If you think essential oils just make your home smell good, you're missing out on the potential health and beauty benefits they have to offer. There are several essential oils that are routinely used in hair-care products that can bring life back to damaged, dull or flaky hair. Add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner or make a complete treatment using carrier oils.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil may be a beneficial dandruff treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which not only help dandruff but also kill bacteria and fungus, which could contribute to flaky, itchy scalp skin. Add a few drops to your shampoo at each washing. Avoid applying it directly to your skin because it is strong in its condensed form and may cause irritation. Tea tree oil may also kill head lice and their eggs.
Clary Sage
Clary sage is an essential oil commonly used to treat oily hair, according to Dreaming Earth Botanicals. Unlike tea tree oil, clary sage can be massaged directly on the scalp and into the hair. As an added bonus, it also promotes a sense of calm and well-being and may help you sleep if you use it close to bed time.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil may help hair growth, especially in patients with alopecia, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). In and article on lavender oil, UMMC reports that people who used the oil as a scalp massage for seven months grew significant amounts of hair back when compared to those who experienced an oil-free scalp massage.
Chamomile Oil
According to the National Institutes of Health, chamomile essential oils help soothe irritated skin caused by a variety of skin conditions. This may make essential oil of some benefit to people who experience scalp irritation, which causes unsightly flakes in the hair. Apply chamomile oil to broken, inflamed skin. A few drops rubbed between your palms and distributed through your hair can also increase hair's moisture and shine.
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