How to Get Fantastic Hair Using Herbs

Herbs are potent tonics for the hair, and it is easy to make your own herbal hair treatments. But since beautiful, healthy hair begins with proper cleansing, the first thing to do is to purchase a good shampoo.

These days almost every shampoo contains at least an herb or two: rosemary, nettle, and kelp are popular. But a shampoo needs more than herbs to help your hair behave beautifully. The experts recommend you look for a shampoo that is pH-balanced. If it is too acidic, your hair will become dried out. Additionally, if you color or perm your hair, an acid shampoo will cause the color to fade faster and the perm to go limp more quickly. On the other hand, if a shampoo’s too alkaline, it won’t get your hair clean. Stay away from shampoos that contain waxes. They are added to formulas to help condition the hair but they wind up leaving the hair coated and not really clean. And if your scalp is sensitive, avoid shampoos that contain lauryl sulfate, opting for the more gently cleansing alternative of laureth sulfate.

Herbal Hair Conditioners

Basil for healthy hair: To add shine to hair, rinse with a basil vinegar. To make it, heat one cup of cider vinegar until hot, not boiling, then toss in three tablespoons of fresh basil. Steep, covered, for twenty minutes, then strain. Rub a tablespoon or two into your scalp and hair and leave on for about two minutes before rinsing out.

Chamomile for dry hair: Use this conditioner once a week on dry or over processed hair. The olive oil works best with coarse, curly hair, and the grapeseed oil is better for fine, straight hair. If your household members vary in hair textures, go for the grapeseed; if you can’t find grapeseed oil, use canola oil.

•      1/3 cup dried chamomile flowers
•      1/3 cup olive oil or grapeseed oil

Combine the flowers and oil in a glass jar and cover. Set the jar in a sunny window for two weeks, shaking the jar daily. At the end of two weeks, strain away the flowers.

To use, brush your hair. Moisten your hands with water and drop a bit of the oil onto each palm. One teaspoon on each palm is enough for short hair. Then rub the oil into the ends of your hair, keeping it away from the scalp. For extra conditioning, oil your hair, then wrap your head in a hot wet towel. Leave the oil on for ten to fifteen minutes, depending on how dry your hair is. Then shampoo and style as usual. Keep the oil in the fridge and bring it back to room temperature before using. The recipe makes enough for nine treatments.

Herbs for Different Hair Colors

To try one of these conditioning treatments, combine all of the ingredients for your hair color in a processor or blender and whip until smooth. Rub the mixture into clean, wet hair, then cover with plastic wrap or a shower cap and relax for 10 minutes. Rinse your hair very well and style as usual.

• Blonde hair – use a peeled banana, two tablespoons of brewed chamomile or calendula tea, and a raw egg yolk
• Auburn hair – use half a cup of ripe strawberries, two tablespoons of brewed basil tea, and a raw egg yolk
• Black or brown hair – use two tablespoons of instant espresso, two tablespoons of hot brewed rosemary tea, and half a ripe avocado

Following these directions, you will soon be having soft, full, beautiful hair.