You don’t have to switch to expensive organic shampoos and conditioners if you want to avoid the chemical overload, or even make shampoo bars if you’re not ready for the soap making plunge. Here are 10 conditioner recipes or herbal hair rinses.
This is an organic way to rinse your hair of extra oils and impurities.
Many people find that it gives them the shiniest, healthiest hair they’ve ever had. I’ve put together these 10 rinses together so that you can choose the one you like the best and give it a try.
For the few that have difficulties making the switch from commercially made hair conditioners herbal rinses, remember that your scalp needs a few weeks to adjust to not being completely stripped of all oils every few days. It will over produce oils at first. Also, experiment with different recipes and see what you like best.
First – The Herbs (and other ingredients)
Nettle is a wonderfully strengthening herb for hair. It has a high mineral and vitamin content that is very nourishing. (Find Here)
Lavender and its essential oil is calming and helps normalize both dry and oily scalp conditions. It is a known antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, which makes is great for sensitive scalps. (Find Here and lavender essential oil Here)
Rosemary is one of those herbs that your grandmother probably knows about when it comes to hair health. It brings circulation to the scalp and stimulates the follicles. (Find dried rosemary Here and essential oil Here)
Calendula flowers are a richer color and will bring out the natural auburn and red-highlights of hair (Find Here)
Chamomile flowers are a pretty golden yellow and are often used as a highlighter for blond or even brown hair (Lemon juice is also a natural highlighter) (Find Here)
Cocoa – The butter fats found in cacao nibs will naturally leave your hair feeling softer. This tea below is also great for bringing out the richness of dark hair (Find Here)
Peppermint and its essential oil is a real wake me up for your scalp. Most people think the smell is invigoratingly. (Find leaves Here and oil Here)
10 Herbal Organic Hair Rinses
1) Rosemary Hair Rinse
This is a general hair rinse that is soothing and nurturing to the scalp.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 8 ounce (1 cup) filtered water
Directions:
- Bring water to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add herbs and stir. Allow to sit until cool.
- Strain.
- Pour over clean hair after shampooing and let the rosemary rinse sit for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
2) Chamomile Hair Rinse
This is also a general herbal rinse that is brightening to light hair, balances pH after shampoo bar use, and soothes the scalp.
Ingredients:
- 2 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
Directions:
- Bring water and apple cider vinegar to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add herbs and stir. Allow to sit until cool.
- Strain.
- Pour over clean hair after shampooing and let the chamomile rinse sit for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
3) Dandruff Mint Hair Rinse
Balancing pH and addressing dandruff with mint, this is a great hair rinse conditioner.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- About 5 fresh mint leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried peppermint
Directions:
- Bring water and apple cider vinegar to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add herbs and stir. Allow to sit until cool.
- Strain.
- Pour over clean hair after shampooing and let the mint rinse sit for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
4) Rosemary and Lavender Hair Rinse
A oil and pH balancing and scalp calming hair conditioner/rinse.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
Directions:
- Bring water and apple cider vinegar to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add herbs and stir. Allow to sit until cool.
- Strain.
- Pour over clean hair after shampooing and let the herbal rinse sit for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Essential Oil Hair Rinses
6) Rosemary Essential Oil Hair Rinse
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
- 2 cup filtered water.
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a jar, seal, and shake.
- After washing your hair, pour a small amount over your scalp and massage. Let sit for 2 minutes and then rinse out if desired.
7) Lavender Essential Oil Hair Rinse
Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup filtered water.
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a jar, seal, and shake.
- After washing your hair, pour a small amount over your scalp and massage. Let sit for 2 minutes and then rinse out if desired.
Herbal Tea Hair Rinses
8) Rose-Chamomile Hair Rinse
Ingredients:
- 2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon chamomile
- 1 tablespoon rosehips
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
- Bring water to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add herbs and stir. Allow to sit until cool.
- Strain.
- Add essential oil and stir.
- Shake before use.
- Pour over clean hair after shampooing and let the mint rinse sit for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
9) Cocoa-Rosemary Hair Rinse
Larger batch.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 cup cacao nibs
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary leaf
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions:
- Bring water to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add cocoa nibs and rosemary and stir. Allow to sit until cool.
- Strain.
- Add essential oil and stir.
- Shake before use.
- Pour over clean hair after shampooing and let the mint rinse sit for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
10) Nettle-Lavender Hair Rinse
This is my favorite. Nettle does great balancing oils so that your hair isn’t too dry or too oily.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons dried nettle leaf
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
- Bring water to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add nettle and stir. Allow to sit until cool.
- Strain.
- Add essential oil and stir.
- Shake before use.
- Pour over clean hair after shampooing and let the mint rinse sit for 2 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
