Best Ingredients To Use In Herbal Hair Rinses
1. Horsetail
Horsetail contains high amounts of silica that helps strengthen your hair and reduce breakage (1). It is also used as an anti-dandruff agent (2). The astringent property of horsetail can help control the excess oil production in your scalp, which is beneficial for oily hair types.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
A study conducted on mice showed that the topical application of lavender essential oil had hair growth-promoting effects (3). It has calming effects that help reduce stress, which may cause hair loss. Lavender may also prevent itchy scalp and dandruff. A scalp massage with this oil increases blood circulation and promotes hair growth. A mixture of lavender and tea tree essential oils can also help treat head lice (4).
3. Rosemary
A study showed rosemary oil to be as effective as minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia and itchy scalp conditions (5). This herb’s antifungal properties help reduce dandruff and soothe the scalp (6).
4. Nettle
Many people use nettle to promote hair health, as its leaves are traditionally used to reduce hair loss. However, more clinical trials are needed to establish their efficacy. These leaves inhibit the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which reduces the production of DHT that causes hair loss (7). They also contain beta-sisterol, which promotes the formation of new blood vessels and supports new hair growth. It can help control hair loss in both men and women with hormonal imbalances (8). The antifungal activity of nettle acts against dandruff and scalp itchiness (9).
5. Sage
You can use sage to prepare a herbal tea rinse for hair. The antioxidants and natural oils in sage help strengthen the hair and stimulate hair growth. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this claim.
6. Basil
Studies have found basil extracts and basil oil to exhibit anti-dandruff activity (10).
7. Neem
Neem extracts have antifungal properties that can help treat dandruff (11), (12). Anecdotal evidence suggests that neem oil may help minimize hair dryness and frizz.
8. Calendula
Calendula has soothing and hydrating properties (13). These properties can relieve itching and flaking in the scalp and help treat dandruff.
9. Chamomile
The golden yellow chamomile flowers are often used to highlight blonde and dark brown hair. Chamomile has antifungal properties that can help prevent dandruff and treat scalp itchiness. However, there is insufficient research to prove this claim.
10. Parsley
Dried parsley is rich in apigenin, which stimulates hair growth by elongating the hair follicles (14), (15).
11. Tea
The essential nutrients in tea may aid in hair growth and improve your hair health. Black tea, green tea, and rooibos tea are commonly used ingredients in herbal hair rinses. Green tea contains EGCG, which can stimulate hair growth (16). Sean, a blogger, uses hair rinses to stimulate hair growth. On her blog, she writes, “I tend to use black tea, or a blend of apple cider vinegar and essential oils. I apply my hair rinse (after cleansing) to my scalp, letting it run along my strands. This is a simple remedy for some of those scalp troubles, and [it] helps reduce shedding, strengthen follicles and stimulate growth (i).” Using a herbal hair rinse can provide both health and beauty benefits to your hair as it is a nourishing and conditioning treatment made with an infusion of organic plant-based ingredients and essential oils. Scroll down to check out the recipes of some DIY herbal hair rinses using these ingredients.
Homemade Herbal Hair Rinse Recipes
1. Rosemary Hair Rinse
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of dried rosemary 1 cup of filtered water
Directions
2. Mint And Fenugreek Rinse
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds 1-2 teaspoons of mint leaves 1 teaspoon of honey 1 teaspoon of lemon juice 2 cups of water
Directions
3. Chamomile Hair Rinse
You Will Need
2 cups of filtered water 1/2 cup of raw apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers
Directions
4. Rosemary And Lavender Hair Rinse
You Will Need
2 cups of water 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons of dried lavender flowers
Directions
5. Rosehip And Chamomile Hair Rinse
You Will Need
2 cups of water 1 tablespoon of chamomile 1 tablespoon of rosehip 5 drops of lavender essential oil
Directions
6. Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Ingredients
2 cups of apple cider vinegar 2 cups of water
- Directions
- Note
- For Dark-Colored Hair: Rosemary, Nettle, Sage, and Black tea
- For Normal Hair: Horsetail, Nettle, Sage, Basil, Calendula, Rosemary, and Chamomile
- For Dry Hair: Calendula, Chamomile, Lavender, Horsetail, Sage, Nettle, and Burdock root
- For Oily Hair: Nettle, Peppermint, Horsetail, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Rosemary, Calendula, and Lemon
- For Itchy Scalp And Dandruff: Rosemary, Sage, Nettle, Calendula, and Burdock root
- For Thinning Hair: Nettle, Basil, Sage, and Rosemary
- Add baking soda to your herbal rinse to remove product buildup and excess oil from your hair. To lighten your hair color, add lemon juice to your hair rinse. From promoting hair growth to adding a natural shine to your hair, herbal hair rinses are beneficial in numerous ways. Check out the other benefits of herbal rinses in the next section.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Herbal Hair Rinses?
Help avoid the harsh chemicals in mainstream products Prevent hair dryness and ease detangling Strengthen and condition the hair Help treat dandruff and itchy scalp conditions Improve blood circulation to the scalp Soften the hair and prevent frizz Remove product buildup from the hair Add natural tints or highlights to your hair
How long does a rinse last in your hair? The herbal rinse lasts until you wash your hair. Will a rinse cover gray hair? No. A herbal rinse made with hair-darkening ingredients like coffee or beetroot may lightly color your hair, but it cannot completely cover your grays. Is there a rinse for gray hair? Yes. You may use herbal rinses made with natural hair-nourishing ingredients to improve gray hair health, appearance, and feel. Revitalize your hair with a natural rosemary hair rinse. Watch this video to learn how this simple DIY treatment can strengthen your strands, stimulate growth, and leave your hair looking healthy and lustrous.
