DIY Herbal Hair Rinses: Benefits, Recipes, & How To Use Them

Best Ingredients To Use In Herbal Hair Rinses

1. Horsetail

Horsetail contains high amounts of silica that helps strengthen your hair and reduce breakage (1). It is also used as an anti-dandruff agent (2). The astringent property of horsetail can help control the excess oil production in your scalp, which is beneficial for oily hair types.

2. Lavender Essential Oil

A study conducted on mice showed that the topical application of lavender essential oil had hair growth-promoting effects (3). It has calming effects that help reduce stress, which may cause hair loss.

Lavender may also prevent itchy scalp and dandruff. A scalp massage with this oil increases blood circulation and promotes hair growth. A mixture of lavender and tea tree essential oils can also help treat head lice (4).

Quick Tip

You can dilute lavender and tea tree essential oils with almond oil and use it for maintaining scalp and hair health.

3. Rosemary

A study showed rosemary oil to be as effective as minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia and itchy scalp conditions (5). This herb’s antifungal properties help reduce dandruff and soothe the scalp (6).

4. Nettle

Nettle leaves are traditionally used to reduce hair loss. However, more clinical trials are needed to establish their efficacy. These leaves inhibit the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which reduces the production of DHT that causes hair loss (7). They also contain beta-sisterol, which promotes the formation of new blood vessels and supports new hair growth. It can help control hair loss in both men and women with hormonal imbalances (8). The antifungal activity of nettle acts against dandruff and scalp itchiness (9).

5. Sage

The antioxidants and natural oils in sage help strengthen the hair and stimulate hair growth. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this claim.

6. Basil

Studies have found basil extracts and basil oil to exhibit anti-dandruff activity (10).

7. Neem

Neem extracts have antifungal properties that can help treat dandruff (11), (12). Anecdotal evidence suggests that neem oil may help minimize hair dryness and frizz.

8. Calendula

Calendula has soothing and hydrating properties (13). These properties can relieve itching and flaking in the scalp and help treat dandruff.

9. Chamomile

The golden yellow chamomile flowers are often used to highlight blonde and dark brown hair. Chamomile has antifungal properties that can help prevent dandruff and treat scalp itchiness. However, there is insufficient research to prove this claim.

10. Parsley

Dried parsley is rich in apigenin, which stimulates hair growth by elongating the hair follicles (14), (15).

11. Tea

The essential nutrients in tea may aid in hair growth and improve your hair health. Black tea, green tea, and rooibos tea are commonly used ingredients in herbal hair rinses. Green tea contains EGCG, which can stimulate hair growth (16).

Sean, a blogger, uses hair rinses to stimulate hair growth. On her blog, she writes, “I tend to use black tea, or a blend of apple cider vinegar and essential oils. I apply my hair rinse (after cleansing) to my scalp, letting it run along my strands. This is a simple remedy for some of those scalp troubles, and [it] helps reduce shedding, strengthen follicles and stimulate growth (i).”

Using a herbal hair rinse can provide both health and beauty benefits to your hair as it is a nourishing and conditioning treatment made with an infusion of organic plant-based ingredients and essential oils. Scroll down to check out the recipes of some DIY herbal hair rinses using these ingredients.

Homemade Herbal Hair Rinse Recipes

1. Rosemary Hair Rinse

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 1 cup of filtered water

Directions

1. Mix the dried rosemary with water.
2. Simmer this mixture on a low flame and allow it to cool.
3. Strain out the herb.
4. Pour this solution on shampooed hair.
5. Let it sit for 2 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

2. Mint And Fenugreek Rinse

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds
• 1-2 teaspoons of mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 2 cups of water

Directions

1. Mix the fenugreek seeds and mint leaves with water.
2. Bring this mixture to a simmer on a low flame.
3. Let the mixture cool down.
4. Add the lemon juice and honey to this mixture.
5. Pour it over clean hair after shampooing.
6. Rinse with warm water.

