DIY Ayurvedic Conditioner for Natural Hair Growth
by Emilia Obiekea of AdoreBotanicals.com
I enjoy making and creating products when I have free time. Ayurvedic herbs are wonderful for the hair and skin.
Via CurlyNikki.com–
“According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Ayurveda is considered one of the oldest healing sciences that have a holistic approach to health. It is designed to help people live a long, healthy, and well-balanced life. It has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years. It has recently become popular again in western cultures and is used to treat illnesses and maintain balance in the body, mind, and consciousness through proper eating, drinking, and lifestyle. Our hair, which is a vital parameter of external beauty, can also benefit from Ayurvedic treatments to maintain its health and look beautiful. These time-tested herbal hair care remedies have been the backbones behind the healthy and long hair of Indian women. Whether dealing with scalp problems, nourishing the hair follicles, or trying to steer clear of sulfates, parabens, or ingredients you cannot pronounce, Ayurveda can bring health and beauty to your tresses.”
I am sharing my own recipe for a home pre-poo/conditioning treatment that encourages healthy hair growth.
The ingredients are as follows:
Cassia Seeds
Benefits: Gives hair a beautiful sheen.
Nothing like cassia powder. Mostly used as a hot tea.
A low key favorite of mine. Many use the powder but don’t know about the seeds.
Amount: 3 tablespoons
Fenugreek Seeds
(optional ingredient)
Benefits: Prevents hair loss, promotes hair growth, helps strengthen hair shaft, light protein.
Note: It has a very strong aroma. If you find it unpleasant just leave it out. Those that use it love it.
Prepare: Should be soaked overnight prior to using. It’s beneficial but not necessary for most.
Amount: 2 tablespoons
Soak in 1 cup of distilled water
Whole Amla (dried)
Benefits: Stimulates hair growth, has wonderful conditioning properties, strengthens hair at the roots.
It is my preference to use Amla whole. It is fine to use powder. Use what you have of course.
Amount: 3 or 4 pieces
Dried Rosemary
Benefits: Stimulates the scalp, encourages growth, provides relief for irritated scalp, proves a nice sheen to the hair.
An inexpensive, easily accessible herb.
If pregnant it is recommended not to use this herb. I’m not a doctor.
Amount: 2 tablespoons
Dried Hibiscus/ Sorrel Flowers
Benefits: Conditions hair from its softening effects due to the yielding of mucilage, promotes healthy hair growth, prevents hair loss, thickens hair.
Gives a nice rich red tone when in liquids. If your hair is light in color (ex: blonde) substitute this with Chamomile or another floral of choice to avoid any staining. Hair in the browns, reds and black tones benefit by using this floral. It adds a rich tone and has a light amount of slip for detangling.
Amount: 4 or 5 flowers
Dried Mint
Benefits: Soothing scalp stimulant that is wonderful for dry scalp.
Use any kind you like. Most people use peppermint.
*I use a mix of my favorite mints for my mint blend. I love the warm scent and the bit of tingle it gives my scalp.
Amount: 2 tablespoons
Neem Blossom Honey
Benefits: A humectant that provides moisture and and shine when used.
Use any type of honey that you have readily available.
*This is one of my favorite honeys. It is costly but this brand isn’t very costly.
Amount: 2 tablespoons
Goat Milk
Benefits: Soothes irritated scalps and softens the hair.
Can use coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc…
Amount: 1/2 cup
Distilled Water
Amount: 1 cup of water
Benefits: Pure water without any chemicals or additives. The simplest and best moisturizing component of any regimen.
“Can use coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc…
Note: add the distilled water if fenugreek step was skipped.
Photo Credit (Google)
Process Steps
- Add 1 cup of distilled water to the Fenugreek seeds. Let it soak overnight.
- In the morning, warm the goat milk slightly. Then add the cassia seeds, hibiscus, amla, rosemary and mint.
- Cover and turn off the heat source.
- Let it steep until it is mildy warm.
- Strain the herbs from the infused milk.
- Add honey to the milk and stir until the honey has dissolved. Adding it at this time helps to maintain the integrity of the honey.
- Once the honey is full incorporated add the fenugreek water/ plain distilled water (if you skipped the fenugreek step). If you like to use the mashed fenugreek to infuse your water you can use it that way as well.
This solution is very nice for the hair. It can be used as is, as a prepoo, as a post wash rinse (if using fenugreek follow up with something that smells nice to get rid of the scent) or added to your favorite conditioners.
Emilia Says
Once everything is fully incorporated, I pour it into a dye applicator bottle. I apply the mask to my hair for 30 minutes to an hour and then rinse. If using this as a prepoo/ pre-shampoo conditioner: I apply it to my unwashed hair, rinse, then cleanse and deep condition with another product.
If using this as a conditioner, I apply it after my hair has been cleansed.
Enjoy!
Comment and let us know how you enjoyed it as well!
*Disclaimer: I am not a physician. I love DIY and to share with others. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients do not try it. If you are unsure if you should consult a physician, of course.
