From the dawn of human history, farmers, herbalists, and healers have followed the lunar calendar to optimize everything from plant growth to personal care rituals. But did you know the Moon’s cycles can also influence your hair’s growth, strength, and shine? Whether you’re looking to stimulate growth, nourish your strands, or detox your scalp, timing your routine with the natural rhythms of the Moon can make all the difference.
Welcome to the Hair Moon Calendar, where we align our hair care routines with the lunar phases to harness the Moon's natural energies for optimal hair health and rejuvenation. This botanically-infused guide combines time-honored traditions, scientific insights into plant remedies for renewal, and the influence of moon phases on hair care practices. Let’s get right into our herbalists’ illuminated take on which herbs, oils, and rituals work most synergistically with each lunar phase—it’s time to uncover your hair’s fullest potential!
Best For: Scalp treatments, detoxification, and hair masks.
The New Moon symbolizes fresh starts, making it the perfect time to focus on scalp health and follicle stimulation. This phase is ideal for detoxing the scalp, removing buildup, and creating a healthy foundation for new growth.
Herbs + Oils
Rosemary, a well-researched herb in trichology, is known for its ability to improve microcirculation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles, which can promote thicker, healthier hair. Comfrey, rich in allantoin, has been traditionally used to encourage cell regeneration and strengthen hair strands. And no hair-fortifying routine is complete without nourishing nettles, which provide a powerhouse of silica, iron, and vitamins A and C, essential for reducing hair shedding and boosting the overall radiance of your locks.
Moonlit Ritual
To enhance the effects of this lunar phase, perform a scalp massage using a blend of herb-infused oils. Packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, rose oil deeply nourishes the scalp, reducing dryness and inflammation. Castor oil, known for its high ricinoleic acid content, helps improve hair density and strength by supporting the scalp’s natural balance. Massaging these oils into the scalp not only enhances circulation but also aids in detoxification, helping to clear away excess sebum and product buildup. This practice supports follicle health and creates a grounding, restorative experience in alignment with the New Moon phase.
Best For: Growth-focused treatments, hydration, and strengthening hair.
The Old Farmer's Almanac notes that the waxing phases of the Moon are considered fertile and wet, while the waning phases are seen as dry and barren. Applying this wisdom to hair care, we can tailor our routines to the Moon's cycles to enhance hair health and growth.
Herbs + Oils
As the Moon transitions from new to full, its waxing phase is believed to encourage cell regeneration and hair strengthening, supporting the hair’s natural repair processes. Horsetail, a time-honored herb in hair care, is rich in silica—a key mineral for enhancing hair strength, elasticity, and shine. Silica supports collagen production, which fortifies hair strands and reduces breakage. Vetiver, traditionally used in Ayurvedic practices, is known for its cooling and grounding properties, helping to soothe the scalp, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy follicle function.
Moonlit Ritual
To harness the energy of the Waxing Moon, apply protein-rich masks or herbal hair rinses to reinforce the hair’s structure. Jojoba oil, which closely mimics the scalp’s natural sebum, deeply hydrates without clogging pores, making it an excellent choice for balancing oil production. Carrot seed oil, packed with beta-carotene, vitamins A and E, and powerful antioxidants, nourishes the scalp and protects against environmental stressors, improving moisture retention and hair resilience. Incorporating these oils into a weekly hair ritual during this lunar phase can enhance elasticity, prevent brittleness, and promote strong, vibrant hair growth.
Best For: Haircuts aimed at achieving thicker, stronger hair growth.
The Full Moon is a time of peak energy, amplification, and abundance—an optimal phase for encouraging thicker, healthier hair growth. Folklore across cultures suggests that cutting hair during a Full Moon promotes stronger regrowth, aligning with the lunar cycle’s natural rhythms of expansion and vitality. Modern herbal wisdom supports this idea, as the Full Moon phase is associated with increased circulation and nutrient absorption.
Herbs + Oils
Mangosteen, rich in xanthones and antioxidants, helps combat oxidative stress on the scalp, which can contribute to hair thinning and premature aging. He Shou Wu, a revered herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has long been used to nourish the blood, strengthen hair follicles, and restore natural hair color by replenishing kidney and liver energy—organs believed to be deeply tied to hair health in TCM and many other traditional medicinal systems.
Moonlit Ritual
To embrace the Full Moon’s transformational energy, trim split ends to promote healthier growth, then follow up with a deeply hydrating treatment. Aloe vera, a natural humectant, provides intense moisture while soothing the scalp and reducing irritation. Plantain, known for its healing properties, can help repair damaged hair and calm scalp inflammation. For an added lunar magick trick, consider a moonlit hair rinse—allowing your hair to soak in herbal-infused water under the moonlight—to symbolize renewal, strength, and luminous beauty.
