It turns out that free radicals can do a lot of damage to your hair. They cause breakage, thinning and even hair loss. Gingerol, the antioxidant found in ginger, fights these free radicals and strengthens the roots, so your hair can be longer and stronger. Use fresh ginger for best results. Read on to see how to make ginger work for you.

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With fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, ginger nourishes your hair for lots of shine. For glossier tresses, try making a homemade hair mask using 2 tablespoons of finely grated ginger mixed with 4 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage this onto your scalp for five minutes, then leave on for 30 minutes (you may feel some tingling). Use this mask twice a week and start seeing effects within a month.

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Ginger stimulates blood circulation to improve the health of your scalp — and when your hair follicles are happy, they grow faster. Treat your follicles to some love with ginger juice spritzed onto the scalp directly before styling. Another option is to mix the juice with castor oil in a 1:3 ratio and apply to scalp two to three times per week for a half hour before shampooing it out.

To make the ginger juice, peel the ginger root with a vegetable peeler and slice it into small pieces. Mix into 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes. Cool off the mixture and strain out the ginger. You keep it in the refrigerator for a month.

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Ginger also has antiseptic properties that fight the flakes. The easiest fix? Grate some ginger and add it to your shampoo until those flakes are gone. For more stubborn cases, mix it with jojoba oil and rub all over the scalp. Wear a plastic cap and leave on while you sleep.

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This sensational root isn't done yet. Let ginger work its magic on your skin, too. From anti-aging to acne, ginger is here for it.

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