Herbs in Haircare

The addition of Herbs in hair care, often in the way of a decoction or extract, is a great, natural way of benefiting the individual needs of so many varying hair types. Extracts, such as Rosemary and Aloe are very commonly used in hair care products and can be purchased ready to use. Other great hair care herbs, such as Peppermint, Lavender and Horsetail will require a small amount of effort to incorporate them into your products.

A very easy way to incorporate herbs in your product is to simply make an infusion or decoction (tea) using the herbs and the water called for in the recipe. Infusions or Decoctions, because of their water base, can be added easily to both shampoos and conditioners or used solely on their own as an herbal hair rinse.

Herbal Water Infusions: This technique works best with the soft part of a plant, such as the leaves or flower petals.

Making an Herbal Infusion is just like making tea. Simply combine 1 Tbsp. of Dried or 3 Tbsp. of Fresh herbs with 2 cups of just boiled water. Cover and allow steeping for approximately 15 minutes. Stain with a muslin cloth and allow cooling. Place in a clean, sterilized jar, cover and use within a few days.

Herbal Water Decoctions: This technique works best with the hard, woody parts of the plant such as the Root, Stem, Seed or Bark. Because of the hardness of these parts, longer heating is required to release their active components.

Place around 1 Tbsp. of dried or 3 Tbsp. of Fresh herb together with 3 cups of cold water into the top section of a double boiler. Place this over the bottom section of the double boiler that has been filled with hot water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and allow simmering until the liquid has been reduced to approximately 2 cups (30 minutes to 1 hour). Strain with a muslin cloth and allow cooling. Place in a clean, sterilized jar, cover and use within a few days.

Oil Infusions are another way of incorporating different herbs into your hair. Oils are a common ingredient in hair conditioners so herbal oil infusions work best when added to these types of products.

Herbal Oil Infusions: Herbal Oils are great incorporated into Hair Conditioners, Hot Oil Treatments, Salves, Lotions, Creams, Bath or Massage Oils.

Cold Technique: Fill a screw top, sterilized jar with fresh or dried herbs of your choice. Cover with an oil such as Sunflower, Almond, Olive etc. Place the lid on tight and place the jar in a warm place. Leave for approximately two weeks, shaking the jar every day. Strain with a muslin cloth and place oil in a clean, sterilized jar with a secure lid.

Hot Technique: Place 2 cups of your choice of oil in the top of a double boiler with approximately 1 cup of dried herbs or 2 cups of fresh herbs. Place this pot over another pot of hot water and heat gently for 3-4 hours. Strain with a muslin cloth and place oil in a clean, sterilized jar with a secure lid.

Herbs for Hair

For Normal Hair:
Lavender, Chamomile, Rosemary and Rose.
These herbs promote shine, luster and manageability.

For Dry Hair:
Calendula, Comfrey and Sandalwood.
These herbs increase manageability. When used in combination with natural oils like Jojoba or Calendula, they can also help balance the oil level of the hair and scalp.

For Oily Hair:
Sage, Rosemary, Peppermint, Lemon, Lemongrass, Burdock and Henna.
These herbs have astringent properties and help absorb excess waxy sebum.

For Fine or Thinning Hair:
Peppermint, Nettle, and Sweet Basil.
These herbs help strengthen and thicken hair, increasing hair’s body.

For Chemically Treated Hair:
Kelp, Coltsfoot, Horsetail “Shavegrass”.
These herbs, used with Aloe Vera or Jojoba in the recipe, will gently cleanse while helping restore moisture.

For Hair suffering from Dandruff:
Horsetail “Shavegrass”, and Nettles.
These herbs help to control oil production of scalp while increasing blood circulation

Essential Oils in Haircare

Essential Oils are often used in hair care because of their ability to influence the sebaceous gland. The waxy sebum, which is excreted by these glands, is what determines whether one has normal, dry or oily hair. If the sebaceous gland produces too much sebum the air is oily, too little - dry, and just right – normal. The use of essential oils can help stimulate or regulate the sebaceous gland depending on the oils chosen.

The shampoo will turn cloudy as the essential oils mix with the water. For more detailed information on Aromatherapy and the use of Essential Oils please refer to our Aromatherapy section.

Oils to use:

Normal Hair: Roman Chamomile, Lemon, Basil, Geranium, Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Rosewood.
These oils will help to keep normal hair healthy, promoting conditioning, growth and hair vitality.

Dry Hair: Carrot Seed, Parsley, Lavender, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang
These oils will help to stimulate the sebaceous gland, regulating the flow of sebum to those with dry hair. These oils are also great for people who spend a lot of time in the sun, or who use chemical treatments or swim in chlorinated pools.

Oily Hair: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage and Frankincense.
These oils will help to regulate the production of sebum. Use a daily gentle shampoo and occasionally deep cleanse with a deep cleansing shampoo. You want to decrease the sebum, not strip the hair and have a dry hair problem.