Using natural herbal remedies to clean your scalp gives you the ability to gently clean your scalp and hair without chemicals. Problematic scalp conditions that can be addressed with herbal remedies include dandruff, itching, oily hair and damaged hair. Herbs and essential oils can cause allergic reactions through skin contact. Always use a small amount to test for contact allergies.
Anti-Fungal Shampoo
Natural beauty author expert Dina Falconi recommends creating an herb-infused shampoo that "defunks" the scalp and treats itching and flakes. Prepare an herbal tea by steeping 5 tsp. dried herbs in 10 oz. just-boiled water. Good choices include thyme, oregano, burdock root, mugwort and calendula, ideally in combination. Strain the herbal infusion and add 1/4 tsp. olive oil, 3 oz. liquid castile soap and 20 drops each essential oils of tea tree, rosemary and lavender. Bottle the mixture and use a small amount with each shower.
Herbal Friction Rubs
To quickly clean the scalp, add one or two drops essential oil to the scalp with a dropper. Briskly rub the oils into your scalp. Use lavender, rosemary, tea tree, sage or chamomile. Do not use more than a drop or two of essential oils directly on your scalp; they are highly concentrated and can irritate in larger amounts.
Oily Scalp Treatment
Add essential oils known for "degreasing" oily scalps to an unscented shampoo. Good options include lavender, rosemary and chamomile essential oil. Chamomile also lightens blond hair; rosemary makes a better choice for darker hair. Add about 12 drops of one or several essential oils to every 2 oz. shampoo. Use a small amount per shower, no bigger than the size of a quarter.
Dandruff and Dry Hair Herbal Rinse
Make a finishing rinse to treat flaky scalps and dry hair by infusing 5 tsp. dried herbs in a pint of water, suggests herbal health author Kathi Keville in her book "Herbs for Health and Healing." Anti-fungal herbs such as sage and burdock root work especially well for dandruff. Other good choices include chamomile, calendula, rosemary and lavender. Strain and cool the infusion, add 1 tbsp. vinegar, and pour it over the hair after shampooing. This herbal rinse works equally well if immediately rinsed with cool water or if used as a leave-in treatment, according to Keville.
Lemongrass-Vinegar Rinse for Dandruff and Oily Hair
Herbalist Jeanne Rose recommends using the herb lemongrass to relieve inflamed scalps resulting in overactive oil glands and flakes. Pour 1 cup boiling apple cider vinegar over 1 oz. dried lemongrass and steep it for one week. Strain and dilute up to 1/4 cup of the mixture in 1 cup water. Use it as a hair rinse after shampooing.
References
- "Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair"; Dina Falconi; 1998
- MotherNature.com: Herbs for Health and Healing: The Hair
- "Herbal Body Book";Jeanne Rose; 2000
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