Today, in the quest for luscious locks and vibrant hair, many turn to nature's bounty for answers. Herbs have long been cherished for their myriad benefits, and when it comes to hair care, they offer a holistic approach that addresses both internal and external factors. Across cultures and epochs, from the intricate formulations of Ayurvedic practitioners to the revered herbal traditions of indigenous peoples, the transformative power of plants in hair care has been celebrated with reverence. From traditional Chinese remedies to adaptogenic wonders, incorporating herbs into your daily regimen can provide comprehensive support for hair growth and overall hair health.
Whether you're seeking to concoct the perfect scalp tonic or integrate collagen-boosting formulations into your daily wellness routines, this guide extends beyond the realm of theoretical musings into the practical domain of application for navigating plant-based hair care with confidence and finesse.
Incorporating herbs into your daily hair care regimen can provide a natural, holistic approach to promoting hair growth and maintaining overall hair health. From traditional remedies like He Shou Wu to adaptogenic wonders like Ashwagandha, nature offers a diverse array of solutions for your hair care needs. By understanding the benefits of each herb and following key tips for usage, you can harness the power of plants to unlock the full potential of revitalized, resilient locks.
Cosmetics have been part of human life throughout the ages, helping our ancestors to look good, to keep their skin healthy, to maintain their teeth, to smell nice, and even to express their cultural or religious beliefs by painting their skin. Plants hold cultural significance in many societies, with indigenous knowledge systems preserving traditional herbal remedies for skin and hair care.
The use of herbs in cosmetics dates back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where botanical extracts were employed for therapeutic and beautifying properties. Herbal knowledge was transmitted across cultures through trade routes and cultural exchanges, leading to the adoption of various botanical ingredients in cosmetics worldwide.
The Renaissance period saw a resurgence of interest in herbal remedies, with herbalists and apothecaries compiling manuscripts detailing the medicinal and cosmetic uses of herbs. However, the Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in cosmetic production, with the mass production of synthetic ingredients overshadowing traditional herbal formulations. But before the arrival of these synthetic beauty tools in the 1900s, everything used in cosmetics came directly from nature—plants, minerals, and animals.
Fast forward to the 1990s and early 2000s, and natural ingredients were back in style. Many people got tired of seeing toxic chemicals in their beauty products, and companies raced one another to stand out in the crowd. Scientific research has increasingly validated the efficacy of herbal ingredients in cosmetics, highlighting their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-nourishing properties. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in natural and herbal cosmetics, driven by consumer demand for safer, more sustainable alternatives to synthetic products.
Herbalist Tips for Hair Growth
In the realm of natural remedies for hair health and vitality, a variety of traditional herbs have garnered acclaim for their remarkable properties. Let's delve into these botanical wonders and how they can be integrated into your hair care routine:
- He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti): Hailing from traditional Chinese medicine, He Shou Wu stands out for its renowned anti-aging and hair nurturing capabilities. Internally, incorporating He Shou Wu as a supplement can foster hair growth and stave off premature graying. When applied externally, it serves as a nourishing agent in hair masks or rinses, fortifying the scalp and bolstering hair follicles.
- Nettle: Bursting with essential vitamins A, C, K, and vital minerals such as iron and silica, Nettle emerges as a potent ally for hair wellness. Whether sipped as nettle tea or ingested through supplements, it promotes hair growth from within. Externally, incorporating nettle into hair rinses or shampoo formulations can mitigate hair fall and impart a lustrous shine.
- Gotu Kola: Esteemed for its proficiency in bolstering blood circulation, Gotu Kola emerges as a champion in fortifying hair follicles and promoting growth. Whether imbibed as a soothing tea or incorporated into skincare routines, its benefits extend to both internal and external realms, fostering scalp stimulation and augmenting hair thickness.
- Gynostemma: Aptly dubbed the "herb of immortality," Gynostemma boasts a plethora of benefits including enhancing energy, stamina, and strength while combating fatigue. Rich in minerals, it fortifies hair health, potentially slowing down the graying process according to some studies. Utilize it in hair rinses to infuse strands with nourishment and amplify their natural shine.
Follow Moon-Saturn transits (or Venus-Moon-Saturn) transits.
Saturn governs the hair, bones, nails, and joints. Strong Saturn placements (whether it be Venus and/or Moon) will signify good alignments for growth and repair. In astrology, Saturn is linked to structure, longevity, and the skeletal system. Therefore, herbs associated with Saturn are believed to possess properties that support these aspects of health. These herbs are celebrated for their ability to fortify the body's foundation, enhance vitality, and promote a radiant, youthful appearance.
In terms of hair health, here are three key Saturnian herbs to know: Horsetail, with its abundant reservoir of silica, emerges as a potent elixir, strengthening strands and nurturing growth from the roots. Gotu Kola, the celestial messenger of improved circulation, blesses us with strengthened follicles and an abundant crown. Nettle, an earthly manifestation of celestial wisdom, imbues our tresses with vital nutrients, nurturing both scalp and hair with its nourishing embrace.
Keep reading here for more about herbs to boost collagen naturally, and get a cosmic introduction to the Herbs of Saturn, and their impact on spiritual and emotional well-being, on our blog. And for those of you who don’t follow astrology, look no further than The Farmers’ Almanac for the transits.
Ritualize your process.
