Ginger for Hair Growth: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

Ginger might spice up your stir-fry or make a delicious tea — but do you know that many people also use ginger for hair growth?

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has traditionally been used to treat nausea, skin concerns, and inflammatory conditions. Ginger essential oil is also said to be one of the best oils for hair growth.

Unfortunately, though, not all of these uses are based in fact.

Let’s look at the (reported) benefits of ginger for hair, how to use it, and some science-backed treatments for hair loss.

Ginger has some promising natural properties, but we need to be honest: there’s not much research to definitively prove that ginger helps with hair growth, scalp conditions, or any other issues.

Let’s look at the alleged benefits of ginger for hair below.

1. May Stimulate Hair Growth

Some research suggests ginger could stimulate hair growth. The problem? This research is sparse and far from conclusive. Let’s look at a few of these studies.

A 2019 study looked at 96 men with androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness). All participants were taking finasteride, a hair loss treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The researchers gave half the participants ginger shampoo, while the others used regular shampoo. After six months of treatment, those who used ginger shampoo experienced more hair growth.

A 2024 study examined the effects of cedrol, a compound found in ginger, on hair growth. It found that cedrol could improve hair growth for people with certain hair loss conditions. The study also found that ingesting cedrol orally might be more effective than using it topically.

These studies suggest, but don’t definitively prove, that ginger might help support hair growth. To verify this further, we’d need more human clinical studies.

You might have also heard that ginger helps with hair growth because it improves blood flow in the scalp. Better blood circulation means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your hair follicles, which could promote healthier hair. Unfortunately, this is an unproven claim.

The bottom line? People claim ginger can stimulate healthy hair growth, but science has yet to confirm it.

2. Has Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Ginger has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may benefit your scalp.

Your body is constantly exposed to free radicals, which can accumulate and cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can damage your cells, including those involved in hair growth.

A 2020 study looked at 20 people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. It found that consuming ginger might help reduce oxidative stress in the hair follicles.

3. May Treat Scalp Conditions

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.

Inflammatory scalp conditions – whether caused by infections or skin problems like psoriasis — can hinder the hair growth cycle.

Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like gingerols and shogaols. According to a 2022 review, this could make ginger helpful in treating inflammatory diseases, including skin diseases.

Most of the research cited in this review involved taking ginger as an oral supplement, not applying it topically to the skin. It’s also unclear what the “ideal” dosage of ginger should be — future research might reveal more.

Ginger also has antibacterial and antifungal properties — which is why it’s been used as an antiseptic in some traditions — so it might protect against certain scalp infections.

Some studies suggest ginger effectively fights bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and fungi like Candida albicans. However, there’s no evidence that ginger could protect against Malassezia yeast infections, which often cause dandruff.

While more research is needed — you might be seeing a theme — ginger might indirectly support healthier hair by protecting your scalp against certain microbes and inflammation.

If you’re curious about adding ginger to your hair care routine, there are a few ways to try it.

• Ginger essential oil. Mix ginger oil with a carrier oil and apply it to your scalp. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and rinse it out thoroughly.

• Ground ginger. Mix ginger powder with hair-friendly oil and use it as a scalp treatment or hair mask.

• Fresh ginger juice. Grate fresh ginger root and squeeze out the juice. Add it to your shampoo or conditioner, or mix it with water to make a hair rinse.

• Ginger-infused hair products. If DIY isn’t your thing, you can buy shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks containing ginger extract.

• Ginger supplements. Want an easy way to get a decent dose of ginger every day? Consider using a ginger supplement.

• Ginger in food. The simplest (and tastiest) way to ingest ginger is by adding it to your food. Add ginger powder to your curries, roasts, and smoothies, or make a tea with fresh ginger root.

Ginger is pretty strong, so it’s important to dilute it with a carrier oil like olive oil or jojoba oil. These hair oils also have moisturizing properties, which can help prevent dryness, breakage, and frizz.

Since there’s a lack of research on ginger for hair health, it’s not clear whether it’s best to use it orally or topically.

Ginger is generally quite safe and is not associated with many side effects. But like pretty much any substance, it has potential downsides.

Side effects of ginger can include:

• Scalp sensitivity. Ginger’s active compounds can be potent and may cause irritation or a burning sensation on sensitive skin. Always dilute ginger oil or juice and do a patch test before applying it to your scalp.

• Dryness. Overusing ginger-based treatments can lead to dryness, which puts you at risk of damaged hair, breakage, and split ends. Add hydration to your hair with products like conditioners or hair oils.

• Allergic reactions. Ginger allergies are rare but possible. If you notice redness, swelling, or itching after using ginger, discontinue use immediately.

As with all supplements, we recommend that you consult a healthcare professional before taking a ginger supplement.

Here’s the thing about hair loss: it usually gets worse over time.

So, if you notice any signs of hair loss — like thinning hair or excessive hair fall — skip unproven home remedies and opt for clinically proven treatments instead. You can always use ginger-infused products as a complementary therapy.

When it comes to scientifically backed hair loss treatments, you could try:

• Minoxidil. Topical minoxidil is an FDA-approved topical treatment that stimulates hair regrowth and prolongs the growth phase of the hair cycle. You can buy minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution over the counter.

• Finasteride. This oral medication reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone associated with male pattern baldness. Finasteride is a prescription-only medication.

• A combo treatment. Using minoxidil and finasteride together is both safe and very effective for hair loss. Our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray offers a convenient way to get both treatments in one.

You might also consider:

• Supplements. Your body needs nutrients to grow healthy hair. While it’s best to get these nutrients from a healthy, balanced diet, supplements — like our biotin gummies — might help if you have a nutrient deficiency.

• DHT-blocking shampoos. Hair care products with saw palmetto or ketoconazole might help reduce scalp DHT levels. We offer a thickening shampoo enriched with saw palmetto.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP injections stimulate dormant hair follicles and encourage regrowth. This is a newer type of hair loss treatment.

• Hair transplant surgery. They may be costly, but hair transplants are an effective, permanent solution for significant hair loss.

Wanna learn more? Read our blog post on healthy hair care tips for men and our guide to natural hair growth solutions.

Ginger might offer some benefits for your scalp and hair, but you can’t count on it to slow down hair loss.

Here’s the low-down on ginger for hair:

• Ginger isn’t a hair loss cure. There’s no solid scientific evidence that ginger helps reduce hair loss or directly promotes hair growth.

• But it may have some benefits. Its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties might create a healthier scalp environment — but more research is needed.

• Instead, try science-backed hair loss treatments. Clinically proven treatments — particularly minoxidil and finasteride — remain the gold standard for tackling significant hair loss.

In other words, you’re better off using ginger as a supporting player for improved scalp health and hair appearance rather than a star treatment for hair loss.

If you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare provider ASAP.  You can book a virtual consultation via our platform now.