Noah Sinclair
Garlic is believed to have many benefits for nail health. It is rich in selenium, which helps promote nail growth, and is also an antioxidant that may help free up your nails to grow more. Some people advocate for rubbing garlic on your nails, while others suggest using garlic oil or garlic-infused nail polish as a nail mask. Additionally, adjusting your diet and including more colourful vegetables, protein, and healthy fats can help strengthen nails and promote growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Garlic's role in nail growth | Rich in selenium, which promotes nail growth; also an antioxidant |
| How to use it | Rub sliced garlic on nails; add garlic to clear nail polish or basecoat; make garlic oil to use as a nail mask; use nail hardeners with garlic as an ingredient |
| Other remedies | Lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey |
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What You'll Learn
Applying garlic directly to nails
Garlic is rich in selenium, which helps promote nail growth. It is also an antioxidant, so it may help nails grow by overpowering trace toxins.
If you want to apply garlic directly to your nails, you can try the following methods:
Garlic rub
Take a slice of garlic and rub it onto your fingernails. This direct method may be too pungent for some, so a garlic-infused oil can be used as an alternative.
Garlic-infused oil
To make garlic-infused oil, sauté chopped or minced garlic in a pan with olive oil for 10 minutes. Ensure that the oil does not bubble or smoke. Let the oil cool, then strain it into a glass container, discarding the garlic pieces. Massage this oil into your nails and cuticles every night, then rinse it off in the morning. The massage will stimulate blood flow, helping to deliver nutrients to your nails.
Garlic nail mask
Combine two teaspoons of honey with a few drops of lemon juice, then massage the mixture into your nails and cuticles. Honey helps fight bacterial and fungal growth, while lemon juice brightens nails and promotes stronger growth with its vitamin C content. Leave the mask on your nails for at least one hour before rinsing it off.
Garlic-infused nail polish
Add minced garlic to a bottle of clear nail polish and let it infuse for 5 to 10 days. After infusing, paint your nails with the garlic-infused polish. To remove the odour, wash your hands with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
It is important to note that while these methods may help strengthen and promote nail growth, they may not work for everyone. Additionally, garlic's strong odour may be off-putting to some people.
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Garlic-infused nail polish
Garlic is rich in selenium, which helps promote nail growth. It is also an antioxidant, so it may help nails grow by overpowering trace toxins.
If you want to try a garlic-infused nail polish, you can make your own at home. Here's how:
First, take one small garlic clove and chop it into fine pieces until it is minced. Next, add the minced garlic to a bottle of clear nail polish. Let the mixture sit for around a week before applying it to your nails. It is recommended to paint your nails with the garlic-infused polish at least once every three days. To remove the odour, wash your hands with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Alternatively, you can try nail hardeners that include garlic as one of their ingredients, such as Mavala's Scientific Nail Hardener.
It is important to note that some people may find the idea of rubbing garlic on their nails unappealing due to its strong smell and taste. Social media users have reported success with this method, but other sources are less certain of its effectiveness. As with any new treatment or supplement, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before giving it a go.
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Garlic oil for nail massage
Garlic is rich in selenium, which helps promote nail growth. It is also an antioxidant, so it may help nails grow by overpowering trace toxins. You can use garlic in several ways to promote nail growth and strengthen your nails.
Firstly, you can rub your fingernails with a sliced piece of garlic. However, this method can be pungent and stingy. If you find raw garlic too strong, you can make your own garlic oil to use as a nail massage oil. To make garlic oil, sauté chopped or minced garlic in a pan with olive oil for 10 minutes, ensuring the oil does not smoke. Let the oil cool, then strain it into a glass container and discard the garlic pieces.
Massaging your nails and cuticles with garlic oil can stimulate blood flow, helping deliver nutrients to your nails. You can do this every night, rinsing it off in the morning. You can also add honey to your garlic oil, as honey helps fight bacterial and fungal growth and keeps your nails and cuticles nourished and supple.
Alternatively, you can add minced garlic to a clear nail polish or base coat. Leave the garlic to infuse the polish for 5-10 days, then apply the polish to your nails. You can also try nail hardeners that include garlic as one of their ingredients, such as Mavala's Scientific Nail Hardener.
While garlic may help promote nail growth, adjusting your diet to include more nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and healthy fats, is also important for nail health.
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Garlic's selenium content
Garlic is a selenium hyper-accumulator, meaning it absorbs this trace mineral effectively. Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans and has been shown to reduce tumour growth and may protect against certain cancers.
Garlic cultivated with selenium fertilisation has been shown to have protective roles in cancer prevention in laboratory animals. Selenium is closely related to sulphur, another element highly absorbable by garlic, and can substitute for it in different metabolic pathways.
The amount of selenium in garlic depends on the total selenium content of the soil in which it is grown. Some geographical regions have higher selenium content in their soil, and garlic grown in these regions will have a higher selenium concentration.
Selenium has antioxidant properties, and its concentration in garlic can be increased by cultivating the garlic in soil with high selenium content. However, increasing selenium concentration in garlic may decrease some of its nutritional values, such as flavonoid content.
Garlic is a natural remedy that has been used since at least 1550 BC by the Egyptians, who recognised its medicinal benefits in treating various diseases.
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Other remedies for nail growth
While there is no proven way to make nails grow faster, certain remedies can strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking, thus promoting healthy growth. Here are some natural remedies that can help improve nail health:
Lemon juice
Lemon juice can help brighten nails, remove stains, and promote stronger growth due to its vitamin C content. Apply lemon juice to your nails using a cotton pad and let it dry. Alternatively, create a nail mask by mixing two tablespoons of warm olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice. Massage this mixture into your nails and leave it on for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum benefit.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is very hydrating and can help strengthen nails and soften cuticles. Warm some coconut oil in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then massage it into your cuticles before bed. Wear cotton gloves overnight to seal in the treatment.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties, making it ideal for treating fungal nail infections. It works by neutralising the alkaline environment that encourages fungal growth. Soak your nails in a solution of equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water for at least 20 minutes, then pat your nails dry.
Honey
Honey has hydrating and antibacterial properties, helping to fight bacterial and fungal growth. Create a honey and lemon nail mask by mixing two teaspoons of honey with a few drops of lemon juice. Massage the mixture into your nails and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.
Dietary adjustments
Incorporating certain nutrients into your diet can promote nail health. Ensure you are consuming high-quality protein, a variety of fruits and vegetables, and adequate amounts of iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and healthy fats. Additionally, consider taking collagen and biotin supplements, which have been linked to improved nail health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, garlic is believed to help nails grow.
Garlic is rich in selenium, which helps promote nail growth. It is also an antioxidant, so it may help nails grow by overpowering trace toxins.
You can rub your fingernails with a sliced piece of garlic, or if you find that too pungent, you can make your own garlic oil to use as a nail mask.
Sauté chopped or minced garlic in a pan with olive oil for 10 minutes, ensuring the oil doesn't bubble or smoke. Let the oil cool, strain it into a glass container, and discard the garlic pieces. Massage this oil into your nails and cuticles every night, and rinse it off in the morning.
Yes, you can add minced garlic to a bottle of clear nail polish and let it sit for 5-10 days. After that, you can paint your nails with the polish. To remove the odour, wash your hands with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
