Most of us can remember the good old days when Grandma would drizzle molasses on our oatmeal for breakfast. For generations our grandmothers and mothers have known that molasses not only has a wonderful, sweet taste but that it also is chock full of nutrients.
Molasses naturally contains protein, calcium, iron and several anti-oxidizing minerals, making it the healthiest sweetener available. However, what our foremothers may not have known is that molasses can also be a miracle worker for dried out, stressed hair! That innocuous glass bottle in the pantry is not just a sweetener anymore, it can also be used as an excellent conditioner.
In the Caribbean women have been using molasses to reduce breakage and ward off sun damage in their hair for decades instead of baking it into cookies. Now we have the option of having great tasting baked goods, and naturally strong and soft hair, thanks to molasses.
Making a molasses hair wrap takes a few seconds and results in a gorgeously shiny and moisturized head of hair. It is particularly beneficial for people with weak, thinning or overprocessed hair that has been stripped of its natural oils. The nutrients in molasses help to replace shine and luster to hair that is otherwise dull and lifeless.
1. To get started, warm up a small bowl of molasses in the microwave for 5-10 seconds, depending on how warm you want it. Be careful not to overheat it. The molasses should be warm, not hot, to the touch and slightly less thick. Heating it aids in it being much easier to apply, as it is normally a very thick, viscous liquid. Warming the molasses also enables you to use it as a hot hair treatment, allowing the nutrients to better penetrate into the hair shaft.
2. Once the molasses is warm, apply a half cup of it directly onto wet hair and gently massage it into your scalp using your fingertips. Take an old shower cap or some plastic wrap and place it on your head leaving it on for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. You may leave it on a little longer if you have particularly damaged hair.
3. When your time is up, simply remove the shower cap and rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. When the water starts to run clear, shampoo as usual. You may want to use your regular conditioner, however, you won’t need to as the molasses wrap will have taken care of the moisturizing step already.
4. Rinse the shampoo, dry and style as usual. You will notice that your locks will be shinier, smoother and more manageable right away.
Molasses not only makes your oats, and baked goods taste great, but its also a cheap and easy way to make your hair look and feel amazing. When choosing molasses for both your dietary and beauty needs, your best option is to purchase unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses. If possible, you may even want to make sure it is organic. Organic Blackstrap Molasses is less processed and therefore has been able to retain far more nutrients and minerals than regular molasses which is basically nothing more than sugar. You can find high quality molasses at your local healthfood store or online. Inexpensive, quick, easy and healthy for your body and hair!
