Herbs for Healthy Hair
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Winnie
Posted on: May 11, 1998

Is there a special herb that can help my hair grow better and be thicker and softer. I have knotty short hair and it needs help!!

Your hair is protein material, made from amino acids & minerals, and is thus greatly affected by nutrition. Hair can be robbed of its oils and nutrients by harsh shampoos, over-exposure to sunlight, and chemicals used in hair treatments.

Foods with a high protein content include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, brown rice, nuts, seeds, soy beans and brown rice. Cultures with high protein diets generally have healthy hair, while those with diets mainly of starches and sugars generally do not. Essential minerals are sulphur, found in egg yoke, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, onions and garlic, and calcium, found in dairy products and leafy green vegetables. Supplementing your diet with oils, such as Evening Primrose oil, food containing oils such as sunflower seeds, and Nettle tea, which has a high mineral content, will increase the vitamins and minerals in your blood, which feeds your hair.

Daily hair brushing and scalp massage bring the blood to the scalp to nourish the hair.

A baby shampoo can be used as a gentle shampoo. You can give your hair a protein conditioning by massaging a beaten egg into your scalp and the ends of your hair after washing, then rinse thoroughly after 5 minutes. Herbal rinses that will highlight natural colour include Chamomile for fair hair and Sage for dark hair. Make a strong tea with a teaspoon of the dried herb to a half cup of boiling water, infused for 30 minutes. Rinse your washed hair with the cooled, strained tea.

Rosemary is traditionally used for hair problems. A rosemary tea can be used both internally and externally to stimulate circulation to the scalp. A final rinse with a tablespoon of lemon juice (for light hair) or vinegar (for dark hair) in a litre of water will ensure removal of any film residues from pollution or hair products, and leave your hair looking shiny and healthy.

Back to Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.