Natural Hair Nourishment
Whatever scalp type you have, herbs can help bring it into balance, according to Aubrey Hampton, president of Tampa, Fla.-based Aubrey Organics. Balsam, an herb from South America, builds hair strength, adds a pleasant fragrance and reduces oily buildup. Many of Aubrey's products also contain aloe vera gel, which softens hair and normalizes oily or dry scalp, and horsetail and coltsfoot, two herbs rich in amino acids. Hampton says these work to rebuild the hair's shaft, heal breakage, and encourage the growth of healthy hair. Aveda's Scalp Remedy, an emollient tonic, contains echinacea, an herb that's popular as a cold remedy but that also makes an excellent moisturizer and scalp soother. Chamomile tea makes a great hair rinse, calms the scalp and brings out blonde highlights.
Of course, you can nourish your scalp from the inside too. Any vitamins and minerals that are good for your face are likely to be good for your scalp, says Albert Kligman, M.D., professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Tea Tree Solutions Hair and Nails multivitamin is a good product to try; it contains antioxidant vitamins and minerals and is rich in unsaturated fatty acids that promote normal oil flow on the scalp and carry nutrients throughout the body. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, can control oily scalp and speed the turnover of dead skin cells.
Some of the most effective scalp-care products incorporate antioxidants and other nutrients. Jason's Revitalizing Scalp Elixir contains folic acid, a B vitamin that may nourish the hair's root. And antioxidant-rich green tea, found in Aubrey Organic's line of Green Tea hair and skin products, "is even more powerful than vitamin E as an antioxidant, and it makes hair that's very damaged seem stronger," Hampton claims.
When it comes to healing an itchy, oily or dry scalp or even resolving a bout with the white stuff, there are plenty of effective, natural options. Regular scalp treatments will quickly bring your scalp back into a state of balance, and gentle, botanical products will help you keep it there. Pretty soon, you'll see the effects reflected in shiny, healthy hair.
You can whip up this great scalp tonic right in your own kitchen.
1 cup of green tea (use one tea
bag or one rounded tsp.
leaves)
3 tsp. lemon juice (one quarter of
a lemon)
1 teaspoon of cider or white
vinegar
2 sprigs of rosemary or a
few drops of rosemary
essential oil
Make a cup of green tea, using one tea bag or one rounded teaspoon leaves. Strain. Add juice of one lemon quarter. Add one teaspoon of cider or white vinegar. Throw in a couple sprigs of rosemary or a few drops of rosemary essential oil to enhance your hair color.
Work the tonic through your hair and scalp for at least 60 seconds, then rinse with tepid water.
Other Pages
The Roots of beautiful Hair1
The Roots of beautiful Hair2
The Roots of beautiful Hair3