Best For: Trimming for maintenance, reducing breakage, and clarifying the scalp.
As the Moon begins to wane, we enter a moment of release and reflection. This is an ideal time for trimming away split ends, shedding damaged strands, and clarifying the scalp to remove buildup. The waning phase supports letting go—physically and energetically—making it a liberating and cleansing time for hair care, focusing on detoxification and renewal.
Herbs + Oils
Burdock root, long used in herbal medicine for its detoxifying properties, helps cleanse the scalp and balance sebum production, creating a healthier environment for new hair growth. Black walnut, revered in folk traditions for its ability to strengthen hair and deepen natural color, is an excellent addition to hair rinses. With its purifying and antimicrobial qualities, clary sage helps reduce dandruff and scalp irritation while promoting shine and resilience.
Moonlit Ritual
Incorporate a clarifying hair rinse or a gentle scalp exfoliation to align with the Waning Moon's cleansing energy. A rosemary and apple cider vinegar rinse helps remove excess oil and product buildup, restoring the scalp’s natural pH balance. An exfoliating scalp scrub using fine sea salt, aloe vera, and jojoba oil encourages circulation while detoxifying the scalp, leaving it refreshed and primed for new growth as the next lunar cycle begins.
Best For: Deep conditioning, repair, and introspective self-care.
The Dark Moon, the final stage before the New Moon, is a time of deep rest and renewal. In many spiritual traditions, this phase represents stillness, making it the perfect opportunity to focus on nourishment, hydration, and recovery. Hair treatments during this phase should prioritize repair and replenishment, ensuring your locks are strong and healthy for the coming cycles of the Moon ahead.
Herbs + Oils
Marshmallow root, rich in mucilage, deeply hydrates and softens hair, making it a staple for moisture retention. Brahmi, a revered Ayurvedic herb, supports hair rejuvenation by strengthening the scalp and calming stress, which can contribute to hair loss. Evening primrose oil, packed with gamma-linolenic acid, is known for restoring hair elasticity and improving overall scalp health.
Moonlit Ritual
Engage in a deeply nourishing hair mask using shea butter, coconut milk, and honey to restore moisture and elasticity. Wrap your hair in a silk scarf or cover it with a warm towel to allow the nutrients to penetrate deeply. Take this moment to practice self-reflection, journaling, or a soothing tea ritual to align with the Moon’s restful energy, preparing yourself—and your hair—for the renewal ahead.
Tresses, Traditions + Folklore
Many ancient cultures have long associated the Moon with beauty rituals, including hair care. In South American traditions, Indigenous healers often cut hair during specific lunar phases to promote longevity and vitality. In European folklore, it was believed that trimming hair on a Full Moon resulted in thicker, more lustrous locks. Ayurvedic wisdom emphasizes the connection between lunar energy and bodily rhythms, recommending oiling the hair during specific moon phases to maintain balance and nourishment.
In many African traditions, hair is deeply symbolic of spiritual and ancestral connections. Braiding patterns and hair care rituals are often performed in alignment with lunar cycles to invite protection, strength, and prosperity. Similarly, in TCM, the Moon is seen as governing yin energy, influencing hydration, nourishment, and renewal—critical components of healthy hair.
Integrating Lunar Hair Care Into Modern Self-Care Routines
Embracing lunar hair care doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your routines—a few minor mindful adjustments can yield meaningful results. Consider aligning your trims, deep conditioning treatments, and scalp care with the lunar phases to enhance the natural rhythm of your hair’s growth and restoration cycles. Keep a hair journal, noting how your locks respond to these changes over time. Pair your lunar hair rituals with mindful self-care practices, such as breathwork, aromatherapy, or a grounding tea ritual, to amplify the connection between your inner and outer well-being.
Much like the tides and the cycles of nature, our hair thrives when we nurture it in harmony with the Moon’s wisdom. When we incorporate these ancient traditions into our modern self-care practice, we honor the cycles of growth, release, and renewal while cultivating a deeper connection with ourselves and the natural world. Whether trimming for strength, oiling for nourishment, or detoxing for renewal, each moon phase offers an opportunity to align with nature’s sacred rhythms. As you embark on your Hair Moon Calendar journey, we hope that each lunar phase brings you closer to the vibrant, healthy hair you desire—set into motion by the timeless tides of celestial wisdom dancing in our skies.
