Hair fall is a common woe that many of us face, and we often turn to DIY remedies and home cures for quick fixes. The internet is filled with simple hacks, miracle cures, and kitchen remedies that can give you the tresses of your dreams. Now, an Instagram reel, posted by the handle globallifesaniya, offers a new cure- makhana in milk.  

The video, which has garnered 2.8 crore views on Instagram, appears to feature Dr Upasana Vohra, a popular ayurvedic doctor with approximately 13 lakh followers on the platform, in conversation with a group of people in an economically disadvantaged area. 

“Is there anyone whose hair falls out when they bathe? Every night, in a glass of milk, you have to fill a fistful of your fox nut (makhana). And you have to take it before going to sleep. Women who have been experiencing hair loss for years will also stop losing their hair. Those who don’t have long hair, many women say their hair doesn’t grow long, it stops growing long, their hair will also start growing long,” she says in the video.  

The video has gone viral, with more than 429,000 likes and 753,000 shares. While some of the comments seemed to call it out for the alleged tone-deafness of the ‘expensive’ remedy given the apparent socio-economic situation of the area, others have said it works, raising curiosity and hope around this simple hack.

Can years of hair fall be cured by consuming makhana (Fox nut) with milk?

Even though makhana and milk are popular topics in wellness articles and social media, reliable scientific studies or clinical trials supporting the idea that this combination can cure long-standing hair fall were unavailable.

This was also echoed by Ms Anjali Gupta, Dietician at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, who said that while Makhana is a good source of calcium, which can help hair growth, there is no evidence to support the efficacy of a concoction of milk and makhana helping hair fall.  

“No, it’s not true. Makhana is a good source of calcium, and calcium does play a role in the growth of hair and nails. But it’s not just makhana – there are other sources as well. We need to take a balanced diet with a mix of protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin D, which are all important for healthy hair. There is no scientific evidence that mixing makhana with milk will lead to hair growth. It’s just a food myth,” she said. 

However, she underlined that makhana or fox nuts, “is still a superfood and a good source of calcium and other nutrients.” 

Also read: Should everyone shampoo their hair every day for a healthy scalp?