I have been mixing up my herbal hair care products and wanted to have a quick reference list of herbs and essential oils for hair care. I love to change things up from one batch to another of shampoo, hairspray, hair detangler or just plain hair rinses. Use either the plant or essential oil (for those plants that have an essential oil also) or both!
At a Glance Reference Guide for Hair Care Herbs and Oils
Citronella - Balances oily hair.
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Clary Sage - Use for all hair types, dandruff, hair loss, and fragile hair.
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Comfrey - Use for dry hair, soothes, moisturizes, adds natural highlights to either dark or light hair.
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Marshmallow Root - Use for dry hair, soothes the scalp and moisturizes the hair.
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Myrrh - Use for dry hair, dry scalp, dandruff, hair loss, and lice.
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Peppermint - Promotes hair growth, stimulates scalp, treats itching scalp, refreshing.
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Rose - For fine hair, soothes the scalp and adds a sweet smell to products. Because of the expense of the essential oil this is best utilized through hydrosol, crushed petals or an herbal infusion.
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Rosemary - Use for oily hair, dark highlights, itchy scalp, dandruff, promotes hair growth, alopecia, and hair loss. This is my favorite herb and essential oil to use for my hair.
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Sage - Dark highlights, hair loss, stimulates hair growth, boosts hair health, dandruff.
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Melaleuca (tea tree) - Use for oily hair, dry scalp, dandruff, lice, removes dirt and grime.
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Thyme - Stimulates hair growth, strengthens fragile hair, alopecia, and hair loss.
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Ylang Ylang - Use for oily hair, dandruff, hair loss, stimulates hair growth, thickens and adds shine to hair.
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Yarrow - Use for oily hair, astringent properties, aids in cleansing hair and removing oily residue.
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You have a list of herbs and essential oils for hair care, now what?
- You can make a simple hair rinse by making an herbal infusion, I also add essential oils to my hair rinses. Let the infusion cool, add the essential oil and then apply to hair after shampoo and conditioner. You can leave it in or rinse out.
- Hair Rinse #2 - infuse the herbs in some vinegar for 2 weeks then strain. After shampooing, pour the vinegar rinse through the hair and then rinse.
- Use the essential oils in your current shampoo or conditioner and any other hair care product.
- Add essential oils to some warmed coconut oil or use an herbal oil and massage into the scalp and ends of the hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and leave on for an hour or two. Shampoo and condition after treatment. This can be done once a month.
- Massage the essential oils directly onto scalp, this is especially effective when treating hair loss.
- Make your own hair care products using herbs and essential oils.
Hair Pomade
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DIY Hairspray
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Herbal Hair Detangler
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Where to Purchase Herbs
I like to grow what herbs I use, basil, calendula, chamomile, comfrey and yarrow are all easy to grow herbs that also add beauty to the garden. You can purchase cut and dried organic herbs from either Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store.
