluoride products!
4. Cloves Antioxidant Value
Second only to raw sumac bran, ground clove has the astounding ORAC value of 290,283 units!
That value means per gram cloves contain 30x more anti-oxidants than blueberries which have a value of 9,621.
In a nutshell, antioxidants are molecules that reverse the damage that free radicals cause including cell death and cancer. Research has shown that antioxidants slow aging, degeneration and protect the body against bad bacteria and viruses.
Because of it’s high antioxidant count and eugenol levels, clove is also known as the ultimate “protective” herb and has been used in essential oil blends such as “OnGuard” and “Thieves”.
History tells us that clove oil was one of the main essential oils that protected people from getting the Bubonic Plague in Europe. A group of robbers were caught by the the king and he asked them why they weren’t ill or dead from the plague exposure they said it was because they covered themselves with this protective blend of oils which included clove.
So adding some cloves or clove oil to your health regime could be good to naturally boost your antioxidant levels. For longterm use cinnamon is another great herb that can be added into your everyday diet to increase your antioxidant intake.
If you want to harness the benefits of clove oil, consider diffusing it in your home to clean the air, put it on gums around an aching tooth, put it in homemade personal care products like deodorant, cleaner and toothpaste, or if you are exposed to people with a cold or flu, mix it with coconut oil and rub it on your neck and chest for natural antioxidant protection.
https://draxe.com/clove-oil-uses-benefits/
So, here is what I will be trying. I found this on The Indian Spot and will be substituting the cinnamon with Clove Oil.
Clean hair follicles are important to maintain healthy hair and promote hair growth. Hair products that you use on a daily basis can cause clogged pores, product build up and dead skin that accumulate in your scalp can cause your hair to look dull, greasy as well as result in slower hair growth.
Detox your scalp to get beautiful hair
Scalp detox treatment includes a mask and a scalp massage that helps to exfoliate the scalp, remove any build up to let your scalp breath. The mask helps to detoxify the hair follicles, roots, oil glands and scalp.
For a detox mask, you will need:
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
Direction:
- Use a generous amount of the mask on your scalp
- Using your finger tips massage your scalp in gentle circular motion.
- Wrap a shower cap around your hair such that it covers your scalp and hair completely.
- Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes.
- Shampoo and condition as usual
Massaging your scalp with your finger tips helps stimulate your scalp, increase circulation, and helps remove dead skin cells that could be clogging the pores. The detox treatment can keep your scalp healthy and prevent the hair follicles from becoming polluted with buildup and oil. (Be sure to consult with a doctor before trying this alternative treatment, especially if you have a sensitive scalp.)
Finish your detox treatment off with a apple cider vinegar rinse. Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar will help kill the bacteria that causes dandruff and itchy scalp. The rinse will leave your scalp clean and healthy, giving your hair extra shine.
ACV Hair tonic/rinse:
To use, as a rinse by diluting 1 part vinegar to 2/3 parts water or just pour it in a bottle and spray it all over the hair after shampoo, massage it into the scalp for few mins and rinse off.
Don’t add a lot of apple cider vinegar as it can actually give a burning sensation on your scalp. You can use the ratio 1:2 of apple vinegar to water, if using the ingredient alone.
Give it a try. I’m predicting wonderful results!
The Oily Guru