Let’s get hairy! Whether you love long flowy locks, spend hours with various dyes, or shave it all off, hair is part of who you are. Make it stronger and healthier with these tips.
Hair is a big part of who we are. We use it to express our individuality, to highlight our features, to draw interest, to protect us, and to communicate with the world. Even those with thinning hair use what they have to say something about themselves. Even shaving every wisp from our heads says something. Unless we have alopecia universalis, we still use our eyebrows and eyelashes to protect our eyes and to communicate our surprise or disdain.
No matter how much or how little hair we have, we can do more to keep it healthy. Many shampoos and conditioners contain chemicals, preservatives, and petroleum byproducts that can build up on hair, irritate the scalp, and contribute to dandruff. Try natural ways to boost growth, strengthen, add sheen, and soften your curly locks, bone-straight mane, flowing tresses, or perfect ringlets. For the guys, you can get a little help getting that crazy mop under control or growing yourself a handsome goatee, bushy beard, or even a mustache if you so choose.
Horsetail
This brush-like herb is rich in silica. Silica speeds hair growth, boosts shine, and strengthens hair. It has the added benefit of making nails stronger, too. You can find it in capsules or as a tea. You can also mix it in with shampoo to get the silica right where it is needed.
Burdock Root Oil
This oil, also known as bur oil, promotes hair growth, improves scalp health, relieves irritation, and improves the natural shine and luster of hair. It helps reverse the thinning of hair and gets rid of dandruff too. Apply the oil to your scalp shortly before bed on a regular basis.
Birch Oil
This is another herb that promotes hair growth. It also strengthens the roots of hair to prevent loss. Add birch leaves or oil to a soothing bath. Add the oil to shampoo to help condition your hair and make it grow faster.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a pungent herb used in many Italian dishes. It also stimulates hair growth, fights dandruff, and adds some luster back to your head of hair. I may help prevent graying too. Include rosemary more often in your food, add it to baths, and use the essential oil in shampoo or directly on your scalp where hair is thinning or where your scalp is giving you issues.
Aloe
Aloe is a natural conditioner we lean on to soothe sore, dry, and sunburned skin. It can do the same for the scalp while encouraging new hair growth.
Sage
Sage is a natural dye that darkens hair, hides grays, softens, and adds luster. Boil the herb in water and then strain it to make a refreshing herbal rinse.
Chamomile
This herb is commonly used to comfort, calm, and promote sleep. It also conditions, softens, and strengthens hair while soothing the scalp. Chamomile lightens blond hair, adding highlights, or it gives a healthy sheen to darker hair without fear too.
Lavender
This herb balances oil production, fights inflammation, and combats infection. Lavender is very good for the scalp, and it may help prevent balding too. Rinse your hair with lavender water, or condition your hair with lavender infused oil.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is very similar to the natural oils produced by the skin to protect, moisturize, and clean. This makes it the perfect oil to moisturize the scalp and our hair while it also stimulates new growth.
Coconut Oil
This oil is rich in essential fatty acids that condition hair and skin. Get rid of frizz fast, fight tangles, condition deeply, and dump dandruff. Use this oil in small amounts to fight frizz and tangles, or rub it into your hair and scalp in larger amounts and leave it for half an hour before rinsing to nourish and condition.
Peppermint Oil
Like rosemary, this essential oil stimulates growth right where it’s needed. This oil is pretty powerful stuff, so go easy and avoid touching any sensitive areas, like your eyes, after you use it. Dilute it in a carrier oil, like coconut oil, to make it safer and easier to use.
Saw Palmetto
This herb is a common aid for prostate health, but it helps prevent male pattern baldness too. It can be found in capsules, ointments, and teas. Combine it with stinging nettle for even more effect.
Henna
Henna is used to make safe and stunning temporary tattoos. It also makes a very good natural hair dye that leaves hair soft and nourished with the natural vitamins and minerals.
Pumpkin Seeds
A delicious way to strengthen hair, pumpkin seeds are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, B vitamins, and minerals like magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper that help hair grow in thick and strong. Eat a few handfuls throughout the week, just don’t overdo it. They are very calorie dense little seeds.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are important for hair, nail, and skin health along with energy production, hormones, and many other vital functions. Eat nuts, bananas, avocados, and legumes more often. If you use a supplement, avoid synthetics.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A all help the body function at its best, so it naturally makes hair healthier. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the dark and brightly colored ones like berries, kale, spinach, pumpkin, and the like.
Vitamin and Minerals
Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables will give you the vitamins and minerals that the body uses to make hair strong and create the pigments that color it. Supplements are also a great way to get those vitamins when you can't get in all the foods you want.
A great way to get you going on resolutions is joining our fitness challenge!
