We all want gorgeous hair, which is why so many of us hesitate to try natural methods. We’re too afraid that it may go horribly wrong and end up with either an oily mess or a shine-less, dry, and frizzy style.
There may also be times when you’re using the shampoo free method, yet still require or desire some extra moisture.
Thankfully, there are some great natural and homemade options that can condition our roots, give shine to our hair, and help boost color.
Herbal Rinses
The apple cider vinegar rinse we talked about yesterday is great for following the baking soda/water mixture as it helps correct the alkalinity of the baking soda. You can also add in a few drops of essential oil.
Lemon juice, 1/4 cup juice diluted in 1 cup of warm water, is great for clarifying the hair, reducing oily-ness and actually helps to slow oil production. Just pour over your scalp and massage in, letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
Herbal hair rinses are also a great way to promote healthy hair and easily changed to suit your own needs. To make an herbal rinse:
- Pour 1 quart of boiling water over 3-4 tablespoons of herbs, let sit until cool
- Strain the herbs, and add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
- Pour over your hair, catching the runoff into a bowl. Continue until your hair is saturated with the herbal mixture. (Another easy way to do this would be to just pour the mixture into a sink in which the stopper is down. Lean your hair into the sink and use a small cup to continue pouring it over your head.)
- Towel dry your hair and let it continue to air dry.
For oily hair: rosemary, bay leaf, calendula, and lemon peel
For dry hair: comfrey, chamomile, and nettle
For normal hair: basil, calendula, and lavender.
Deep Conditioning
With the use of honey and oil, you can deep condition your hair as needed.
Ingredients
3 tsp honey
1/4 cup olive oil or jojoba oil
Method of Preparation and Use
1. Slightly heat the honey so that it combines well with the oil.
2. Massage on your scalp and into the hair sections at a time.
3. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. (you may want to cover your head with a shower cap to keep drips to a minimum)
4. Shampoo well, making sure your hair is not oily. Some oil will be absorbed, but you want to make sure that it’s as clean as you can get it.
Optional – you can also infuse the oil with your choice of herb by lightly heating the oil and adding the herb. Let this mixture sit on very low heat for about 30 minutes, strain, and cool before using. You can also use essential oils instead of herbs.
More information and recipes:
NaturalNews – Gentle Hair Rinses and Treatments for Oily Limp Hair
Mountain Rose Herbs – Herbal Hair Care (recipes for shampoo, herbal infused vinegars and oils.
How do you keep your hair conditioned naturally?
Donielle Baker
I just discovered Dr Ron’s ultra pure shampoo and my hubby Mr anti- green likes it enough to use it and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it my hair is lovely soft days after a wash and it is the most lovely aroma of essential oils 🙂
Does the lemon juice mixture work to remove chlorine build up on hair? My daughter both swim alot and their hair get lots of chlorine in it. I currently use a clarifying shampoo that removes it.
@Kathy Simonot, I honestly have no idea. I guess the only way would be to try it and see if their hair stays green! 🙂 Sorry, I’m not much help.