The claim of achieving long lashes and thick eyebrows in just 7 days with a clove remedy is widely popular in natural beauty circles.1 While 7-day results are ambitious and depend heavily on individual hair growth cycles, the combination of clove and castor oil offers a scientifically supported approach to nourishing follicles and improving hair density.
The remedy works on the principle of stimulating blood flow and providing intense nourishment directly to the hair roots.2
The Science Behind the Clove Remedy
This remedy combines two powerful ingredients, each contributing a unique benefit:
- 1. Clove (3$\text{Syzygium aromaticum}$):4
- Circulation Booster: Cloves contain 5$\text{eugenol}$, a potent compound known for its ability to increase local blood circulation.6 Applying it to the brow area may help deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the dormant hair follicles, encouraging them to enter the active growth phase.
- Antioxidant Protection: Cloves are rich in antioxidants, which protect the fragile hair shafts and follicles from the oxidative damage that can lead to thinning and breakage.7
- 2. Castor Oil:
- Nourishment and Thickness: Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a unique fatty acid that is believed to stimulate the $\text{prostaglandin}$ $\text{receptors}$ responsible for hair growth.
- Conditioning: Its high viscosity coats the existing hair, making individual strands look instantly thicker, darker, and shinier, while also preventing breakage.
DIY Clove and Castor Oil Growth Serum
This method utilizes the natural pigments and stimulating properties of cloves within a rich carrier oil base.
What You Need:
- Clove Base: 4-5 whole, dried cloves
- Carrier Oil: 2 tablespoons of pure Castor Oil (or a mix of castor and coconut/jojoba oil)
- Tools: A small, clean saucepan or microwave-safe dish, a strainer, and a clean mascara spoolie or eyeliner brush.
The Preparation Method:
- Infuse the Oil: Gently heat the 2 tablespoons of castor oil in a saucepan. Add the 4-5 whole cloves.
- Infuse: Simmer the mixture on the lowest heat possible for about 5 minutes, or until the oil absorbs the clove aroma. Alternatively, you can skip the heat and let the cloves soak in the oil for 48 hours to create a cold infusion.
- Strain and Store: Strain the warm oil immediately to remove the clove pieces. Once cooled, pour the clove-infused oil into a clean, airtight container (like an old, sanitized mascara tube or dropper bottle).
Application for 7 Days:
- Cleanse: Ensure your eyebrows and lashes are completely clean and free of makeup before application.
- Apply to Brows: Dip the clean spoolie into the oil. Brush the oil generously onto your eyebrows, working from the inner corner outwards, ensuring the oil reaches the skin beneath the hair.
- Apply to Lashes: Using a clean mascara brush or a precise eyeliner brush, carefully apply a thin layer of the oil mixture to the base of your upper eyelashes, as if applying eyeliner. Avoid letting excess oil get into your eyes.8
- Overnight Treatment: Leave the serum on overnight.9 Wash your face as usual in the morning.
Important Safety Caution
Clove oil is highly potent and can be irritating.10
- Patch Test: Always perform a patch test on a small area of your inner arm before applying to your face. Wait 24 hours to check for any redness or irritation.
- Never Use Clove Essential Oil Undiluted: Always use the diluted method (whole cloves infused into castor oil) to prevent chemical burns or severe eye irritation. The goal is gentle stimulation, not harsh burning.
- Results: While a 7-day challenge can result in better conditioning and a darker appearance, significant new growth typically requires consistent use over 4-8 weeks.
