Make hair spray with lemons or oranges for a simple, sticky styling aid. (Credit: Brooke MacDonald)
Don't compost that browning avocado. Whip up a batch of my avocado hair paste instead! Wonder what to do with all the peppermint and lavender in your garden? Make my herbal tea shampoo.
My eight simple hair care recipes (including dog shampoo) will help you avoid toxic chemicals found in many cosmetics—from SLS and SLES to parabens and fragrance—and help reduce food waste, all at the same time!
These DIY hair care recipes are tested by moi (I took a bullet for you when I experimented with a honey and olive oil recipe). You'll find all the ingredients in your kitchen, a local health food store or organic grocer, or in your garden.
(Note: Always label your homemade concoctions. My husband mistook my bowl of avocado hair mask for guacamole at least once. Good thing it's made with food-grade ingredients.)
Benefits of natural ingredients in homemade cosmetics
Avocado: packed with protein and natural oils rich in Vitamins A and B
Aloe juice or gel: excellent moisturizer that enhances and accelerates skin cell growth
Lemon juice: natural astringent that opens pores and restores the pH balance of oily skin
Lavender: antiseptic toner (great for oily skin)
Nettle: stimulates hair growth
Witch hazel: natural astringent and toner
Want more details? Check out all of my fun facts on homemade ingredients.
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Anti-dandruff hair rinse recipe
Dandruff can be caused by hormonal disturbances, diet, stress or a fungal infection. Consult your doctor if you've had a condition for a long time. For immediate relief, try using this rinse daily to control itching and flaking.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
Mix and store in a squirt bottle. Shake well, massage in after shampooing and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly. (Always do a test patch as essential oils are potent.)
What are your favourite natural hair remedies and recipes?
Sincerely,
Lindsay Coulter, Queen of Green
Post a comment
5 Comments
7:03 AM
Well home made remedies are always good and natural. For hair loss problem home remedies are best but one must take some care while using it. Some precautions needs to be taken care while using it.
4:50 PM
I want to buy and use hand dish soap that's made here in Canada, or the USA…. not imported from China
11:37 AM
Yep Marnie! I promote both baking soda as shampoo and apple cider vinegar in my hair care recipes resource. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/resources/2012/hair-care-recipes/
Lindsay
1:32 PM
I question whether it has been scientifically proven that nettle stimulates hair growth. Being able to determine the validity of such statements is difficult. One would have to have access to the research and be able to interpret it. That is why I count on reputable organizations like The David Suzuki Foundation to inform me. When I read the part about nettle, my radar went up. The result, I started questioning the validity of all the content. Just my thoughts.
9:37 AM
Have you ever tried the baking soda shampoo followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse to condition? I find it pretty useful. Also, I find the vinegar rinse particularly nice in hard water conditions.
Thanks for your work!
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