Natural Hair should be healthy hair. We need to use products free of additives. Those that are pure and simple go a long way to help maintain a healthy scalp and beautiful, manageable hair.
Healthy hair begins with restoring your scalps’ natural ph balance. First you need to remove buildup from shampoos, conditioners, chemicals and other hair products. One way to achieve this at the least cost and with excellent results is by using Apple Cider Vinegar [ACV].
What ACV Does
- removes scaly build-up and residue from hair shafts which makes the hair look dull.
- closes the cuticles – the hair slides more easily is smoother and easier to manage
- Gives hair a smoother surface which reflects more light and leaves hair shinier,
- promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries that irrigate the skin.
Why ACV Works
[http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/natural-hair-care-product.html#vhr]
“Hair is on the mildly acidic side of the pH scale and has an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to that of an apple cider vinegar rinse (pH 2.9).
On the other hand, many of the hair care products we use, such as soap-based shampoos, bleaches, hair colors, and permanents are strongly alkaline.
Rinsing with apple cider vinegar will help balance the pH of your hair and remove the buildup that can result from the use of these styling products and inexpensive shampoos.”
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse http://livecurlylivefree.blogspot.com/
Repeated use of ACV rinses can be drying, so limit use to once or twice per month at most:
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup warm water
Pour the mixture over the hair after cleansing (do not rinse out), then condition as usual [if you wish]. Any lingering smell will dissipate as the hair dries.
Testimonies from ACV users
http://www.curlynikki.com/2012/01/comprehensive-look-at-hair-rinses.html
· it keeps my itchy scalp issues at bay
· it helps to get my hair and scalp a little cleaner
· my curls are more defined after washing.
· hair is left much cleaner, smoother, shinier and super easy to detangle.
· using acv as a scalp treatment [for dermatitis] before washes every week and my scalp has not [had] a flare up yet in the past 4 weeks !
Recently my twists were looking dry, even though I spritzed them with water and applied Essential Joy Herbal Butter. So, I sprayed my hair with Herbal Vinegar rinse and then rinsed my hair with cool water. After twisting my hair, the shine and smoothness has returned!
For added benefit to your natural hair, you can infuse various herbs in vinegar. This will enhance your hair color and condition your hair at the same time. To add extra fragrance to the herbal rinse, try adding a few drops of lavender, lemon or rosemary essential oils.
Preparation of Herbal Vinegar http://www.oregonswildharvest.com/archived_recipes/herbal_vinegar_hair_rinse
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2/3 cup of herb(s) of choice- dried [see Herbs for Hair Care, below]
- 2 cups of boiling water
- Glass jar [quart size]
Directions
- Boil slightly more than 2 cups of water in a tea kettle or a small saucepan (compensates for evaporation).
- Add the herbs and the vinegar.
- Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
- Simmer on the stove for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the infusion to steep for 30 minutes.
- Allow your infusion to cool.
- Strain and pour the liquid into the clean jar.
- Close the lid.
- Refrigerate for later use.
How to Use a Vinegar Hair Rinse
- On the day of use, it is a good idea to put the rinse into an empty shampoo bottle with a dish detergent type lid. This makes it easier to apply the rinse evenly without getting it everywhere. We don’t recommend storing the rinse in the plastic however- just remove what you need from the glass jar in the refrigerator.
- When you have finished rinsing the shampoo and conditioner out of your hair, pour the rinse on your hair and massage your scalp.
- Avoid getting the rinse in your eyes- it stings!
- Rinse it out with fresh water or……
- Alternatively, for extra conditioning benefits, just leave it in and towel dry hair. The vinegar smell disappears as your hair dries.
- Make sure you rinse out the shower afterwards, as some herbs can stain. Also be careful with towels.
- Do not use the rinse more than twice a week as it may over-dry your hair if used too often.
- This rinse in not recommended for color-treated or processed hair, as acetic acid can interfere with the treatments.
Herbs for Hair Care: http://www.organicitsworthit.org/make/herbal-hair-rinses
Normal hair: Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lavender, Linden flowers, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Rosemary, Sage, Watercress.
Dry hair and scalp: Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Elder flowers, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Sage.
Oily hair and scalp: Bay leaf, Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Nettle, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Witch Hazel bark, Yarrow leaf and flower.
Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, inflammation, itchiness, dermatitis): Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Eucalyptus, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.
Hair loss/thinning: Basil, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.
Golden highlights: Calendula, Chamomile, Lemon, Sunflower petals.
Dark highlights: Black Tea, Black Walnut hulls (crushed or chopped), Comfrey root, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.
Red highlights: Calendula, Henna, Hibiscus flowers, Red Clover flowers, Rose hips, Red Rose petals.
