Herbs are not just for cooking, or even only for medicine. Some have fabulous properties that help your skin and hair too. And the best part – there are no chemicals!
Whether you want to bring life to dull hair, enhance the colour, condition it, revitalize after an illness, treat dandruff and dry scalps, or thicken your hair, there is a herb for it. Unfortunately, there isn’t a herb to bring hair back to bald heads – if there was, I would be very, very rich and probably lying on a beach sipping cocktails, and not in front of a laptop drinking tea!
Herbs for Colour
These herbs will enhance your natural colour, or change the shade on lighter hair. The colour isn’t instant. Consistency is the key. Apply a strong infusion every time you wash your hair. There is no need to rinse out, just towel dry.
Blondes: Chamomile, Cowslips, Mullein flowers, Stinging Nettles, Quince juice, Rhubarb root, Turmeric
Brunettes: Cherry bark, Cloves, Henna, Cinnamon, Marjoram, Parsley, Privet
Red hair: Ginger, Henna, Juniper Berries, Calendula, Sage, Red Hibiscus, Sage
Dark hair: Elder leaves, Henna, Lavender, Raspberry leave, Rosemary, Sage, Southernwood, Thyme, Green Walnut shells, Vine leaves
Grey hair: Artichoke leaves, Marjoram, Betony, Sage
Herbal Hair Rinse
Make a strong infusion of the required herbs by pouring 3 cups of boiling water over 2 cup fresh herb. Leave to cool, strain. Pour over freshly shampooed hair, massaging gently. Leave in the hair
Herbs for Condition
The weather, diet, stress, environment and health are just some of the things that affect the condition of our hair. Here are some herbs to help with the common problems.
Dry hair: Burdock root, Comfrey leaves, Elderflowers, Marshmallow, Quince, Horsetail
Oily hair: Mint, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Calendula, Southernwood, Yarrow
Dandruff: Comfrey, Pine needles, Elderflowers, Boxwood, Sage, Rosemary, Scabiosa, Nasturtiums, Nettles, Thyme
Falling hair: Artichoke leaves, Lavender, Lime Blossom, Maidenhair Fern, Calendula, Nasturtiums, Nettles, Rosemary, Southernwood, Thyme, Vine leaves, Willow leaves
Conditioning Herbal Treatment
Make a decoction of the required herbs by placing 4 cups of water in a pot with 3 cups of fresh herb, or 1 cup dried herb. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes. Strain. Gently massage into the scalp after shampooing and do not rinse out.
If it is very dry, add any of the herbs for dry hair to 2 egg yolks or 1/2 mashed avo. Coconut oil is another fabulous remedy, apply the herb decoction and then the oil, as they will not combine. Leave on for 30 minutes and then rinse out with warm water.
Recipe to Thicken Hair and Encourage New Growth
This is especially useful for people recovering from an illness or chemotherapy
2 cups honey
1 cup almond oil
1 cup marjoram or chamomile
1/2 cup southernwood
1/2 cup rosemary
Place all ingredients in a wide necked jar. Seal and shake well. Leave for 2 weeks in a dark place and strain.
Gently rub the mixture into the scalp, cover with a shower cap or towel and leave for 30 minutes to one hour.
Wash out with a mild shampoo.
There will be enough of the mixture to use for several applications. Use twice a week