Gorgeous, shiny, healthy hair is universally desirable–and easy to achieve. First, the basics: Eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep, and these will be reflected in the condition of your skin and hair. Additionally, keep your scalp and hair clean and well-nourished. You can also enhance the condition of your scalp (and hair) by using easy, homemade, all-natural herbal rinses. Hair rinses will help you achieve a healthy head of hair by boosting circulation, cleansing your scalp and conditioning your hair. They can also be used to subtly add natural highlights or darken your hair.
Natural hair rinses are as simple to create as making your favorite cup of tea. In fact, several of the ingredients, such as dried herbs and flowers, can be found in the tea aisle of your local grocery store. You can also use fresh or dried herbs from your garden for year-round healthy tresses. Here are some simple hair rinse recipes for you to create at home–enjoy!
For All Hair Types:
• Rosemary-Thyme Rinse
• Blackberry Leaf Rinse
• Irish Potato Rinse
• Refreshing Lavender-Mint Rinse
For Brunettes:
• Sage Rinse
For Blondes:
• Chamomile Rinse
• Rhubarb-Chamomile Rinse
For Redheads:
• Hibiscus Rinse
More Easy, Natural Hair Rinses
Try these rinses after shampooing. For added shine, when directed rinse hair with the coldest water you can stand. This will get your hair super clean and allow the hair cuticle to lie flat.
Calendula petals: To brighten blonde hair, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1⁄4 cup of calendula petals; let cool. Use as a final rinse post-shampoo.
Catnip: For a quick dandruff cure, brew a strong tea of dried catnip leaves and boiling water and massage into your scalp after shampooing. Rinse well with cool water.
Lemon juice: The juice of 1 lemon and 1 cup water mixed together brings back life and shine to dull hair. Use as a final rinse after shampooing, following with a cold-water rinse to remove all of the lemon water.
Baking soda: 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 cup water mixed together gets your hair really clean and removes all traces of styling gels and hair spray. Massage well into hair and scalp and rinse with warm followed by cool water.
Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 cup of water gives your hair shine and bounce. Use as a final rinse after shampooing and then rinse well with cool water.
Flat beer: 1 cup of flat beet will give your hair body. The beer scent will not remain once your hair is dry. For extra body, use beer as your final rinse (do not rinse out).
Tomato juice: 1 cup of tomato juice will remove any odor, such as smoke, from your hair. Massage into hair and rinse with warm, then cool water.
Try These Products
Don’t have time to whip up our recipes? You can still have healthy hair with these Herb Companion picks.
Pre-Shampoo Conditioner, Auromère Ayurvedic Imports
Scalp Therapé Conditioner, TheraNeem Organix
Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea Conditioner, CURLS
Janice Cox recently co-authored a book with her daughter Lauren Cox, EcoBeauty–Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends (Ten Speed Press, 2009). Look for it in bookstores nationwide.
