Natural Hair Treatment
For thousands of years, herbs and plants have been mixed and blended and then used to heal, freshen, pamper and beautify hair. The following are a few age – old haircare recipes that you might like to try at home. Remember to use these treatments immediately after you have made them because they won’t keep well.
1. Natural Dandruff Treatment:
Mix a few drops of oil of rosemary with 30ml/2tbsp olive oil and rub well into the scalp at bedtime. Shampoo and rinse thoroughly in the morning.
2. Herbal Shampoos:
i. Easy Egg Shampoo: In a blender mix together two small (US medium) eggs with 50ml/2fl oz/1/4 cup still mineral water and 15ml/1tbsp cider vinegar or lemon juice. Blend for 30 seconds at low speed. Massage well into the scalp and rinse very thoroughly using lukewarm water (if the water is any hotter the egg will begin to set).
ii. Herbal Shampoo: Crush a few dried bay leaves with a rolling pin, or with a pestle and mortar, and mix with a handful of dried chamomile flowers and one of rosemary. Place in a large jug and pour over 900ml/3 1/2 cups boiling water. Strain after 2-3 minutes and mix in 5 ml/1tsp soft or liquid soap. Apply to the hair, massaging well. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Herbal Hair Rinses:
Hair rinses are simple to make, use fresh, natural ingredients, and are a pleasantly sweet-scented finishing treatment after you have shampooed your hair. A hair rinse maybe as simple as adding a few drops of an essential oil to your final rinse of water for its aromatic and therapeutic value, or as complex as creating a medicinal rinse that combines several herbs and essential oils. Many options exist. The type of rinse that you choose to make will depend on how creative you want to get. It depends on your condition or problem. Again, you may refer to the list of essential oils, and natural ingredients that resonate with your needs and desires.
i. Lemon Verbena Rinse: This rinse fragrances your hair and stimulates the pores and circulation of the scalp. Lemon verbena is easy to grown in the garden. Put a handful of lemon verbena leaves in a bowl and pour 250ml/8fl oz/1 cup boiling water over them. Infuse for an hour. Strain and discard the leaves. Pour over your hair after conditioning.
ii. Geranium And Chamomile Condition Rinse: Chamomile flowers will not affect the colour of medium to dark hair, but they will help to brighten naturally fair hair. The geranium flowers add a delightful scent. Put 25g/1 oz/ 1/4 cup of chamomile flowers in a pan with 600ml/1 pint/2 1/2 cups water. Boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the hot liquid over scented geranium leaves and leave to soak for 30-40 minutes. Strain into a bottle.
iii. Cider Vinegar Rinse: This traditional country treatment will invigorate your scalp and give your hair a deep, natural shine. This recipe makes enough for one treatment. Mix 250ml/8fl oz/1 cup cider with 1 liltre/3 3/4 pints/4 cups warm water, and use a final rinse for your hair. Towel dry, gently comb through and leave to dry naturally. Other rinses (to use as a finishing treatment after shampooing) can be made up to treat various hair problems. First, make an infusion by placing 30ml/2tbsp of the fresh herb in a china or glass bowl. Fresh herbs are best, but if you use dried herbs remember they are stronger so you will need to halve the amount required. Add 475ml/16fl oz/2 cups boiling water, cover and leave to steep for three hours. Strain before using.
4. Natural Zesty Hair Cream:
Beat 150ml/2/3 cup natural yoghurt with an egg; add 5ml/1tsp sea kelp powder and 5ml/1tsp finely grated lemon rind. Mix thoroughly and work into the hair. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap and leave in place for 40 minutes. Shampoo and rinse.
