Both whole herbs and essential oils can be used to promote hair and scalp health. Many of the commercially available products leave a residue on your hair that can dull its natural shine, and may even contain toxins such as phthalates. Common household apple cider vinegar, diluted with water leaves hair soft and shiny, invigorates the scalp, and eliminates dandruff, all for mere pennies an application! Good quality castile soap can be used as a shampoo alone, or as the base ingredient in natural hair care remedies. Once you get started on making your own herbal shampoos, hair rinses and scalp treatments, you will never go back.

Old-fashioned rosewater
leaves hair shiny and soft

My favorite way to use herbs for hair care is to used cooled herbal teas as hair rinses. Easy, and much more effective than the so called "botanical" commercial hair products that contain bare trace amounts of herbal extracts. Cooled chamomile tea used as a hair rinse brings on the highlights in blonde or light colored hair. Add lemon juice to enhance the effect. Use rosemary, nettle or sage on dark hair. Fresh herbs work best, however good quality dried herbs will do.

Using Aromatherapy

The effectiveness and scent of these natural hair treatments can be augmented by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Tea tree is a good choice if you have problems with dandruff, the astringency of lemon and/or grapefruit helps with oily hair. Always use a light hand with the essential oils, a few drops go a long way.

Lice are common parasites that infest the hair and are showing increasing resistance to over-the-counter treatments. Treatment with essential oils of lavender, tea tree and geranium are effective and safe for children. Clove oil is also a very effective for both scabies and lice.

Herbs Used for Hair Care/Shampoo

Apple * Chamomile * Copaiba Balsam * Henna * Kukui Nut Oil * Rosemary * Sage * Shea Butter *

Bur oil (burdock) For: Hair tonic, hair loss
Profile	Burdock root oil extract (Bur oil) has traditionally been popular in Europe as a scalp treatment applied to improve hair strength, shine, and body, and to combat hair loss. It has been used to ease dandruff and scalp itching. Modern studies indicate that burdock root oil extract is rich in phytosterols and essential fatty acid required for healthy scalp and natural hair growth. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Chamomile tea For: Hair rinse, highlights
Profile	Cooled chamomile tea used as a hair rinse brings on the highlights in blonde or light colored hair. Add lemon juice to enhance the effect.

Rosemary For: Hair Tonic
Profile	Rosemary is the queen of the herbal hair tonics. Brings out the warmth of darker-colored hair. Rosemary is also known for its ability to stimulate the scalp. A few drops of essential oil of rosemary can quickly condition dry, fly away hair.

Hair Care/Shampoo Information

• Acne :
  Natural ways to clear acne and fade acne scars
• Facial and Skin care :
  Nature's oils leave skin gleaming, glowing and truly healthy, with no toxic additives, chemicals, or synthetic perfumes.
• Varicose veins :
  Home remedies for varicose veins. Using herbs for vein health.
• Cellulite Reduction :
  Aromatherapy oil treatments for cellulite. Using essential oils helps get rid of cellulite while you improve overall skin tone and suppleness. Use essential oils in baths as well - the oils work by osmosis.
• Deodorants/Perfumes :
  Hydrosols, (flower waters), or a few drops of essential oil make a good balancing and sweet smelling perfume.
• Natural Skin Care-Oils & Herbs :
  Vegetable, nut and seed oils have many uses which include acting as a carrier for aromatherapy essential oil applications, healthy cooking, and as a base for your homemade cosmetics.