Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) belongs to the palm family. Spanish explorers named them cocos meaning ‘grinning face’ because of the three little eyes on the base which they thought resembled a monkey.
Coconut milk is one of the world’s healthiest foods. It is considered as a miracle liquid because it boosts the body’s immunity levels. When a coconut becomes mature, the water inside is replaced with coconut meat. So the mature coconuts are better producers of coconut milk.
Coconut Milk Nutrition
Coconut milk contains a medium chained fatty acid called lauric acid which is easily absorbed and used by the body to produce energy.
A quarter cup of coconut milk contains:
- 1.5 grams protein
- 14 grams fat
- 138 calories
- 2 grams sugar
- 60 milligrams phosphorus
- 3.9 milligrams iron
- 22 milligrams magnesium
- 0.55 milligrams manganese
- 157 milligrams potassium
- 0.15 milligrams copper
Coconut contains vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6. Full-fat coconut milk contains all the natural fatty acids, but it is high in calories. Light coconut milk is low in calorie and thinner because some of the fat get removed by straining.
Proteins. Your hair is made of proteins, lack of proteins leads to thinning of hair. Coconut milk is rich in proteins and its usage results in thick and bouncy locks.
Lauric Acid. Lauric acid present in coconut milk binds with the hair proteins and strengthens the hair. It stops the breakage of hair due to thinning.
Vitamin E and Iron. The vitamin E and iron present in coconut milk brings softness and shine to your hair strands and helps in hair growth. It contributes to maintaining the integrity of cell membranes of hair follicles. The Vitamin E penetrates into the hair shaft and keeps it conditioned from within.
Magnesium. Coconut milk is rich in magnesium. It promotes hair growth by proper nourishment. Magnesium helps to calm the nervous system and maintains normal blood pressure.
This action of the coconut milk reduces the hair problems because researchers have found a strong association between baldness and high blood pressure.
Phosphorous. It helps in hair regrowth.
Potassium. It prevents hair loss.
Manganese. It helps the hair to become thick and strong.
Copper. Copper is essential for hair growth. The copper peptides reverse and prevent the graying of hair because they help in melanin pigment production. Copper is essential for maintaining a healthy scalp.
Preparation Of Homemade Coconut Milk
You need to purchase fresh, mature coconuts and can make coconut milk at home. Look for coconuts in the refrigerated section of the health food stores.
You can also try using coconut meat that’s been removed from the shell already. See to it that coconut meat is vacuum sealed or opened within the past three days. The fresher the coconut the longer the milk lasts.
Crack open a coconut using a sturdy cleaver, hammer or a heavy knife.
Strain the water out and keep it for smoothies or other refreshing drinks.
Remove the coconut kernel from its shell by hitting the back of the coconut with a hammer or a paring knife until the meat falls off from the shell.
Wash the coconut meat well and cut it into small pieces. Grind the meat into a coarse mixture without adding water. Add ¾ cup of water, and grind for 1-2 minutes.
Strain the mixture using a small eyed strainer or muslin cloth. Squeeze or press the pulp to extract the milk. The resulting liquid is the thick coconut milk.
To get the thin milk grind the pulp again using water and extract the liquid.
You can watch this video for better understanding to gain some hands on experience.
Bottle your milk and store in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
DIY Coconut Milk Cream
Break open the coconut and collect the coconut water. Put the coconut meat into a grinder.
Add the coconut water and a few spoons of cold milk. Avoid adding regular water.
Grind the coconut meat into a smooth paste. In a bowl place a sieve and cover it with cheesecloth. Extract all the milk by pressing hard as you can.
To turn the coconut milk into cream, squeeze a lemon into the milk. Leave it in the fridge for fermentation overnight. Otherwise, cover and leave it for an hour in a warm place.
Apply the resulting coconut cream from roots to hair. If your hair is very frizzy, add glycerin to the coconut cream. This video tutorial will give you a clearer picture about the preparation of coconut cream.
