Is Flaxseed Good For Your Hair?

Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant — a flowering plant originating from Egypt (via Everyday Health). Cultivated all over the world, the plant's golden-brown seeds have long been used for both cooking and medicinal purposes. According to Everyday Health, the flax plant was once used to make clothing when it was first cultivated in North America, but now its seeds are used to add nutrients to a variety of foods. While flaxseed is more commonly found in bread and cereal, it can be incorporated into many different dishes and baked goods, including scones, oatmeal, bundt cake, salad dressing, and even smoothies. 

Flaxseed has also been linked to a number of important health benefits. That's because flaxseed is full of fiber, protein, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), flaxseed can help aid digestion, lower LDL cholesterol levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and keep you feeling full longer (via Everyday Health). In addition, flaxseed may also help manage breast cancer due to the seed's polyphenol compounds. 

But just as flaxseed is linked to many important nutritional benefits, it may also help improve the texture and quality of your hair. While further research is still needed, experts at Healthline agree that flaxseed oil may benefit your hair when applied topically or when you regularly consume ground flaxseed. To use topically, massage a small amount into your scalp. For best use, leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse and shampoo.

Doing this on a regular basis can lead to many important benefits for your hair. Flaxseed oil can help relieve irritation in the scalp and even promote the health of your hair follicles. That's because flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which contain anti-inflammatory properties, according to Byrdie. 

Since flaxseed is also rich in lignans — a type of plant-based antioxidant — it can help improve the way your hair looks and feels. "Lignans have very high antioxidant qualities and keep hair dense, shiny, and can maximize volume and elasticity," Craig Ziering, a board-certified dermatologist, hair transplant surgeon, and restoration specialist in West Hollywood, California, told Byrdie. Other antioxidants found in flaxseed oil, such as vitamin E, can ward off free radicals and help protect your scalp and hair cells against damage. As an oil, flaxseed can also help moisturize and hydrate your hair.