When I first came across poppy seed oil, I had a completely different idea in my mind about what it was and its effects based on the literal meaning. Turned out I was wrong.
The poppy plant has been used medicinally and for culinary purposes for thousands of years.
The poppy plant is grown primarily in Europe and Asia. Nowadays, the largest producers of poppy seeds are Germany and France.
In this article, I share the benefits of poppy seed oil for hair, two poppy seed oil recipes for treating dandruff, and where to buy the best poppy seed oil.
Poppy Seed Oil
Poppyseed oil is derived from the small seeds inside the opium poppy aka Papaver somniferum.
The seeds are obtained once the pods are dried out and free of any narcotic side effects.
Poppy seeds have a nutty pleasant taste while poppyseed oil is high in vitamin E, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid.
Poppyseed oil is used as lamp oil, varnish, in paintings, and soap making.
What Are Poppy Seeds Used For?
- Poppy seeds can be used to garnish dishes such as toast, potatoes, salads, pastries, and noddles.
- Poppy seeds are used to top baking ideas such as bagels, muffins, bread, and cakes.
- Poppy seeds can be used as a condiment for almost any dish as they add a nutty flavor.
Bread topped with poppy seeds
Poppy Seed Oil Benefits for Hair
1. Treats Dandruff
Poppy seed oil can help calm down and eliminate dandruff on the scalp when combined with certain active ingredients.
2. Contains Essential B Vitamins
Poppy seed oil contains a significant amount of essential B vitamins – thiamine, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid.
These B vitamins are all essential to healthier hair growth.
B vitamins are part of the vitamins needed for hair growth, which is covered in greater detail in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide.
How to Treat Dandruff with Poppy Seed Oil
You can use poppy seed oil or poppy seeds to treat dandruff. I have shared two methods below.
You can test both to see which one will work better for your dandruff issues:-
Poppy Seeds Treatment for Dandruff
Ingredients
- 1 cup of poppy seeds like Foods to Live By Poppy Seeds or Spicy World Poppy Seeds
- 3 – 4 tablespoons of curd
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon of white pepper
- Seed and nut grinder. You can use the mill attached to your blender if you have one.
Seed and Nut Grinder
Directions
- Grind the poppy seeds and pour into a plastic bowl.
- Add the curd, cayenne pepper, and white pepper.
- Whisk into a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste to your scalp and massage in thoroughly.
- Cover with a disposable cap and leave on for 30 – 45 minutes then wash out with a mild diluted shampoo.
- Deep condition and style as usual.
- Use once a week till your dandruff issue is solved.
Poppy Seed Oil Dandruff Treatment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of poppy seed oil
- 5 drops each of peppermint essential oil, rosemary essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil.
Directions
- Mix the poppyseed oil with the essential oils in a bottle. Close and shake.
- Let the mix stand for 10 – 20 minutes then apply to your scalp and massage in thoroughly. You don’t have to use the entire mix if you have shorter hair. You can keep it for the next treatment.
- Cover your head with a disposable cap and wrap a damp hot towel around your head.
- Leave on for an hour then wash out with a mild shampoo then deep condition your hair.
Poppyseed oil is a drying oil and should be used sparingly as a part of a regimen that involves washing it out before deep conditioning.
Where to Buy Poppy Seed Oil?
Poppyseed oil is sometimes adulterated with cheap edible oils such as sunflower oil. Always look for 100% cold-pressed poppy seed oil.
Below are my top 3 recommendations for poppy seed oil brands.
I have tried 3 of them but they all come highly recommended based on my research:-
Rejuvenative Foods Organic Poppy Seed Oil
PÖDÖR Premium Poppy Seed Oil
Mystic Moments Poppy Seed Carrier Oil
Poppy Seed Oil Side Effects
There are no serious side effects to poppy seed oil but if you are allergic to poppy seeds, its best to avoid poppy seed oil.
There are no narcotic effects in poppy seed oil as the processing method completely removes these properties.
You May Like This
- How to Grow Your Hair Healthy & Long with Natural Oils
- The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide: Stop Hair Loss. Regrow Bald Spots. Fill in Thin Areas.
- Tea Rinsing Secrets for Healthy Hair Growth
- 365 Days of Moisture for Dry & Parched Hair
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