Coconut Milk for Dandruff
Mostly dandruff is caused by the dry scalp. In the initial stages, if you do a hot oil massage, dandruff will just vanish. Sometimes dandruff may become infected with bacteria or fungus and may cause itching. If you scratch it, the problem will become much worse.
You can apply the coconut cream to your scalp with your fingertips. Avoid washing your hair before the application of the coconut cream. Gently apply the mask and massage the scalp for 10-20 minutes. Wash it off.
Continue this treatment for a few days. Avoid using shampoo when you’re applying coconut cream. The coconut milk makes your hair a bit oily, but it will solve your dandruff problem.
Coconut Milk for Dry, Damaged Hair
Pure Coconut Hair Mask
Ingredients:
One can of unsweetened coconut milk. You can buy from health stores or can prepare it at home.
A few drops of essential oils.
Method:
Pour the coconut milk into a bowl and refrigerate it overnight, so that it hardens. Section your hair into 3-5 portions.
Apply the coconut milk from roots to end. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave for 20 minutes.
If you have dry ends, use the mask to ¾ of hair, keeping it off the scalp.
Coconut Milk and Avocado Hair Mask
Ingredients:
3 tbsp coconut milk
One tsp honey
½ avocado
Method:
Wet your hair and comb the mask thoroughly from roots to ends.
Cover with plastic, shower cap or a towel. Leave for 10-30 minutes and wash your hair.
Even if you leave for 5 minutes, this mask nourishes your hair thoroughly.
Infused Olive Oil, Coconut Milk Hair Mask
Ingredients:
1 cup olive oil
3 tbsp dried rosemary leaves
½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
Preparation of Infused Olive Oil:
Combine the olive oil and rosemary leaves in an airtight ball jar for 4-8 weeks. If you don’t have time, you can gently heat the rosemary in the olive oil for 2-4 hours in a water bath or double boiler.
Method:
You can make the hair mask by combining ½ cup of the infused olive oil and ½ cup of the coconut milk.
Apply this mask to your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly. You may use a natural shampoo after this hot oil treatment.
Coconut Milk For Hair Conditioning
Coconut Milk- Lavender Hair Conditioning Spray
Ingredients:
½ cup coconut milk
1 cup distilled water
Few drops lavender oil
One tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
Method:
Gently mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle and mist it all over your hair. The coconut milk mist will leave your hair soft, shiny and moisturized.
Coconut Milk Pre-poo Treatment
Pre-poo is a mixture of conditioners such as butter, oils, creams and fruit applied to your hair before washing. Pre-poo helps detangle your hair and makes it incredibly manageable and ready for manipulation.
If you suffer from dry hair then pre-poo will be your best bet because it is made from oils and conditioners that will shield your hair from dryness that shampoos can bring.
Coconut Milk Pre-Poo
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons coconut milk
3 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons honey
Method:
Mix all the above ingredients and apply onto your hair.
Cover with a shower cap and leave it for 20-30 minutes before washing.
This process leaves your hair extra conditioned if your locks are prone to dryness.
Coconut Milk For Bald Spot Or Hair Loss
Alopecia areata is a skin disorder. It causes hair loss usually in patches on the scalp. It can cause low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and other emotional issues.
Since coconut milk contains nutrients that help in hair growth, you can use it regularly for hair regrowth in the affected areas.
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut milk
Two tablespoons camphor oil
½ cup yogurt
Method:
Mix the ingredients and massage it gently into the scalp focusing on the problem areas. Allow the mask to sit for 1-2 hours and rinse with warm water.
Let your hair dry naturally and don’t wipe too hard. Repeat the procedure weekly twice to see the beneficial results.
Coconut Milk De-tangler
Tangled hair can lead to breakage, hair loss, and hair damage. Coconut milk works perfectly as a hair de-tangler. Apply the coconut milk into your hair. De-tangle gently with your fingers.
