When I first started my healthy hair journey, my hair was breaking like crazy. Every time I 
combed, brushed, or styled my hair, I found tiny little broken hairs on my shirt, bathroom counter, and floor. At the time, I tried heavy protein treatments. The protein treatments caused even more shedding. Moreover, the hair creams specifically formulated to control breakage resulted in dryness. A few months later, I began to dabble in herbal remedies, and I became hooked on Herbal Rinsing!
Herb rinsing can be done by steeping herbs in hot water, letting the water cool, then pouring it over your head after rinsing out your conditioner. You can do herbal rinses to add shine, softness, nourishment, elasticity, and my favorite; to control breakage. Here’s a list of my favorite [and extremely effective] herbs you can use for herb rinsing:
For Hair Breakage
Burdock Root: This herb is known to strengthen and repair hair while adding sheen, hydration & luster. Burdock Root is also effective in reversing hair loss, correcting scalp issues, and promoting hair growth in individuals with a short growth cycle. The mucilage (the thick gluey substance) found in Burdock Root also helps add “slip” to your hair making the detangling process a lot easier.
Rosemary: The nutrients found in Rosemary can strengthen your strands much like that of a protein treatment, minus the drying effects. Rosemary also gives shine, body and softness. Better yet, this super herb helps correct scalp issues like dandruff and psoriasis.
Blue Malva: Is one of my favorite herbs to use for strengthening and repairing hair. Blue Malva is extremely effective in controlling breakage and repairing chemically damaged hair.
Hibiscus: Hibiscus strengthens hair from the papilla root to the ends of the hair, and works to seal the cuticles, stopping breakage in its tracks. Hibiscus is also loaded with mucilage. Thus, it is very effective as a detangling agent for highly textured curlies. This herbs also adds an incredible amount of softness and body to both relaxed and natural hair. **Hibiscus can stain clothes, so use caution when attempting a rinse with this herb**
For Shine, Softness and Body
Horsetail: Horsetail contains high amounts of silica and cysteine which are both great at conditioning hair, whilst adding shine and body. The silica found in Horsetail also helps to strengthen the hair and improving the elasticity as well.
Nettle: Nettle is rich in nourishing minerals that work to strengthen hair, add luster, and impart softness. This herb also stimulates circulation which in turns promotes hair growth.
Coltsfoot: Coltsfoot contains an abundance of mucilage, minerals, silica, sulfur and plant proteins which all work together to help add sheen, body, repair the hair shaft, improve elasticity, and promote hair growth.
Split Ends
Burdock Root, Horsetail, Nettle and Hibiscus are great for curing those split ends.
Directions:
- Add 1 cup of water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil
- Turn off heat and add 2 heaping teaspoons of your herbs to the water
- Cover saucepan and allow herbal infusion to steep for about 15-20 minutes
- Remove the herbs, or strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth
- Let cool
- Pour entire mixture over your hair after rinsing out conditioner
- Do not rinse out, any smell from herbs should dissipate after about 20 minutes
**For best results, use herbs that have been cut and sifted [these are usually labeled as C/S on packing and websites], as they contain more essential ingredients and are usually easier to use in comparison to powdered herbs.
How often should I do an herbal rinse?
For best results, use once weekly [or as often as you shampoo].
Where can you purchase herbs?
You may purchase these herbs at your local Health Food Store, or online.
If you are a little busy like me, you can always use an herb infused oil. Two excellent Herb infused oils are found at KeraVada.com
For you do it yourselfers try…
