Is it possible to create homemade hair straightener using herbs? Many suffer from frizzy, unruly and curly hair that requires a boost and most people wish to avoid harsh chemicals or the damage from flat irons. Many herbs have been shown to not only help straighten curly hair, but help it shine and keep it healthy.
Easy Homemade Hair Straightener Using Herbs
With so many chemical hair straighteners on the market including flat irons, harsh blow-drying with tightly wound brushes, and even ceramic compounds, what's a curly-headed person to do? There are certain calming herbs and herbs that help to keep the hair follicles on your scalp flat, producing natural and moist, straightened effects that are free of frizz.
Mix and Match Your Favorite Herbs
Moisture is key in stopping unruly curls and frizz. Some herbs that have powerful moisturizing qualities include chamomile, rose geranium, lavender, and rose. Rosemary, cedar wood, sandalwood, burdock, and calendula are also full of moisturizing effects.
In fact, by reading the labels on natural hair products, you'll find many of these herbs listed as ingredients on the product label. Because each of these herbs offer the capability to relax your hair follicles, it's easy to mix and match the herbs that meet your scent fancy to make a natural straightener for curly hair.
- Infuse - Once you choose the herbs you like, allow approximately five teaspoons of the herb to steep in some boiling water for up to 30 minutes. Next add one tablespoon of vinegar. After you shampoo, skip the conditioner and apply the solution to your hair as a leave-in curl straightener.
- Deep Conditioning - Hair follicles will also benefit from a deep conditioner made of herbs. Again, choose your herbs, but this time mix two ounces of aloe vera gel with two ounces of any warmed oil of your choice. Add up to six drops of rose geranium, sandalwood or lavender essential oil to the mixture and apply to scalp. This deep conditioner can be left on the hair for up to two hours to help relax curly hair, deny frizz, and leave your hair smooth and soft.
Milk and Coconut Oil
Milk has a calming effect on our hair follicles and is an easy homemade hair straightener using herbs. It is also a quick fix for unwanted curls. You can use the same infusion method above and instead of vinegar, use equal parts of the infusion and milk and place in a spray bottle. Spray onto dry hair and comb through. Let it seep into your hair and scalp for up to an hour, then rinse, shampoo, and condition. Make sure you use a wide-tooth comb to avoid hair breakage.
Buy some coconut milk to help your hair shine and stay calm. For this hair straightener remedy, let the coconut milk sit until a cream appears on the top. Use a measuring scoop to remove the cream from the coconut milk and mix it with the juice from one-half of a lime. Choose from lavender, burdock, chamomile or your favorite moisturizing herb in oil form and add up to three drops to the coconut/lime mixture. Next, place the mixture in the refrigerator until it thickens. Rub the thickened mixture into your scalp and hair, paying special attention to frizzy areas and split ends. Wrap you hair in a soft organic bamboo or cotton towel and leave on for at least an hour. Then rinse and shampoo. This is a great way to keep curly hair tame and if used up to two or three times a week, is a natural hair straightener.
Other Remedies
- Asala offers a hair straightener that is made of gall oak and cloves. When mixed with water or yogurt and a touch of olive oil, this leave-in condition tames curly hair. Asala also offers a full line of products for your hair including henna mixes, moisturizing herbal leave-in conditioners, and oil conditioners. Check out their hair product web page for more information.
- Cool Water Rinses - Hairstylists will tell you to use cool to very cool water rinses after shampooing and conditioning to help keep hair follicles moist. Maintain shiny, manageable and straighter hair with a cool rinse every day.
Tips on Hair Straighteners
- