Natural tips for hair

HAIR AND ESSENTIAL OILS

The basic substance of hair is keratin, a strong protein that also makes up nails, and in animals, claws feathers, horns and fur. Humans don't molt in the usual way that animals do, but, we still lose our hair as each one comes to the end of its cycle (between 2 and 7 years). When this happens the hair becomes detached from the follicle (a tiny pit in the surface of the skin)- and a new hair begins to grow in its place. This should almost happen instantly, but with ill health, malnutrition, tension, or stress, the time between a hair being lost and a new one starting to grow can extend…so that our hair begins to thin.

At the side of each follicle there is a sebaceous gland that secrets sebum, necessary for lubricating the hair. If the blood supply is not delivering the seventeen amino acids, which make up the keratin, the hair becomes dry or greasy, the ends split and it loses its bounce. What we need for hair is the same as what we need for the skin, the outer layer which is also keratin. If you eat plenty of fresh food, cut down on stimulants such as coffee, tea, and alcohol, increase your dosage of vitamin B, stick with cold pressed oils and unsaturated fatty acids, and get enough sleep, you'll be on your way to a glorious head of hair.

It makes sense to avoid using the harsh detergent based shampoos. Go for a shampoo that claims to be mild Ex. (baby shampoo)…as it will be less likely to strip the hair of its acid mantle. Conditioners should be rich in proteins. To these store bought products you can simply add the essential oils for the category best suited to the present condition of your hair. However it is best to make your own preparations using basic recipes then adding the essential oils appropriate for your specific condition. Essential Oils penetrate deep into the follicles and the shaft of the hair
and produce shinny, healthy hair. There are essential oils that encourage new hair growth.

The method used for making many of these natural beauty materials is cooking your ingredients without having them come into contact with water or oils…like putting a nice size bowl inside of a container filled partly with water - you don't want the water to get into your bowl when it boils and ruin your blend and use a heat-proof bowl. I use a double boiler…When using the bowl method, you don't need much water in the pot - just enough to maintain the required temperature.

SHAMPOO BASE (SOAP STEW)
Use whichever one you find to be convenient and once made they keep forever and a day.

PURE SOAP FLAKES can be obtained from some health food stores and pharmacies.

SOAP FLAKES 4 ounces
SPRING WATER 1 Quart

Simmer the water, add the soap flakes, and stir until the soap dissolves. Cool and bottle in any old jar with a lid or similar container. The mixture may gel or appear lumpy after being left for a while but don't worry, just beat it up in the blender when you make up you shampoos.

CASTILE SOAP should be pure and white.

CASTLIE (grated finely) 4 Ounces
SPRING WATER 1 Quart

Simmer the water, add the soap and bring to a boil until the soap has dissolved. Pour into a jar and store until needed

SOAPWORT ROOT it has this name because it is the original raw material of
soaps and other cleaning products. You need to crush the root, which may be
bought from herbalists and health food stores.

SOAPWORT ROOT (crushed) ½ Ounce
SPRING WATER 1 Quart

Boil the water and pour it over the soapwort in a bowl. Leave it to infuse for at least 2 hours and then filter it through muslin, cheesecloth, a coffee filter or other fine strainer. Bottle it. You need larger quantities of this base when you shampoo, at least 2 Tablespoons of the mixture.

CONDITIONER
Lecithin, is an extemely important protein that plays a very important role within the human body. The lecithin we'll use here has been extracted from soya beans. Health food stores sell this product in two forms, liquid and granule. We'll use the liquid one which resembles thick orange tar but nevertheless emulsifies beautifully.

LECITHIN BASE
LIQUID LECITHIN 2 Ounces
ALMOND OIL 2 Ounces
JOJOBA OIL 2 Teaspoons
COCOA BUTTER ¼ Ounce

Mix all the ingredients until well melted and blended together. Pour into a jar and use as directed for the different hair recipes.

(NOTE: I think here one might use just 1 ounce of almond oil and add to the
recipe one ounce of Emu oil(it's a great carrier and penetrates three layers
of skin and is not greasy)

LECITHIN BASE 2
SOAP STEW 2 Ounces
LIQUID LECITHIN 1 Ounce

Warm the soap solution and then drip the lecithin in slowly, stirring constantly. When the mixture is well blended, bottle and keep to use as directed.

SCALP STIMULATOR
Here is a lotion that stimulates the scalp and is extremely effective for men's hair growth.

VODKA 1 teaspoon
ROSEMARRY 3 drops
LAVENDER 5 drops

(Mix then add to 1 Tablespoon of spring water)

Dip the fingertips into the mixture and massage into the scalp. It smells nice and can be put onto the hair, anytime that suits

FALLING HAIR
When you start to notice more hair in the brush and you finding them all over the furniture and everywhere…use the following treatment…This is not as serious as hair loss, which we will see to later.

SHAMPOOS
There are two recipes here. Use whichever you like but do not use more than once a week…washing too often does nothing to help the problem.

Shampoo
SOAP STEW 4 Ounces
JOJOBA OIL 4 Drops
CHAMOMILE 2 Drops
PALMA ROSA 3 Drops

(NOTE: I would also try using just 2 drops of the jojoba and adding 2 drops of emu oil)

Shampoo 2
SOAP STEW 4 Ounces
JOJOBA OIL 5 Drops
ROSEMARY 3 Drops
LEMON 2 Drops

(NOTE: Once again I would try decreasing the jojoba to 3 drops and add 2 drops of Emu oil)

CONDITIONER
Use these conditioners before shampooing and leave on the hair for 10 minutes before rinsing off.

(NOTE: never add the essential oils till all others have been mixed and you have removed from the heat)

Conditioner
COCOA BUTTER ½ Ounce
ALMOND OIL 2 Tablespoons
CLARY SAGE 5 Drops

(NOTE: Once again try to improvise emu oil into this...perhaps reduce the amount of almond oil and add the difference in emu oil)

Conditioner 2
LECITHIN BASE 2 Teaspoons
JOJOBA OIL 5 Drops
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL 10 Drops
ALMOND OIL 2 Tablespoons

(NOTE: Once again decrease almond oil by ½ tablespoon and add that much emu oil.)

HAIR LOSS (alopecia)
When hair starts coming out by the handfuls and bald patches appear you have the serious problem of hair loss. Balding is a separate subject and will be addressed later. Many essential oils and nut oils can stimulate the hair follicle and increase circulation and oxidization sufficiently enough to bring around re-growth of hair. Use only purified water (boiled or filtered) to wash your hair. Avoid chlorination in swimming pools, eat correctly and take vitamin B supplements. Shampooing to often can increase hair loss and heavy conditioning treatments can stretch weak hair and cause breakage. Chemical products can leave a build up residue that can lead to hair loss.

Essential oils for alopecia (Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender, Carrot, Sage)

Essential Oils that reduce hair loss (Roman Chamomile, Cypress, Lemon, Birch, Palma rosa, Thyme, Rose, Yarrow, Carrot, Sage, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Calendula)

Vegetable Oils for treating Alopecia (Jojoba, Borage seed, Evening Primrose,
and Emu Oil)

HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO
Blend the ingredients together use once a week…do not shampoo in-between…wear a hat or rag maybe. See also the following conditioner which should be used before hand.

Shampoo
SOAP STEW 4 Ounces
JOJOBA OIL 12 Drops
CARROT OIL 6 Drops
ROSEMARY 6 Drops
LAVENDER 10 Drops

(NOTE: I would try reducing the jojoba to 8 drops and adding 4 drops emu oil)

HAIR LOSS CONDITIONER
Before shampooing apply the following conditioner. Blend the ingredients together and massage into the scalp. Leave on for at least 30 minutes before washing…

Conditioner
JOJOBA OIL ½ Teaspoon
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL 10 Drops
PALMA ROSA 3 Drops

NIGHTIME TREATMENT FOR HAIR LOSS
Every night apply the following treatment all over the scalp. Mix ingredients together and store in a clean bottle. Use 1 Teaspoon for each application, diluted in 1Tablespoon of ice-cold spring water.

CIDER VINEGAR 4 Ounces
CARROT OIL 20 Drops
ROSEMARY 10 Drops

BALDING
ESSENTIAL OILS to stimulate hair growth (Rosemary, Neroli, Lavender, Geranium, Basil, Ginger, Cedarwood, Sage, Hyssop, Thyme, Lemon, Grapefruit, Cypress)

To strengthen hair add 1 drop rosemary to a cold water rinse when you have finished washing your hair. No need to rinse the rosemary out.

BALDING TREATMENT
The treatment will prevent hair from falling out, strengthen and make thicker
the hair you still have and in some cases bring back a fluffy downy hair…Don't be impatient… treatment must be continuous and it takes about 4 months. While you are following the treatment you may find that you won't catch colds, flu's coughing is eased as well as sinus problems can be helped too.

ROSEMARY 3 Drops
GERANIUM 4 drops
LAVENDER 5 Drops
CYPRESS 4 Drops
CINNAMON 2 Drops
JUNIPER 2 Drops

(Blend together)

Each day take 1 Drop from the bottle and mix it with ¼ teaspoon of spring water and rub into the scalp. Rub the bald area first then rub well into the rest of the scalp. Don't rub to hard and nighttime is the best time for treatment for that's when the body is regenerating itself. In the morning use a hypoallergenic shampoo, (one that doesn't contain detergent).