Onion juice or garlic for hair growth: which is a better home remedy for bald patches?

Both onion juice and garlic are popular natural remedies for promoting hair growth and reducing bald patches — but they differ slightly in how they work and their effectiveness. Let’s compare them side by side so you can decide which might be better for your needs.

🧅 Onion Juice for Hair Growth

How it works:

• Onion juice is rich in sulfur, which improves blood circulation to hair follicles, supports collagen production, and helps regenerate new hair.
• It has antioxidants (like quercetin) that protect hair follicles from damage and premature graying.
• Its antibacterial properties help fight scalp infections that can cause hair loss.

Benefits:

• Promotes regrowth in patchy alopecia (small bald spots).
• Strengthens hair roots and reduces breakage.
• Improves scalp health by fighting dandruff and inflammation.

How to use:

1. Extract juice from 1–2 onions.
2. Apply it directly to the scalp, focusing on bald patches.
3. Leave for 30–45 minutes, then wash with mild shampoo.
4. Repeat 2–3 times per week.

Possible side effects:

• Strong smell.
• Scalp irritation for sensitive skin (do a patch test first).

Evidence:
A 2002 clinical study published in the Journal of Dermatology found that participants applying onion juice twice daily for two months showed significant hair regrowth, especially in patchy alopecia areata.

🧄 Garlic for Hair Growth

How it works:

• Garlic also contains sulfur compounds (allicin) that boost blood circulation and nourish hair follicles.
• It has antimicrobial properties, which help keep the scalp clean and prevent infections.
• Rich in selenium and vitamins B6 & C, which strengthen hair shafts and promote growth.

Benefits:

• Reduces scalp inflammation and strengthens hair follicles.
• Improves nutrient delivery to roots.
• Can help reduce hair thinning when combined with carrier oils.

How to use:

1. Crush 4–5 garlic cloves and mix with 2 tablespoons of coconut or castor oil.
2. Warm slightly and massage into the scalp.
3. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse with shampoo.
4. Repeat 2–3 times per week.

Possible side effects:

• Can cause burning or redness if applied directly without dilution.
• Strong odor similar to onion.

Evidence:
A 2007 study in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology found that garlic gel used with topical steroid therapy improved hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata more than steroid treatment alone.

⚖️ Which Is Better?

Aspect	Onion Juice	Garlic
Scientific Support	Stronger (human studies available)	Moderate (some studies, often combined with treatments)
Scalp Irritation	Mild	Can be stronger if undiluted
Ease of Use	Easy to prepare and apply	Must be diluted with oil
Odor Strength	Strong	Very strong
Best For	Bald patches, weak hair roots	Scalp infections, inflammation, overall nourishment

✅ Verdict:

If your main goal is to stimulate regrowth on bald patches, onion juice has slightly better evidence and is generally safer for direct scalp application.
However, if your scalp is prone to infection or dandruff, a garlic oil mixture can be an excellent complementary treatment.

💡 Tip:

For best results, you can alternate both treatments:

• Use onion juice twice a week for regrowth.
• Use garlic-infused oil once a week to strengthen roots and improve scalp health.

🧅 Onion Juice Sources

1. Sharquie, K. E., & Al-Obaidi, H. K. (2002).
   “Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata.”
   Journal of Dermatology, 29(6), 343–346.
   👉 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12126069/

This clinical study found that applying onion juice twice daily led to significant hair regrowth in patients with patchy alopecia areata.

2. Rajalakshmi, R., & others (2016).
   “Therapeutic benefits of onion (Allium cepa L.): A review.”
   International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(10), 37–40.

Highlights the sulfur, flavonoid, and antioxidant properties of onion that improve blood circulation and promote hair follicle regeneration.

🧄 Garlic Sources

3. Mokhtari, F., et al. (2007).
   “Combination of topical garlic gel and betamethasone valerate cream in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: a double-blind randomized controlled study.”
   Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 73(1), 29–32.
   👉 https://ijdvl.com/combination-of-topical-garlic-gel-and-betamethasone-valerate-cream-in-the-treatment-of-localized-alopecia-areata/

Found that adding garlic gel to standard treatment improved hair regrowth compared to steroid treatment alone.

4. Bakhshi, S., et al. (2014).
   “A review of the therapeutic effects of garlic (Allium sativum L.) on skin and hair.”
   Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 25(3), 213–218.

Reviews garlic’s sulfur compounds and antioxidant properties that promote hair follicle health and reduce scalp inflammation.

🧪 Additional General References

5. Wong, P. Y. Y., & Kitts, D. D. (2002).
   “Studies on the dual antioxidant and antibacterial properties of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and onion (Allium cepa L.) extracts.”
   Food Chemistry, 78(1), 69–74.

Demonstrates onion’s antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities that help maintain a healthy scalp environment.

6. Medical News Today – “Onion juice for hair growth: Does it work?”
   Published by Zawn Villines, medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT (2019)
   👉 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327287

Provides an evidence-based summary of research on onion juice and its effects on hair regrowth.