Usually, when something is left over from refining a product, it’s not great news. This is true for things like petroleum jelly and vegetable oils. But blackstrap molasses breaks that mold.
When I was a kid, my only experience with this syrup was limited to making cookies or holiday ornaments once a year. However, there’s so much more you can do with molasses beyond just using it for gingerbread cookies.
Molasses actually comes from processing sugarcane. When you mash and boil sugarcane, you end up with cane syrup. Boiling it a second time gives you molasses, and a third boiling turns it into blackstrap molasses.
It’s worth noting that this “refining” is just boiling—no chemical processing involved. Unlike many refining methods that strip away the good stuff, this process keeps the beneficial parts intact. Some even consider it a superfood, packed with iron, B-vitamins, magnesium, and other nutrients.
There are several varieties of molasses available. For me, I’ve been mixing up a molasses-based drink called switchel, which has really helped keep my energy, digestion, and iron levels stable during pregnancy. But blackstrap molasses offers plenty of other benefits, too.
It’s one of the best non-animal sources of iron. Doctors and midwives often suggest 1-2 tablespoons a day for those with anemia or similar issues. The high iron and mineral content can be particularly useful for menstrual problems and for expectant mothers. Many people notice that it helps with anemia and also improves skin and promotes new hair growth thanks to its extra minerals.
Tip: I’m not a big fan of the taste on its own, so I mix molasses into my coffee, tea, or switchel every day. Keeping an eye on my blood sugar during pregnancy, I’ve found that molasses doesn’t have any negative impact on it.
Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and manganese make molasses good for digestion. Some people find that it helps relieve constipation with just 1-2 tablespoons mixed in warm water daily. It’s also a gentle stool softener and can be incredibly helpful after childbirth to help bring digestion back to normal and improve iron levels.
Molasses also contains copper, which is vital for hair growth. Using it both internally and externally might enhance hair growth, and some people even report that it helps reverse gray hair and restores their natural color with regular use.
Just to clarify, you probably shouldn’t pour it straight onto your hair. I prefer to mix it with equal parts water and use it as a 20-minute hair mask. (It might darken your hair slightly for a while!)
Even though blackstrap molasses isn’t super sweet, it can be swapped for sugar or syrup in recipes or added to baked goods to up their nutritional value. I often mix it with maple syrup as a sweetener in many of my dishes.
Molasses on its own isn’t very sweet, but it has a wonderfully rich flavor that adds depth to many recipes. I like using it mixed with other natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, whether in recipes or as a stand-alone sweetener. It also plays a role in natural beauty solutions, being great for both skin and hair. It can be used to make a deeply moisturizing hair mask or as a natural face-tightening wash.
Blackstrap molasses has the most nutrients and the least sugar, making it the best choice for many uses. Personally, I prefer an unsulphured organic variety that’s naturally sweet and not bitter.
Do you ever use molasses? If so, what’s your favorite way to incorporate it into your routine?
