Herbs & Botanicals For Hair Rinses
Herbs and herbal infusions have been used for centuries to naturally soften hair, increase manageability, nourish the scalp, restore luster, body, and bounce and promote the growth of strong, healthy hair.
Although commercial labs have created many hair care products made with synthetic colors, scents, preservatives and other ingredients, it is time to go back to the basics. Back to nature.
Herbs rely on the natural components stored inside to promote healthy hair and scalp, rather than the synthetic ingredients and chemicals that can damage hair and cause build-up.
Herbal hair rinses, made with water or vinegar, can provide deep cleansing, lighten, darken or enrich natural hair color, soothe irritation, prevent dandruff, or stimulate the scalp to increase growth.
For information on how to use prepare and use natural herbs for hair care, please read our blog, "How To Use Organic Herbal Hair Tea Rinses"
Herbs For Hair Care
Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, makes hair more manageable, smoother, silkier, and healthier. Aloe conditions, moisturizes, and creates a lovely shine. Mexican women have applied aloe vera for centuries to add luster and manageability to their hair. It also works as a natural conditioner and helps ease hair loss.
Good For: Body & Luster
Amla, Phyllanthus emblica, also known as the Indian Gooseberry, is an excellent hair conditioning herb. It provides nourishment that penetrates the scalp and strengthens hair at its root to promote stronger, healthier new growth and helps with hair loss by normalizing blood supply.
Good For: Hair loss/thinning
Aritha, Sapindus mukorrosi, also known as Soapnuts, is an excellent hair tonic, long known for its benefits for healthy hair and scalp. Used for centuries as an anti-hair loss shampoo, the natural antifungal, and antibacterial properties may help with dandruff. The natural saponins not only cleanse hair, but they also add body and sheen and make hair feel thicker, silky, and smooth.
Good For: Body & Luster
Basil, Ocimum basilicum, stimulates hair follicles, increases scalp circulation, and promotes hair growth. The magnesium in basil helps protect hair from breakage, and its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the roots. Basil adds luster to dull hair.
Good For: Hair loss/thinning and Body & Luster
Bhringraj, Eclipta alba (or prostrata) is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that helps boost hair growth, improves thinning hair, adds luster and shine, adds volume, eases hair loss, and helps rejuvenate the scalp and hair. Considered the "king of herbs" for hair growth, it adds deep moisture. Filled with magnesium, iron, calcium, and vitamins, it acts like a multivitamin for hair to help strengthen the hair shaft, provide natural shine, and may also help with dandruff.
Good For: Scalp conditions* and Hair loss/thinning hair
Black Tea, as a hair rinse is good for premature grayness and darkening hair. It also helps decrease shedding.
Good For: Dark highlights
Black Walnut, Juglans nigra, leaves are a great remedy for oily hair. The leaves and especially the hulls are a source of natural hair dye that can darken hair. It is often combined with henna to create brown hair dye.
Good For: Dark highlights
Burdock, Arctium lappa, strengthens hair follicles, to promote healthy hair growth and improve the overall condition of hair. The silica and phytosterols in burdock help soothe irritated scalp conditions like dandruff, decrease breakage, and repair hair while adding sheen, hydration & luster. The mucilage in Burdock Root also helps add “slip” to your hair to make detangling easier.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Hair loss or thinning; Tangles; Body & Luster
Calendula, Calendula officinalis, soothing to sensitive scalps, is rich in plant minerals that protect the hair from free radicals, and the scalp from bacterial growth. A calendula hair rinse conditions, adds shine, and can be used to create warm highlights.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*, Blonde highlights; Red highlights
Chamomile, Matricaria recutita, is used to soothe the scalp and condition hair. It adds highlights to fair hair and a sheen to dark hair and it conditions and softens. Chamomile tea makes a fantastic hair rinse for blonds, strengthens scalp tissues, and promotes healthy hair growth by correcting issues with scalp inflammation. Its moisturizing and cleansing properties help alleviate dandruff, itchiness, and flakiness. Reducing scalp conditions helps strengthens the hair follicles to help hair grow stronger.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Blonde highlights
Cloves, Syzgium aromaticum, make great hair rinses to bring warm tones to browns and enhance red and auburn highlights. The warm clove scent is an added bonus.
