Best Herbs for Healthy Hair

In ancient times, herbs have been used for curing ailments and general personal care such as skin and hair care. If you are looking for natural hair care products, why not use the common cooking herbs which are readily available in your garden or kitchen.

Herbs are natural produce and they certainly help in managing healthy hair. This is the reason many hair products manufacturers include herbal produce into their products.

Read on to find the best herbs for healthy hair and how easy it is to make your own home remedies for hair care.

Firstly, you may want to know

What Causes Hair Quality to Deteriorate

• Old age. Needless to say and we don’t need to be reminded of this 🙂
• Nutritional deficiencies affect the quality of the hair. Our body, hair included, cannot do what it is meant to do without getting the right nutrients.
• Hormonal imbalance. There are many causes of hormonal imbalance ranging from menopause to birth control pills to a genetic predisposition. Thyroid hormones imbalance is a common culprit for hair loss.
• Emotional stress, trauma and anxiety can disrupt hormone levels in the body which leads to hormonal imbalance explained above.
• Physical stress that is over styling and overuse of hair products contribute to unhealthy hair. Hot blow drying, straightening and tying hair up too tightly included.
• Environmental factors. Weather, water as in chlorine content, air pollutants and sunlight exposure can affect the hair quality.

There may be several factors combined that cause hair quality to deteriorate. You may want to pinpoint which and mitigate each factor individually to lessen the effect. In the case of old age, well, keeping a healthy lifestyle is important.

Now, let’s look at the

Common Cooking Herbs That Promote Healthy Hair

These are easily available in your kitchen and you may use the same as part of your natural hair care treatment.

1. Basil
2. Parsley
3. Peppermint
4. Rosemary
5. Sage
6. Thyme

Basil

Ocimum basilicum, is rich in magnesium, a mineral that is vital for the hundreds of biochemical reactions in your body. In this case, basil helps to strengthen hair protecting it from breakage and improves circulation in the hair follicles stimulating growth.

Also, basil helps soothe the roots with its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, give the lustre to dull hair.

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum, is high in essential vitamins and antioxidants. Both are significant in protecting your hair and scalp from free radicals and improve circulation promoting healthy hair growth.

The minerals, zinc and copper found in parsley work together and separately to help regulate metabolism and produce melanin, the pigment that helps protect skin and hair from the sun’s harmful rays. Melanin also gives hair its colour.

Peppermint

Mentha piperita, contains a high amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals which are vital to maintaining good health, hair included.

Its minerals include magnesium, zinc and copper which benefits were explained above.

In addition, peppermint has antibacterial properties, eradicating bacteria which may enter your scalp. Thus, providing a conducive environment for hair to grow healthily.

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis, with its antioxidant properties, help to protect your hair and scalp from free radicals and improving circulation for healthy hair growth.

Whilst, its antibacterial properties gently cleanses hair, relieving irritated and dandruff-ridden scalps.

Rosemary also fights against premature greying and increases shine.

Sage

Salvia officinalis, contains vitamin B and C, as well as minerals – magnesium, zinc and potassium. All of these helps strengthen hair and improve growth.

With its antibiotic and antiseptic properties, it is ideal for curing skin conditions that may impede hair growth.

Also, sage is great in adding shine to dull hair and intensify hair colour. It is a natural hair tint for dark hair.

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris, is known to contain antifungal and antiseptic properties helping to heal and soothe your scalp. Since the main causes of dandruff are bacteria, sage being antiseptic helps keep dandruff at bay.

Additionally, sage contains minerals magnesium, potassium and selenium, essential for stimulating stronger hair growth.

Knowing these common cooking herbs and their benefits for hair, you may want to

Make Your Own Home Remedies for Hair Care

It is not very complicated to prepare. Moreover, these herbs are easily available from the grocery stores or you may even have some leftovers in your pantry or fridge.

Here are the simple remedies that can be prepared at home.

Encourage Hair growth

Basil

Make a paste-like mixture by grinding a handful of basil leaves and mix it with 2 tablespoons of pure coconut oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair while massaging the scalp gently in a circular motion. Leave it for 1 hour and wash off with a mild shampoo.

Parsley

Blend a handful of parsley sprigs with two tablespoons of water. Apply this mixture on your dampened scalp.  Leave for 1 hour and rinse off.

Mint

Make a mint leaves infusion by adding 2 tablespoons of fresh mint leaves or 1 tablespoon of dried mint leaves into 2 cups of hot water. Cover and let it rest until it cools down.

