Natural Hair Products

In an ideal world we would all obtain enough nutrients from the food we eat for a beautiful full head of hair, however even the most seemingly healthy diet can be lacking in one or more vitamins and minerals essential to strong hair growth.

This is partially due to crops being grown on exhausted soils and the use of intensive farming methods.

Many people think that eating organically will provide them with enough nutrients, however our body’s demand for these essential substances has increased dramatically. We now have to cope with over 3,000 chemicals that were just not around 100 years ago.

This can be quickly made using a blender and involves adding two small eggs to 50 ml (2 fluid ounces) of water and 15 ml (tablespoon) of cider vinegar or lemon juice.

This mix should be blended for 30 seconds at low speed.

The resulting mixture can be used on the hair straight way and should be massaged well into the scalp.

It is important that when rinsing hot water is not used, as the egg will set and make a real mess of the hair.

Instead, the hair and scalp should be thoroughly rinsed with lukewarm water.

A very simple herbal shampoo can be made using some basic herbs.

Firstly, crush some dried bay leaves with a rolling pin and add them to one handful of dried chamomile flowers and one handful of dried rosemary.

This mix should be put into a large jug and around 1 litre (1 and 3 quarter pints) of boiling water should be poured over it.

After a few minutes the mixture should be strained.

Add to this 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of liquid soap.

This can be applied directly to the hair, provided it is not too hot, and massaged well into the hair and roots.

The herbal shampoo should be rinsed thoroughly.

Just about any vegetable oil can be used to make a very effective hot oil conditioning treatment. Simply heat the chosen oil until it is slightly warm and apply it directly to the scalp and rub into the entire length of the hair, using a massaging technique.

Once the oil is evenly dispersed through the hair and scalp, the head should be covered with a plastic shower cap and left on for around 20 minutes.

The cap helps retain the heat from your head and helps the oil penetrate the hair more efficiently.

After 20 minutes the hair should be washed and conditioned thoroughly.

If hair is in need of a more thorough conditioning treatment because it is dry or damaged, then the following will be helpful.

Firstly, mix 15 ml (tablespoon) of olive with the same quantity of wheatgerm oil and gently warm it up.

Apply to the hair and scalp and wrap a warm towel around the head and leave for around 10 minutes.

This should be well rinsed with warm water combined with the juice of one lemon.

This lemon rinse can also used to brighten up hair that is blonde.

A good natural tonic can improve the look and feel of the hair.

Mix an egg with
150 ml (5 fluid ounces) of natural yoghurt
5 ml (1 teaspoon) of kelp powder
5 ml (1 teaspoon) of finely grated lemon rind.

Once mixed it should be evenly applied to the hair and scalp, covered with a plastic cap and allowed to soak for around 35-45 minutes.

After this time the hair should be washed thoroughly with a gentle shampoo and rinsed really well.

Natural hair rinses can be used after washing to improve the look of the hair. A very basic rinse consist of the whole juice of a lemon squeezed into some warm water.

This is specifically good at making blonde hair look brighter. Any other hair colour can be brightened by replacing the lemon juice with 30 ml (2 teaspoons) of cider vinegar.

There are other rinses that are based on herbal infusions and can be used to specifically help various hair problems.

These include:

• Nettle to stimulate hair growth.
• Rosemary to prevent static and dandruff, and to stimulate blood circulation on the scalp.
• Lavender to soothe a sore, tight scalp and help with oily hair problems.

Although conventional products used to colour hair are much more gentle these days, there are a few people who prefer to colour their hair naturally without the use of harsh chemicals.

Luckily, there are natural hair-colour ranges available in a variety of different shades. These products however, are only semi-permanent, so need applying more often.

Other people prefer to make these products themselves and one of the most popular ways to colour hair naturally, is to use henna. This only darkens hair, so if you are looking to lighten it use natural products such as chamomile and/or lemon juice.

Essential oils are very effective at helping with a variety of problems and can be used before washing as part of a hot oil treatment. It is important that neat oils are not applied to the scalp, although tea tree appears to be ok for the treatment of dandruff.

All other oils should be added to 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of base oil. Most vegetable oils can be used, however jojoba oil is favoured by many aromatherapists for use on the scalp.

The following essential oils are very useful when added to a jojoba base:

• 6 drops of rosemary and 9 drops of eucalyptus for dandruff.
• 6 drops of sandlewood and 9 drops of rosewood for dry hair.