Integrating sacred rituals into your hair care regimen cultivates a profound alignment between your inner essence and the external manifestation of your being. Going beyond the mere physical, the act of reciting prayers or affirmations while tending to your scalp imbues each gesture with a spiritual resonance, infusing your self-care with profound significance. This intentional communion with your hair transcends its mere appearance, becoming a conduit for spiritual and emotional enrichment. As you lovingly attend to your hair, you are nurturing not just its physical health but also the radiance of your inner beauty and confidence. These rituals serve as sacred conduits, inviting harmonious energies and benevolent intentions into your life, fostering not only hair growth but also holistic well-being. By sanctifying your hair care routine, you are embracing a sacred expression of self-love, honoring the divine essence that resides within you. This isn’t just for aesthetic purposes, as your hair is a symbolic representation of the inner beauty you are calling in and maintaining.
More Tips for Hair Growth
- Ashwagandha: Renowned for its adaptogenic properties, ashwagandha offers a formidable defense against stress-induced hair loss. Whether consumed as a supplement or steeped into comforting teas, it aids in promoting overall hair health. Externally, incorporate ashwagandha into hair masks or oils to soothe the scalp and reinforce hair roots.
- Saw Palmetto: Recognized for its prowess in impeding DHT, a hormone associated with hair loss, Saw Palmetto emerges as a crucial component in supporting healthy hair growth. Embrace it as a supplement to bolster your hair's resilience. Furthermore, integrate saw palmetto extract into scalp treatments or shampoos to fortify against hair thinning.
- Rosemary: With its ability to enhance scalp circulation, rosemary emerges as a catalyst for stimulating hair growth. Embrace it internally through indulging in rosemary tea or incorporating it into culinary creations for its myriad benefits. Externally, harness the power of rosemary essential oil by infusing it into shampoos or massaging it onto the scalp, fostering follicular invigoration and combating dandruff.
- Horsetail: Revered for its silica-rich composition, horsetail emerges as a stalwart in fortifying hair structure and encouraging growth. Whether consumed as a soothing tea or in powdered form, it contributes to hair resilience from within. Externally, infusing horsetail into hair rinses or oils can further enhance hair strength and elasticity.
Combine with healthy lifestyle choices.
Pairing herbal treatments with a holistic approach to wellness is crucial for optimal hair health. While herbs possess potent nutrients and compounds that can address underlying issues affecting hair growth and strength, a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals will ensure that your body receives these nutrients to support hair growth from within. Additionally, regular exercise promotes circulation, delivering the vital nutrients your scalp needs for promoting healthy hair follicles. When you create a balanced routine of proper hair care, herbal remedies, and lifestyle choices working in harmony, you create a synergistic effect that addresses both internal and external factors that influence hair health. Over time, you’ll start to enjoy stronger, more vibrant strands.
NETTLE HAIR RINSE RECIPE
To make your own hair rinse recipe, there are a wide array of herbs you can choose from, but we’re using Nettle here because it’s a classic recipe in herbalism. We invite you to build on this recipe according to your needs, using others as a base that we love and are easy to find: Oat Straw, Horsetail, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Rosemary, Gotu Kola, and Thyme, to name a few.
Hair-boosting adaptogens as formula boosters: Gynostemma, He Shou Wu, and Amla. For hair growth, we love Mangosteen and Camu Camu for strong vitamin C content and Comfrey for regeneration. For darkening gray hairs, try blending Sage, Rosemary, and Nettle.
Making the rinse:
Use a teapot or jar and stack it all the way to the top with your base herb (we’re using Nettle). Or, follow a 2:1 ratio of water:plant – 2 cups water to 1 cup herb.
Pour hot water and allow it to steep for at least 8-12 hours. The longer it sits, the better. This will give the water a chance to withdraw all the herb’s chemical constituents. You can especially observe this with Nettle, as it becomes a black-ish tea after a longer maceration process.
Use your hand to press down the herb(s). As they rehydrate with water, be sure they remain submerged in water. Strain after a minimum of three or up to 12+ hours (overnight works well) and transfer to a spray bottle (if misting onto the scalp) or an airtight container if storing (rinse/tea can last a few days if kept cool and refrigerated).
Applying the rinse:
Once you’ve steeped and cooled your tea over 8-12 hours, pour it over your head and massage it into your scalp. You can also spray this into your hair or scalp if you’re not into rinsing and leaving it in. Either way, be sure to massage the rinse well from hair roots to tips. Optional: add 1-2 drops of a medicinally powerful essential oil like Helichrysum, which further supports skin health and healing.
Recommended usage: Once or twice monthly for the hair rinse, or 4-5 times weekly up to twice per day if drinking for hair strength and general well-being.
More herbalist tips:
Drink your rinses!
Make a daily mineralizing tea to strengthen hair health and overall well-being. One blend we love is Gynostemma, Oat Straw, Nettle, and Horsetail. We carry these herbs in bulk, but if you’d like a blend customized to your specific needs, stop into one of our apothecaries and ask for assistance from an on-site herbalist! Or, try a potent oil, elixir, or powder from our Collagen Booster Collection.
Fresh harvested nettle
One of the finest medicinal herbs that can be found almost anywhere in the world, Nettle comes in an abundance of varieties, so tune into the ones that might be uniquely local to your region! If you don’t have access to Nettle locally, add our bulk bags of Nettle to your home.