Good For: Dark highlights
Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, soothes and stimulates the scalp, and enriches lifeless hair. Comfrey tea, made from roots or leaves, poured over hair as a rinse, makes hair soft as silk.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Dark highlights
Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, a root rich in iron, helps treat dandruff and dry hair issues. Dandelion leaves are loaded with minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin A, that helps balance sebum. Dandelion infusions have been used to add sheen and light highlights to hair.
Good For: Body & Luster and Highlights
Elder Flowers, Sambucus nigra, are mildly astringent and help soothe a dry, irritated scalp. Hair-softening elderflower also helps dry damaged hair.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Body & Luster
Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, or Methi, provides natural proteins for the nourishment and health of hair, stimulates blood flow to the root of the hair, and was used to combat hair loss. Used as a treatment for dandruff, thinning hair, and damaged hair, it is said to preserve hair's natural color and keep hair silky.
Good For: Hair loss/thinning; Scalp conditions*
Flaxseed or linseed, Linum usitatissimum, comes from the flax plant, an annual herb. It is rich in mucilage, a complex mixture of polysaccharides that form a soothing gelatinous substance when water is added. The mucilage provides slip, like a conditioner, that helps detangle hair. Flaxseed, very rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids, strengthens the hair shaft and may help with hair loss.
Good For: Hair Loss; Tangles
Ginger Root, Zingiber officinale, helps increase scalp circulation which stimulates hair follicles and encourages growth. The fatty acid composition of ginger root is great for thinning hair. Ginger also has antiseptic properties that work to help with dandruff.
Good For: Hair Loss; Dandruff
Green Tea, Camellia sinensis, has antioxidants that benefit the hair and scalp by decreasing hair loss and soothing irritated scalp conditions like dandruff. It contains natural vitamin C which helps guards against damage from UV rays, vitamin E which helps dry or damaged hair, and panthenol which helps strengthen and soften hair and prevents split ends. Green tea is an excellent rinse for fighting dandruff. It helps regulate oil production and calm the itching and any redness associated with irritated.
Good For: Hair Loss; Dandruff; Scalp conditions*
Henna, Lawsonia inermis, is a desert flowering plant. The powdered leaves have been used since ancient times as a natural dye. Henna gives hair a reddish tint and, when mixed with other botanicals such as indigo and cassia, can create a variety of beautiful warm colors. Henna, a deep conditioner, coats the hair shaft, seals in moisture, tightens the cuticle, increases body and luster, and makes hair silky soft. Nutrients in henna nourish hair follicles, promote hair growth, and reduce shedding. Its antibacterial properties help with dandruff and flaky scalp.
Good For: Red highlights; Red color; Body & Luster; Conditioner
Cassia obovata, Cassia obovata (also known as Senna italica) often called neutral henna, is not a type of henna at all. The ground leaves look like henna but contain a golden yellow dye molecule that adds color to very pale blond or gray hair. An excellent conditioner, it strengthens the hair shaft, enhances volume, adds shine, and may help improve dandruff. It is often mixed with true henna.
Good For: Body & Luster; Blond highlights; Conditioner
Hibiscus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, or Javakusuma, is used to lessen gray hair and promote hair growth. The flowers and leaves contain mucilage and plant proteins that help in the treatment of dandruff and hair loss. Hibiscus infusions are great as a final herbal rinse, add warm red hues, provide excellent slip and help detangle naturally curly hair.
Good For: Red highlights; Scalp conditions*; Tangles
Hops, Humulus lupulus, help heal and repair damaged hair. They contain a nourishing oil that is an effective hair conditioner and thickener. Hops help stimulate scalp circulation and encourage growth. Its antiseptic properties help with dandruff.
Good For: Scalp conditions*; Hair loss/thinning
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense, is nourishing and hydrating, stimulates blood vessels in the scalp and has been used for centuries as a hair growth herb. The silica in horsetail helps strengthen hair, prevent breakage and ease shedding. It adds shine and luster to hair.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Body & Luster; Hair loss/thinning
Lavender, Lavendula officinalis, a soothing herb, has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties that help with hair loss, shedding, and inflammatory scalp conditions. Its ability to balance oil production makes it a great hair care herb for all hair types.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Hair loss/thinning
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, a mild astringent, makes a very good rinse for those with oily hair. The toning properties of Lemon Balm help balance and refresh hair and scalp.
