On TikTok, users have dubbed batana oil "liquid gold," saying it can help regrow hair, strengthen strands, and prevent hair loss.
"Unrefined, one ingredient batana oil is going to be your answer to maximize your hair growth and stimulate your hair follicles to grow a lush, thick, healthy head of hair," said creator FastingWithEthan in a November video viewed 3.5 million times. "If you have a receding hairline, dead ends, split ends, your hair is thinning, or you're full on balding, batana oil is absolutely amazing."
What Is Batana Oil?
Batana oil is extracted from the nuts of American palm trees, which are native to Central and South America, Melanie Palm, MD, MBA, board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD in Solana Beach, California, told Health.
It's a natural oil rich in fatty acids and antioxidants—including vitamin E—and is used in cooking and soap-making, she said.
Many batana oil sellers claim that the product has a history of being used as a hair treatment by indigenous people in Honduras.
However, more recently, batana oil has gained popularity in the U.S. as a remedy for hair loss, with social media users claiming it can promote hair growth and reduce breakage, said Palm.
Batana oil is typically sold in a jar as a balm or as an oil with a dropper application.
Can Batana Oil Really Regrow Hair?
For now, there is a lack of research supporting the benefits of batana oil for hair health—the only evidence is anecdotal, according to Palm.
"This means further evidence is needed to prove its true efficacy as a treatment for hair growth," she said.
Batana oil might have some benefits for skincare when used as a body or face oil, Palm explained, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
If you've never used batana oil products before, both Camp and Palm recommended doing a patch test first to check for any allergic reactions before applying it to your scalp, face, or body. People with any known allergies to palm oil should avoid batana oil.
