Essential oils for hair care are a natural alternative to regular store shampoos, which often contain many chemicals and irritate sensitive scalps. Essential oils can be added to a fragrance-free shampoo base, available from many cosmetic suppliers who supply cosmetic bases to bath and body craft makers. Essential oils can be used to treat oily, dry, fine and normal hair conditions.
Oily Hair
Essential oils that are suitable for oily hair are often used to treat dandruff, too. Essential oils with antiseptic and/or astringent properties are suitable for oily hair care treatments. Suitable essential oils include basil, juniper, cedarwood, patchouli, tea tree, lemon, rosemary and ylang-ylang. Some of these essential oils should not be used if you're pregnant or have certain other health conditions. For example, rosemary essential oil should be not be used in pregnancy, in epilepsy and in cases of high blood pressure.
Normal Hair
Essential oils that are suitable for normal hair care are those essential oils with balancing properties. Balancing essential oils are usually gentle in their actions and suitable for use by all. Balancing essential oils for normal hair care include lavender and Roman chamomile. Another recommended essential oil for normal hair care is clary sage. However, clary sage essential oil is more volatile in its actions and is not recommended for use in pregnancy or in conjunction with alcohol, due to its narcotic effects.
Dry Hair
Essential oils that are suitable for dry hair care should be capable of stimulating the sebaceous glands. These glands secrete sebum, an oil that lubricates the skin and scalp. A person with dry hair is usually not secreting enough sebum. Essential oils suitable for dry hair care include peppermint and myrrh; however, both of these essential oils should be used in moderation and should not be used at all in pregnancy.
Fine Hair
Essential oils for fine hair care encourage hair growth. Suitable essential oils include caraway, rosemary, Roman chamomile, ylang-ylang and clary sage. Rosemary, clary sage and caraway should be used with caution, and individual essential oil profiles should be referred to for use in pregnancy and other health-related conditions. Caraway essential oil may cause skin irritation if not used in moderation.
Cautions
Although pure essential oils are natural products of nature, essential oils contain active chemicals that may cause some adverse reactions in people with certain health conditions. Use essential oils with caution and take advice if inexperienced in the use of essential oils.
References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils Julia Lawless 1995
- Aromatherapy for Women Shirley Price 2003
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