Good For: Oily hair & Scalp
Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratum, has astringent and tonic properties that make it useful in the treatment of scalp inflammations. Lemongrass balances skin oil by helping to normalize oil production and is useful for both oily and dry hair.
Good For: Oily hair & Scalp
Licorice Root or Yashtimadhu, Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a traditional herbal remedy used in India and around the world. The root is good for improving hair growth and is often used in products to help with hair loss. It helps keep the scalp moist and hydrated and helps strengthen the hair shaft.
Good For: Hair loss/thinning; Dry hair & Scalp
Marsh Mallow, Althaea officinalis, soothes and provides relief from scalp irritation. A great alternative to store-bought conditioners, it contains mucilage, which provides "slip" to help detangle as well as condition thick naturally curly, wavy, or coarse hair. High in plant proteins, it nourishes, conditions, and promotes hair growth and luster.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Tangles; Conditioner
Mullein, Verbascum thapsus, rich in mucilage, has been used as a soothing emollient for inflammatory scalp conditions and dry hair and scalp. Mullein can be used as a floral rinse to add golden highlights and brighten hair.
Good For: Blond highlights; Dry hair and scalp
Neem, Azadirachta indica, helps repair damaged hair, strengthens hair as it naturally conditions, smooths frizz, improves manageability, restores sheen, and encourages hair growth by promoting a healthier scalp. The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of neem help ease irritated scalp conditions like dandruff.
Good For: Dry hair and scalp; Dull hair; Scalp conditions*
Nettle, Urtica dioica, stimulates the scalp, improves circulation, and helps promote fuller, more radiant hair. Nettles have a long-standing reputation for preventing hair loss and making the hair soft and shiny. Nettle, an excellent hair conditioner, is rich in minerals and plant hormones, is tonic and astringent, and gives a healthy gloss to hair. Nettle is said to be a remedy for oily hair and hair shaft breakage. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which makes it helpful in tackling conditions like dandruff.
Good For: Dry hair and scalp; Oily hair and scalp; Scalp conditions*; Hair loss or thinning; Dark highlights; Body & Luster
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum, moisturizes, gives luster, stimulates growth, soothes scalp inflammation, and helps with dandruff. Parsley is high in essential vitamins and antioxidants which are essential for protecting the hair and scalp from free radicals. It also enriches color and gives a nice luster to hair.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Body & Luster; Scalp conditions*
Peppermint, Mentha piperita, leaves are widely recognized for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and astringent properties. It stimulates nerve endings and hair follicles which increases local blood flow to the scalp leading to better hair growth. Peppermint cools, soothes and calms down an irritated scalp, at the same time. While peppermint is more of scalp care herb than a hair one, a healthy scalp always makes way for healthy hair.
Good For: Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Hair loss/thinning
Plantain, Plantago major, a weed commonly found in the wild, moisturizes the scalp and is one of the most effective anti-itching herbal remedies available. It is a good scalp stimulant and used in many hair loss treatments.
Good For: Scalp conditions*; Hair loss/thinning
Rose Petals, Rosa spp, has healing properties that are useful in treating mild scalp inflammation, moisturizing and nourishing qualities that promote shine, and stimulating properties that increase the blood supply in the scalp to promote hair growth. Rose Petals have antiseptic properties and may be useful to ease scalp irritations. Rose petals also brighten red hair.
Good For: Red highlights; Scalp conditions*
Rosemary, Rosemarinus officinalis, encourages hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp, encourages strong, healthy hair, stimulates growth, increases manageability, and adds shine and luster. The stimulating and revitalizing properties of rosemary help condition both hair and scalp. Its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe an inflamed or irritated scalp and prevent flaking and dandruff.
Good For: Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Hair loss/thinning; Dark highlights; Body & Luster
Sage, Salvia officinalis, rich in antioxidant, astringent, and antibacterial properties, is a soothing hair tonic and a natural treatment for scalp dryness. Sage tea adds shine and depth to dark hair and helps darken graying hair. Sage will remove residual shampoo and conditioner that has built up on your hair to leave it shiny and soft.