3. Chamomile Hair Rinse

You Will Need

• 2 cups of filtered water
• 1/2 cup of raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers

Directions

1. Bring the water and apple cider vinegar to a simmer.
2. Remove from heat and add the dried chamomile flowers.
3. Stir well and allow the mixture to cool.
4. Strain out the herbs.
5. Pour on clean hair after shampooing and let the chamomile rinse sit for 2 minutes.
6. Wash your hair with warm water.

4. Rosemary And Lavender Hair Rinse

You Will Need

• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of dried lavender flowers

Directions

1. Heat the water and apple cider vinegar mixture.
2. Remove from heat and add the herbs.
3. Stir this mixture and allow it to cool.
4. Strain out the herbs.
5. Pour the herbal rinse over clean hair after shampooing.
6. Wait for 2 minutes and rinse your hair with warm water.

5. Rosehip And Chamomile Hair Rinse

You Will Need

• 2 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of chamomile
• 1 tablespoon of rosehip
• 5 drops of lavender essential oil

Directions

1. Simmer the water and remove it from heat.
2. Add the chamomile and rosehip.
3. Stir well and allow the mixture to cool.
4. Strain out the herbs.
5. Add the lavender essential oil and stir.
6. Shake well before use.
7. Pour over clean hair after shampooing and wait for 2 minutes.
8. Rinse your hair with warm water.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Ingredients

• 2 cups of apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups of water

Directions

1. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a container.
2. After shampooing your hair, tilt your head back, and slowly pour the mixture over your scalp and hair.
3. Gently massage your scalp to distribute the mixture evenly.
4. Let it sit for a minute or two, allowing the ACV rinse to work its magic.
5. Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water to remove the smell of vinegar.
6. You can follow up with a light conditioner if your hair feels too dry.

Note: Add baking soda to your herbal rinse to remove product buildup and excess oil from your hair. To lighten your hair color, add lemon juice to your hair rinse.

From promoting hair growth to adding a natural shine to your hair, herbal hair rinses are beneficial in numerous ways. Check out the other benefits of herbal rinses in the next section.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Herbal Hair Rinses?

•  Help avoid the harsh chemicals in mainstream products
•  Prevent hair dryness and ease detangling
•  Strengthen and condition the hair
•  Help treat dandruff and itchy scalp conditions
•  Improve blood circulation to the scalp
•  Soften the hair and prevent frizz
•  Remove product buildup from the hair
•  Add natural tints or highlights to your hair

Quick Tip

Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup. This increases the effectiveness and absorption of the herbal hair rinse.

Infographic: 6 Ingredients To Add To Herbal Hair Rinses

If you are looking for natural alternatives to chemical-rich hair care products, herbal hair rinses are the way to go. They stimulate hair growth, prevent frizz, and help reduce dandruff. What’s more! You can make them at home with simple ingredients from your kitchen. Scroll down and check out the infographic to know what they are.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a rinse last in your hair?

The herbal rinse lasts until you wash your hair.

Will a rinse cover gray hair?

No. A herbal rinse made with hair-darkening ingredients like coffee or beetroot may lightly color your hair, but it cannot completely cover your grays.

Is there a rinse for gray hair?

Yes. You may use herbal rinses made with natural hair-nourishing ingredients to improve gray hair health, appearance, and feel.

Revitalize your hair with a natural rosemary hair rinse. Watch this video to learn how this simple DIY treatment can strengthen your strands, stimulate growth, and leave your hair looking healthy and lustrous.

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Kate DriverND

 

Kate Driver is a Naturopath, Women's Health Coach, and Perimenopause Practitioner and has been consulting for over 22 years. She specializes in women's health, especially perimenopause and menopause, and is dedicated to helping women feel empowered and at their best using diet , nutrition, lifestyle changes, and supplements. She is a member of The Australian Natural and Traditional Medicine Society,...more

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Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

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