This article contains affiliate links from my favorite brand Mountain Rose Herbs. I love their high quality organic/fair trade products, and am blown away by their commitment to zero waste.

This past weekend I began playing around with herbal hair rinses.  Herbal hair rinses can be used in place of conditioner for some and are also wonderful for those who are sensitive to shampoos and conditioners.  The acidic nature of herbal hair rinses gently cleanse, condition, and strengthen the hair and scalp.

Since going no 'poo, I've been relearning the best methods for optimal hair care.  I've enjoyed this simple hair care process and also going back to nature for all my hair care needs.  Everything that we truly need for beauty and health is in nature.

What you will need…

• 4 tbsp of marshmallow root

• 1 tbsp of horsetail

• 1 tbsp of rosemary

• 1 tbsp of sage

• 1 tbsp of ginger root

• 5 drops of rosemary essential oil

• 32 oz of distilled water

• 1 pint glass jar or larger

• 2 large mixing bowls (one larger than the other)

• Stove top pot

Boil distilled water in a pot. Steep the herbs for at least 30 minutes to an hour or more. The longer they steep the stronger the herbal concentration. If you'd like more slip and detangling properties with this rinse, boil the marshmallow root separately to extract the mucilage from the herb. Then turn off the stove and allow the more fragile herbs to steep afterwards in the same pot. Once cooled, strained the herbs into a large jar. Finally add rosemary essential oil.

After saturating my loosely braided hair with water, I then proceeded to use the double bowl method to use the rinse.   This is less messy if done in over the tub. Pour the herbal rinse into one of the bowls. Flip your hair upside down and slowly pour the herbal rinse on your hair from one bowl to the next.  Repeat continuously until your hair fills saturated and clean.  This was the most soothing hair cleansing method I've tried to date. The fresh smell of the herbs was intoxicating.  It felt like a nourishing spa treatment.

This rinse is a pH of 5, and will remove excess oils from your hair and scalp without stripping your hair.  My hair felt soft and clean and was easily detangled using my new tangle-free method.  I followed by applying a mix of hemp, castor, and grapeseed oil to almost dry hair and styling as usual.

Here's a brief description of the herbs I used and a few others to try based on your hair care needs.

Marshmallow root--natural detangler and conditioner

Horsetail--mineral rich with silica to promote hair growth and hair elasticity

Rosemary--stimulates scalp circulation, fights dandruff, promotes hair growth

Sage--keeps hair dark, fights grey

Ginger--increases scalp circulation, combats hair loss

Comfrey root--moisturizes dry scalp and hair

Elder flowers--gives lustrous shine to hair and hydration

Watercress--great for oily hair by removing soap and oil residue, contains minerals, iron, and phosphorus

Strawberry leaf--also wonderful for oily hair

White willow bark--clears dandruff and sebum buildup

Nettle--increases healthy hair growth and manageability

Peppermint--improves scalp circulation

Catnip--promotes healthy hair by preventing split ends while conditioning hair (only need 1 tsp when using)

Basil--promotes healthy hair growth

Burdock root--increases shine and gives body to limp hair, soothes dry scalp, and combats hair loss

Marjoram--softens hair while strengthening hair strands

You can use one or more of any herb to create a wonderful herbal rinse for your hair.  I'm sure that I'll probably try a few other herbs in the future.  These herbal hair rinses are wonderful whether you are doing a no-poo method or not.  You can easily rinse your hair after shampooing your hair and leave-in or rinse out.  Most of these herbs can be found in bulk at Mountain Rose Herbs or your local health food store. (Note… Flower herbs do not need to steep as long as herbal roots. Please research new herbs to ensure there is no conflict with pregnancy or medical conditions before using.)

What herbal hair rinses have you tried?

Image by Mountain Rose Herbs