Hair Herbal Solution

Well-groomed, shiny, and resilient hair is a surefire way to boost attractiveness and self-confidence. We eagerly wash, moisturize, condition, straighten, and add volume and shine to our locks. Since the scalp is the most absorbent part of our body, choosing genuinely green hair care should certainly become a shopping priority.
Shampoo is the most frequently used hair product. Water and detergent make up almost all of a conventional shampoo’s formulation, featured at the beginning of ingredients labels, with moisturizing emollients and plant extracts often adding up to no more than 1 percent. But let’s not be deceived by the word “organic” on the label. The amount of organic aloe vera extract in a shampoo may be very minuscule—sometimes less than 1 percent. What truly matters for the health of our hair is the bulk of the shampoo, namely, the quality of the detergent and the amount of emollients. Both have to be of plant origin, derived without the use of toxic chemical processes.
We love the idea of herbs and botanical ingredients nurturing our hair back to health, but while many mainstream herbal shampoos brazenly claim to be natural and organic, must contain tiny amounts of beneficial botanical ingredients, with the bulk of the product consisting of harsh detergents, preservatives, and petroleum-derived silicones.
The quality of a detergent—that foam-producing ingredient that dissolves oil and grime—is the most important thing to consider when choosing a shampoo. The very nature of the detergent action of shampoo interferes with the scalp’s natural barrier function and makes it even easier for chemicals to penetrate. Most often you will find sodium lauryl sulfate and its milder brother, sodium laureth sulfate, on the label. Both have been questioned as cancer-causing ingredients, although a research
panel organized and sponsored by the cosmetic industry declared them safe for use. Also, steer clear of cocamide diethanolamine (DEA) and ammonium laureth sulfate, which often make up to one-third of an average shampoo bottle. Any ethoxylated compounds are a major no-no in a truly organic beauty product.
The quality of a detergent—that foam-producing ingredient that dissolves oil and grime—is the most important thing to consider when choosing a shampoo.
Even shampoos that claim to be organic can contain harsh cleansing agents. Humectants and emollients in shampoos are nice additions, but they make little difference because they are washed off so quickly. Still, vegetable glycerin, aloe extract, jojoba oil, honey, and lecithin make shampoo more nourishing as they fill in the pores of a hair shaft and keep the hair surface smooth. They also soothe and moisturize the scalp. Since human hair is made of dead protein, it’s impossible to infuse it with proteins—but milk, wheat, soy, rice, and oat extracts do make hair softer and more resilient. Some plants, such as calendula, yarrow, and burdock, work as mild astringents and can soothe scalp irritation, while citrus oils, apple cider vinegar, and rosemary seal the hair cuticle and help create a brilliant shine. Many organic brands offer concentrated shampoos with little added water. This is economical, since you only need a drop of shampoo to make a nice lather, and this also eliminates the need for strong preservatives. Grapefruit seed oil, vitamins A, C, and E, benzoin extract, and wheat germ act as natural preservatives in these shampoos.

How often should you shampoo?

It depends on the state of your hair. If your hair is fine and dry, daily shampooing, even with the mildest product, can increase dryness. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, or if you wear lots of styling products, shampooing daily is recommended. Look at the condition of your hair and act accordingly! Yet be aware that frequent washes in hard water can make your hair brittle and prone to split ends. “Women use way too much shampoo,” notes John Masters, the pioneer of professional organic hair care and colors. “Besides, they use too much pressure when they wash their hair. Daily shampooing is not essential. You have to learn to be gentle to your hair.
Remember all those magic shampoos that promised to instantly revitalize your hair? Let me remind you once again: your hair is made of dead keratin molecules and cannot be revived from the outside. You cannot feed it or improve its structure by applying minerals or vitamins or chemicals on its surface. All you can do is to temporarily smooth and stiffen the hair shaft so it looks shiny and more manageable. By coating hair follicles in silicones, plant oils, or waxes, you can make brushing and styling easier, too.
There are several types of conditioners available today. The most popular type is a rinse-off conditioner, which is applied after the shampoo, left on to penetrate a minute or two, and then rinsed off. There are also leave-in conditioners that you apply before brushing your wet hair and you don’t rinse out. Finally, there are deep rinse-off conditioners that you apply once a week or whenever you feel your hair needs a quick fix of nutrients or a boost in shine.
Oily hair benefits most from rinse-off conditioners; dry hair needs a weekly deep hot oil treatment in addition to a moisturizing conditioner used after every wash. Colored, permed, or sun-bleached hair benefits from leave-on conditioners with essential oils, amino acids, and plant proteins. Those lucky few whose hair behaves well but whose scalp sometimes feels itchy can benefit from conditioners and rinses with aloe vera, zinc, and plant-derived silicones. By all means avoid propylene glycol, cetrimonium chloride, mineral oil, petroleum-derived silicones, and hydrolyzed animal protein, found in practically all conventional conditioners.
A good plant-based conditioner is an important part of your hair care routine.Making a quick and perfectly conditioner is extremely easy. As with face masks, you usually already have all the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard. If not, they are readily available in health food stores and online. While there are excellent, lovely scented conditioners for every possible hair dilemma, your own conditioner will come at a fraction of the price, and you can custom-tailor the blend to suit your needs.

Solutions for Oily Hair

If your hair tends to be greasy and you need to wash it every day, you need to re-balance the oil production in your scalp. Use a mild shampoo, or better yet, an organic baby shampoo, which is generally more oil-stripping than adult shampoos, and apply an oil-balancing hot oil treatment once a week. (Don’t be scared, extra oil won’t make your scalp oilier!) The next recipe also works well against dandruff because dandruff and oily scalp march hand in hand in many people.
If your hair is oily, look for shampoos with natural astringents such as sage, tea tree, juniper, and lemon.
Apple cider vinegar is a traditional, time-tested treatment for oily hair. You can use vinegar if you have dandruff, too, even if you think your hair is dry. Splash some vinegar in the palm of your hand and run it through your hair with your head tilted back. Massage the vinegar into the scalp. The odor may seem strong, but some people find it uplifting, and it will be gone after shampooing. After just one application, your hair will be more bouncy and shiny. With daily applications, you will soon be receiving compliments about your hair!
Honeydew melon makes an express hair treatment for oily hair. Simply mash or blend a quarter of an organic melon, then massage the puree into your scalp. Cover with a clean towel and relax for ten minutes, then shampoo and rinse out.
Neutral henna is an excellent toner for oily scalps that are prone to dandruff. Prepare a quick hair mask with neutral (uncolored) henna, aloe vera juice, and lemon juice, blended in equal proportions, and then massage it into your hair and scalp. Leave it on for a few minutes. This mask can lighten your hair color a little bit, so you may want to replace lemon juice with organic apple cider vinegar.

The green beauty guide