Agave Nectar

Hello World!

I have been in the books again, learning about different remedies that are all natural. I have learned a ton of new information and can't wait to share them with you. I will intersperse this information into my hair discussions, because, hair care, as always is my first love. I have sold so many hair care products on Etsy, its crazy! I barely have time to get my school work completed! So today girls and boys, I will share with you the benefits of Agave nectar. So sit back, get wrapped up in your electric blankie, and relax your mind....

Agave nectar is obtained from the agave tequliana, a succulent plant found in Mexico, the southwestern United States, and Central and South America. Yes, this is the same plant that provides us with the infamously intoxicating beverage that yields tasty margaritas and tequila shots—so versatile! How can I not be in love with this plant!

To incorporate my 1 million dollar education: Agave nectar is composed of several large carbohydrate molecules called polysaccharides: saponin, inulin, and fructosan. These polymers are made up of building blocks of different types of sugar molecules. Fructose is the primary component, with glucose being a smaller fraction of the material. Polysaccharides have many hydroxyl groups and for this reason are very hydrophilic. They will behave as humectants and draw water either to the hair or out of the hair, depending upon the environment.  The reason we tend to have dry hair is that the water is blocked form being absorbed into the hair. Some people put oil on their hair first then moisture, when it should be the other way around. You want to seal the moisture in, not out.

 Raw agave nectar can provide conditioning by forming a polymer film on the surface of the hair, thereby smoothing the cuticle. It can also provide mild hold, due to the polymeric structure of its unaltered carbohydrates. Unrefined agave nectar also contains minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which may be beneficial to hair. Even though the hair is not technically alive, we want to ensure that we are giving it all the special treatment that we are providing to our scalps.

I put some in my flax seed gel, it enhances curl patterns and also helps create shine. Another method of using agave is to pre-poo deep condition with it. Here is a simple recipe:

3 oz of a really cheap conditioner-Suave or Dove, or maybe a conditioner you hate that you currently have on hand.
2 oz coconut oil-melted
2 oz Agave nectar
5 drops of rosemary essential oil
I also like to add a little extra virgin olive oil

Mix this up and place it on your DRY hair. Place on a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 30 minutes, or natural heat from your scalp for one hour.

Rinse out completely with warm, not hot, water. Follow up with your normal routine, co-wash or shampoo.

The results? Shiny bouncy curls with lots of shine and moisture.

You're welcome.