Good For: Dry hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Hair loss or thinning; Dark highlights
Seaweed or Kelp, mineral-rich, adds protection to the surface of the hair, reducing moisture loss and infusing it with vitamins. Seaweed proteins strengthen roots, add body and shine and condition the scalp and hair. The nutrients in seaweed are a great way to help limp and lifeless hair.
Good For: Body & Luster
Shikakai, Acacia concinna, referred to as "fruit for the hair," has been used for centuries as an Ayurvedic hair care herb. It is known to help promote healthy hair and add shine to brittle, dull, and frizzy hair. It has a naturally mild pH, and it gently cleans hair without stripping natural oils and helps increase body, bounce, silkiness and shine. As a natural hair conditioner, Shikakai is said to promote hair growth, strengthen hair roots, decrease split ends, ease tangles, and fight dandruff.
Good For: Body & Luster and Hair loss/thinning
Soapnuts (Reetha), Sapindus mukorossi, is popular Ayurvedic hair care herb used by women for centuries. It has been used as a natural shampoo for its cleansing properties. The natural saponins cleanse hair without stripping natural oils and make hair feel thicker, silky, and smooth. Reetha, an excellent hair tonic, has long been known for its benefits for healthy hair and scalp. It adds body, bounce, and shine to dull hair, helps treat scalp infections and dandruff, and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent hair loss.
Good For: Body & Luster and Hair loss/thinning
Thyme, Thymus vulgaris, has antiseptic and antifungal properties that cleanse, heal and soothe the scalp. Thyme is often used in deep cleansing shampoos, helps ease dandruff, and stimulates hair follicles to help with hair loss.
Good For: Oily hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*; Hair loss/thinning
Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum, or Holy Basil, is helpful in conditioning the scalp by improving blood circulation thereby helping cells receive nutrients and oxygen. It is also useful for dandruff and general hair care.
Good For: Hair loss/thinning
Wheatgrass, Triticum aestivum, known for its cleansing properties, helps remove dead cells from your scalp which can help with dandruff and hair loss. It can also help relieve an itchy scalp as well as restore shine and luster to dull hair.
Good For: Hair loss/thinning; Scalp conditions*; Body & Luster
Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, leaves, and bark are astringent and help deep clean oily hair.
Good For: Oily hair & Scalp
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is effective for treating dandruff, itchiness, scalp irritation, and oily scalp. It has also been shown to help counteract hair loss. Regular use of a strong yarrow tea can lighten hair.
Good For: Oily hair & Scalp
Yucca Root, Yucca schidigera, an emollient that contains natural saponins, a natural cleansing, and foaming agent, making it an ideal ingredient in shampoo and other hair care products. It soothes and nourishes the scalp. Navajos swear by yucca root to prevent hair loss and to cure dandruff.
Good For: Hair loss/thinning; Dry hair & Scalp; Scalp conditions*
*Scalp conditions: inflammation, dandruff, irritated or sensitive skin, itchiness, dermatitis
Conclusion
There are a lot of things you can do with hair care herbs. The best way to take advantage of the magic of these herbs is to make a herbal hair tea conditioning rinse.
We have been "conditioned" to use conditioner after shampooing for shiny, manageable hair. Your commercial conditioner probably contains silicones, like dimethicone, which coat the hair and give it a shiny and smooth appearance. Unfortunately, silicones tend to build-up on the hair and scalp over time which results in dry, dull, and lackluster hair. This build-up can also clog hair follicles and slow hair growth.
Even if you choose a silicone free conditioner, your commercial conditioner will contain synthetic preservatives, colors and fragrances that your hair and scalp do not need.
An herbal hair rinse is full of only magical plant goodness. So what can these natural rinses can do for your hair?
- Restore shine and softness
- Help with tangles
- Tame frizz and flyways
- Increase manageability
- Soothe irritated scalp conditions
- Add moisture
- Restore body and bounce
- Stimulate circulation
- Reduce shedding
- Stimulate growth
If you have ever made a cup of tea, making an herbal hair rinse will be easy. Just choose your herbs or use one of our Herbal Hair Tea Rinse Blends and brew away.
Read our blog, "How To Use Herbal Hair Tea Rinses"
We use many "hair care herbs" in our Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinses and in many of our Shampoo Bars.
