Technique Thursday: DIY All Natural Okra Moisturizer

               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 

Relaxed Thairapy

             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.

3 ways you can use Okra on  your hair
  1. 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. 
  2. 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. 
  3. 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. 
Have you used this supper food on your hair before?
Share with someone who needs this:
Follow:
Nerline Germain
Nerline Germain

I am a content writer and Amazon influencer, but I am first a wife and mother. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading a good book while having a nice glass of Merlot or Pinot close by. My goal here is to share my experiences with you. Hopefully, you will learn from my mistakes.

Find me on: Web | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook

14 Comments

  1. Diana Ashuayem
    May 29, 2014 / 1:53 pm

    Wow this is new to me. I love Okra but never knew you could use it for hair. Thanks for sharing.
    effortlesslady.blogspot.ca

  2. Kurves
    May 29, 2014 / 4:39 pm

    You are a wealth of information and I come to your blog everyday to read and learn. Thanks a Bunch!!

  3. Lenya
    May 29, 2014 / 7:47 pm

    Nope I didn't know that. Thx for sharing.
    kisses darling
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

  4. Lydz@Crowning Glory
    May 29, 2014 / 9:23 pm

    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!

  5. May 30, 2014 / 1:28 am

    I love okra and stew too but never thought okra would be great as a hair moisturizer.
    Nice tip.

  6. Divachyk // Relaxed Thairapy
    May 30, 2014 / 2:38 am

    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!

  7. Beautetude
    May 30, 2014 / 3:51 am

    I had no idea you can use Okra in your hair. Thanks for sharing.

  8. May 31, 2014 / 4:44 am

    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

  9. Ofthecomely. blogspot.com
    June 4, 2014 / 4:33 am

    Wow. This is the first I'm hearing about okra as a hair product. Who knew 🙂

  10. October 6, 2015 / 1:09 pm

    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!

Instagram