Strain and apply the mint infusion on the scalp while massaging gently in a circular motion. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse off. Repeat the process 2 – 3 times a week. The mint infusion can be kept for 1 week.

or

Prepare a herb infused oil using mint leaves with olive oil. Put a handful of fresh mint leaves in a sterilized glass jar and add extra virgin olive oil ensuring the mint leaves are fully submerged. Close the jar well and store it in a warm place for 4 weeks.

After which, strain and apply the oil to your scalp. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo.  This mint-infused oil can be kept for 1 week if using fresh mint leaves. Infused oil with dried mint leaves can be kept for up to 1 month.

You may want to read these related articles

Fresh vs Dried Herbs – how to substitute fresh herbs with dried and vice versa.

About Herb Infused Oil and steps on how to make your own.

About Mint Leaves – its health benefits and interesting ways to use it. You’ll be amazed by the different types of mint available.

Dandruff control

Thyme

Using a glass jar, fully submerge ¼ cup of thyme leaves with apple cider vinegar. Cover it and let the thyme leaves sit for 2-3 days.

Strain and pour into a cup or bowl. Mix with 1 tablespoon of honey and pour into a spray bottle.

Spray substantially on your scalp making sure it reaches the scalp by parting the hair if it is thick. This helps get rid of dandruff and stimulate hair growth too. Use daily if needed.

Rosemary

Using the herb-infused oil method, fully submerge a couple of rosemary sprig with extra virgin olive oil in a sterilized glass jar. Close the jar well and store it in a warm place for 4 weeks.

Strain and apply over your scalp. Leave for 15 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo.

Darken grey hair

Sage & Rosemary

Boil ½ cup each of dried sage and rosemary in 2 cups of water. Cover and let it sit for 2 hours.

Strain and apply it to your hair after shampooing. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse off. Repeat weekly.

This herbal rinse also improves the quality of hair, preventing clogged hair follicles and revitalizing dry hair. Also, it reduces dandruff.

Oily hair

Mint and Rosemary

Steep 2 tablespoons of fresh mint leaves and 1 tablespoon of rosemary leaves in a ½ cup of hot water for 30 minutes.

Strain and add the liquid to a ¼ cup of shampoo. Use it as you would regular shampoos. It may take a couple of weeks to see the improvement in the oily hair condition.

Increase shine and lustre

Rosemary

Steep 2 fresh sprig of rosemary leaves in 2 cups of hot water overnight.

Strain and use it as a final rinse after rinsing out the shampoo in your hair.

Sage

Boil 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves in a cup of water. Let it rest until it cools down. Use it as the final rinse after shampooing.

Do note that it could take weeks, sometimes months for these homemade remedies to show results. However, these are definitely safer and healthier than treating the hair with synthetic substances and additives.

Caution. Before using any herbal remedies on the scalp, test a small amount on the inside of the wrist. Do not use if experience itching, burning or inflammation. If pregnant, lactating or taking medication, please consult a doctor to ensure that a specific herb isn’t harmful.

Interested to find out how do bay leaf benefits hair and skin? Read more here.

Above All

There are many homemade remedies for hair care on the World Wide Web. Some of them using essential oil. In this article, I have chosen to share those using fresh or dried herbs because it is a great way to utilize these herbs.

Leftover herbs, waste not. Buy some to make remedies, why not. It is natural and healthy. Do you agree?

Click here to check out another Healthy Way to Use Common Cooking Herbs.

A famous phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. If your hair is in good condition, not damaged, why would you want to use hair care treatments/products? Nevertheless, why would you not give your hair a little bit of shine and lustre using natural homemade remedies?

A sprig or two of rosemary leaves and hot water is all you need to give your hair a well-deserved shine.

Consider Growing Your Own Herbs

Wouldn’t it be marvellous to have herbs for cooking or remedies all year round? If you have not a herbs garden, I urge you to consider one. Need not a garden. A few potted herb plants will suffice. It is a fun process and when you harvest your own herbs, I can see the sense of joy in you. Go on, find out more here.

Please Leave a Comment

How do you feel about using herbs from your kitchen or garden to make home remedies for hair care? Or do you still prefer buying natural hair care products? If you are buying, tell me what product it is. I look forward to learning more.

Also, if you know of any other homemade remedies, share with us! Yes?

Please leave them in the comments section below and have a Good Hair Day!

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From the Corner of My Home – Spice Up Your Life with Herbs and Spices

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional, and this post should not be taken as medical advice. Please do your own research. Material on this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for your own doctor’s medical care or advice.

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