Hair health and beauty is influenced by many factors, including diet, stress, the environment, chemical treatments and styling appliances. According to "Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty" by Roberta Wilson, the most common hair and scalp problems are hair loss, dandruff, oily hair and dry hair. There are many home remedies available that holistic health practitioners believe can lead to healthier hair.
Dry Hair
Dry hair lacks shine and may appear lifeless. Dry hair can occur due to poor nutrition, overuse of dyes and other chemical treatments, overuse of heat styling appliances and styling products.
According to "Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty," the best essential oils for dry hair are chamomile, clary sage, cedarwood, rosemary and lavender.
To make a dry hair shampoo from essential oils, mix 4 drops of rosemary oil, 8 drops of lavender oil, and 8 drops of chamomile oil with 4 ounces of any unscented shampoo designated for dry hair.
To make a deep conditioning treatment, mix 4 drops of lavender oil, 8 drops of clary sage oil and 8 drops of cedarwood oil in 2 ounces of jojoba base oil. Blend thoroughly and treat hair once a week by rubbing the mixture into the hair and scalp and leaving on for 30 to 45 minutes. Shampoo with an over-the-counter shampoo for dry hair or use your homemade dry hair shampoo.
Oily Hair
Oily hair often clings to the scalp and has a greasy appearance. Factors that cause oily hair may include overuse of conditioners and styling gels, hormonal imbalances or diets high in sugar, fats and refined carbohydrates.
According to "Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty," eliminating fried foods, sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet along with reducing fat intake can help regulate oily hair. The best essential oils for oily hair include cedarwood, bergamot, clary sage, cypress, juniper, lemon, patchouli, lavender rosemary, pine, thyme, tea tree and ylang ylang.
Make an oily hair shampoo by thoroughly blending 2 drops of ylang ylang, 4 drops of rosemary oil, 4 drops of cedarwood oil, 4 drops of bergamot oil and 6 drops of lemon oil with 4 oz. of an unscented shampoo designed for oily hair. You can shampoo every day if you have oily hair.
Thinning Hair
Thinning hair and hair loss is an epidemic that affects both men and women. Genetics, skin disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, iron deficiency, poor circulation, stress and poor diet are all factors that may cause hair loss to occur, according to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F. Balch, M.D., and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
"Herbal Medicine," by Dian Dincin Buchman, Ph.D., recommends rinsing with sage tea to promote hair growth.
To make a shampoo to stimulate hair growth, mix 6 drops of ylang ylang oil, 8 drops of cedarwood oil, 10 drops of clary sage oil and 12 drops of rosemary oil with 8 ounces of unscented shampoo. Shampoo daily.
References
- "Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty"; Roberta Wilson; 1995
- "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing"; James F. Balch, M.D., Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C; 1997
- "Herbal Medicine"; Dian Dincin Buchman, Ph.D.; 1996
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