A healthy head of hair with a healthy, flake-free scalp is a wonderful thing. So wonderful and desired, in fact, that there is an enormous market that caters solely to it. Walk down any hair product aisle and you’ll be overwhelmed with then number of choices you have for shampoos, conditioners, rinses, sprays, and dyes (to name just a few things.) You could spend days, and lots of money, trying to figure out just what chemical concoction will work the wonders it promises. If you’d like to break up that routine, try making some of your own products at home. I have found them to be simple, pure, and more effective that many of the things I have bought in stores.

Save

1. Nettle Hair Tonic

Rich in iron, a rinse made with nettles can help combat hair loss/promote hair growth. Drinking nettle tea may also help battle hair loss, as iron can help with circulation to the scalp, in turn fueling hair growth. Nettles will also help with an imbalance of sebum (the oil that your pores produce) which can make a difference if you suffer from dandruff or dry scalp. For something that is such a pain to even brush up against, it’s a wonderful herb when fully utilized!

You will need…
-A large (gloved) handful of fresh nettle leaves or 5 tablespoons of dried nettle
-2 cups of fresh water
-A few drops of your favorite essential oil
-A bottle for storing

Directions
If using fresh nettle, place in a pot and cover with 2 cups of water and bring to boil, then let simmer for 10 minutes. Cool, then strain the liquid, add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil and store in the fridge for up to 6 months. If using dried nettle, bring water to a boil and then pour over the herb, letting it steep for 20 minutes before cooling, straining, and adding your essential oil. To use, pour over your hair in the shower and massage or comb in, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.

2. Horsetail Hair Tonic

Horsetail naturally contains silica, which is actually more useful than just for filling those annoying little packets that come with so many products these days. As a natural substance, silica can help keep hair growing strong, and prevent it from falling out/thinning.

You will need…
-A handful of fresh horsetail
-Fresh water

Directions
Bring a pot of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and add the horsetail. Steep for 20 minutes, and then strain the liquid. After shampooing pour the cooled liquid over your hair and wrap your head in a warm towel for 20 minutes, then rinse.

3. Parsley Seed & Rosemary Hair Tonic

Parsley and rosemary, the exact scientific reasons unknown, leave hair shiny and glossy (rosemary leaves a particularly dramatic shine on dark hair.) Parsley supposedly helps with lice as well, should you find yourself plagued.

You will need…
-2 tablespoons of crushed up parsley seeds
-1/2 cup of chopped up rosemary
-Fresh water

Directions
Crush up 2 tablespoons of parsley seeds, and chop up enough rosemary to fill ½ cup. Bring several cups of water to a boil and then add the herbs, steeping for 20 minutes. Cool and strain the liquid, and then pour the rinse over your head and wrap in a warm towel for an hour. Do not rinse off, and allow hair to dry naturally.

When it comes down to it, a healthy scalp and healthy hair is what really looks good-there’s just no substituting, and no getting around it. Instead of using chemicals to try and force your hair into a certain look, try a natural tonic that will nourish deep down and make your hair look good-naturally.