Brush your hair with a wide-toothed comb. You can also add some melted shea butter or oil for added benefit.
Shea butter seals in the moisture without leaving behind residue. Coconut milk and shea butter together make your hair moisturized and soft leaving little or no room for tangles.
Coconut Milk Shampoo For Dry Scalp
The scalp contains sebaceous glands that moisturize your scalp and hair. The sebum they produce may vary depending upon stress, diet, environmental factors, hot water and chemical based hair products.
Low sebum levels can result in the dry and flaky scalp. You can nourish your scalp with coconut milk shampoo.
Ingredients:
¼ cup coconut milk
¼ cup liquid Castille soap
20 drops essential oils of your choice
½ tsp olive or almond oil or vitamin E oil (optional)
Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a jar or in an old shampoo bottle. Shake well to mix. You can keep this shampoo for up to a month.
Shake well before each use and apply about a teaspoon every time you shampoo.
You can use the shampoo as a shaving cream if you store it in a foaming dispenser.
You can use 50:50 mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to rinse the shampoo. It will increase the shine and makes your hair cleaner.
Coconut Milk Masks To Prevent Hair Fall
Coconut Milk AndAmlaOil (Gooseberry) Mask
According to the length of your hair, pour ½ -1 cup of coconut milk into a bowl. Add two teaspoons of amla oil to it. Slightly heat the mixture and massage the warm oil blend onto your scalp.
Let the mixture sit for about ½ an hour and wash it off with a gentle shampoo. This mask will strengthen your hair shafts and significantly reduces hair fall.
Coconut Milk, Aloe Gel and Tulsi (Holy Basil) Hair Pack
Ingredients:
Coconut milk- 1 cup
Aloe gel- 3 tablespoons
Tulsi leaves 5-10 tender leaves
Method:
Prepare the coconut milk. Extract the gel from the aloe leaf. Make a paste from the leaves.
Mix all the ingredients. And make a smooth mixture. Apply onto your hair from the roots to the ends.
Leave the mask for 25 minutes and rinse with warm water. Regular use of this mask will make your hair stronger and prevents hair fall.
Hibiscus And Coconut Milk Mask To Prevent Gray Hair
Boil 10-12 hibiscus flowers in a pan with 2-3 cups of coconut milk for 20 minutes.
Mash the cooked flowers and make a paste.
Massage the paste into your scalp and leave it for 5-10 minutes.
Rinse with strained hibiscus water and finally, wash it off with cold water and natural shampoo.
Repeat three times weekly.
Coconut Milk and Fenugreek Mask for Thick Hair
Fenugreek helps in growing thicker and longer hair because they are rich in phytoestrogens. These natural hormones balance the estrogens and progesterone levels in your blood stream. Healthy hormonal levels result in stronger and thicker hair.
Ingredients:
Dried Amla powder (gooseberry) – 2 teaspoons
You can get the powder in the health stores.
Fenugreek powder-1 tablespoon
Coconut milk- ½ a cup
Method:
Grind one tablespoon of fenugreek into a smooth powder. Add the amla powder and coconut milk.
Make it into a fine paste. Apply onto your hair and leave it for an hour and rinse off with a mild shampoo.
Conclusion
If you are unable to make the coconut milk, get one from here at the best price and perfect for the above usage. Take care to look at the use by dates and check out for any damage or dents in the cans. Once you have opened the can transfer the coconut milk into resealable containers. Refrigerate and use within a few days.
If you’re using fresh homemade coconut milk, then be known that it goes bad very quickly. So use it on the same day as pressing. The high oil content makes the coconut quickly turn rancid, so take care to store the milk properly.
Try the above coconut milk hair recipes and share your valuable experience with us in the comments section below.
For more info on coconut cream, check out these articles:
The Ultimate List of Coconut Tea Benefits
The Ultimate Guide To The Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil
7 Quick Breakfast Meals With Quinoa
How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Hair
