Who doesn’t love the look and feel of healthy, soft, shiny hair? Of course, you can indulge and go to the salon or supermarket and buy a commercial product, or you can make your own easy and effective recipes.
Herbal Hair Rinses
Pamper yourself with an all-natural herbal hair rinse, custom made for your particular hair type. Here are a few you can create in your own home.
Sage Hair Rinse for Dark Hair
Steep 1/3 cup of sage leaves in 1 quart of boiled water for 2 hours. Strain and allow the infusion to cool. Spray onto your hair or saturate cotton balls and apply. Leave on hair for half an hour and then rinse out.
Lemon Juice Rinse for Blonde Hair
Take the juice of two freshly squeezed lemons and mix with the same amount of water. Apply to hair with spray bottle or cotton balls and sit in the sun for 15 minutes. Rinse out when finished.
With repetition, it gives the hair blonde highlights that especially shine in the sun.
Chamomile Rinse for Blonde Hair
Steep 1/3 cup of chamomile flowers in 1 quart of water. Pour over hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse out when finished.
Hot Oil Treatments
If you suffer from an itchy, dry scalp or split, dry ends, a hot oil treatment can make a world of difference. Start out with clean hair, as a build-up from your styling products may interfere with the oil penetrating your hair follicles.
- Coconut Oil – Coconut oil has been reputed to stimulate hair growth.
- Olive Oil – Olive oil combats dandruff and adds moisture.
- Jojoba Oil – Since jojoba oil acts as a natural fungicide, it is an excellent choice for those suffering from an irritated scalp due to fungal issues.
Simply take a tablespoon or two of oil (depending on the length of your hair) and warm it in the microwave for a few seconds or in a double boiler on your stovetop.
Some people prefer to wash their hair first and apply to wet hair, others prefer to apply the oil to dry hair. However, just remember to make sure your hair is clean, not only from dirt but also product build-up.
You can try both methods to determine which one works the best for you.
You can also add some of your favorite crushed herbs, such as lavender, or a few drops of essential oil to help you relax while you rejuvenate. Take a mindset that this is not a chore, make it as luxuriant as you can.
- Massage the oil into your scalp and work it through the hair and right down to the ends for a few minutes.
- Next, wrap a heated towel around your head and sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- You can warm the towel in the dryer or use a blow dryer.
You may prefer to wrap your hair in a shower cap or a plastic bag first and then cover with a towel.
After a few treatments, you will determine your own favorite recipe and preferred application method.
Creamy Hair Treatments
If creamier preparations are more your style rather than oil based ones, give real mayonnaise a try. The eggs, the vinegar and the oil will leave your hair shiny and soft.
Apply the same way you would above, without heating it up. You don’t want to cook the eggs!
Dry Shampoo for An Oily Scalp
If you suffer from an excessively oily scalp a dry shampoo will be perfect for some occasions. For example, maybe you are leaving work for an important date and don’t have time to wash and dry your hair.
This is the ideal time to use a dry shampoo.
You can use either finely ground up oatmeal (run through your food processor first), talcum powder, baby powder, cornstarch or cornmeal. Keep it in an old spice jar for easy application.
Only apply this to dry hair, not partially wet or washed hair.
- Simply sprinkle some onto your scalp from a few inches above your head.
- Be careful not to inhale while applying.
- Gently brush hair to distribute.
- Allow the dry shampoo to sit on your hair and scalp for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb the excess oil.
Next, flip hair upside down and brush out. Some people prefer to blow dry at this stage to help with the cleansing process. Be prepared to sweep or vacuum afterwards.
You can also add some crushed herbs too, such as lemon balm or lavender.
If you prefer, you can add a drop of two of essential oils (not too much as you are trying to remove the oil) to your hair when you are finished to leave your hair smelling clean and fresh.
Essential oils such as Lemon, Orange, Peppermint, Eucalyptus or Lavender are perfect for this final step.
Essential Oils for Hair
Essential oils can be used to treat your hair and scalp. Choosing the correct oils for your hair type can help treat scalp conditions, overcome dryness or oiliness and add a fullness and shine to your hair.
As a bonus you will impart a mild perfume to your hair; not overpowering, but enough to help overcome the unwanted scents that are picked up during the day, from things like cigarette smoke and sweat.
Essential Oils for Dry Hair
If your hair is dry, an essential oil application can stimulate and assist the sebaceous glands in the scalp. Try a few drops of either:
- Geranium Essential Oil
- Sandalwood Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil or
- Rosemary Essential Oil.
Mix one or more of these in a base of either – Sesame oil, Avocado oil, Almond oil, Borage, Jojoba Oil or Cocoa Butter.
Essential Oils for Normal Hair
Normal hair is considered to be that which is naturally shiny and is not excessively greasy or overly dry. This lucky type does not the oil balancing of other types, but using the correct essential oil treatment can still enhance appearance, feel and smell.
The best oils for this hair type include:
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Clary Sage Essential Oil
- Cedar Wood Essential Oil
- Thyme Essential Oil and
- Geranium Essential Oil.
For normal hair, mix these oils in a base of either – Borage, Almond or Jojoba Oil.
Essential Oils for Oily Hair
To combat the excess sebum and sometimes greasy look of oily hair, choose one of the following oils which have astringent properties:
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Cypress Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil and
- Peppermint Essential Oil.
Mix into either – Borage Oil, Jojoba Oil or Sesame Oil.
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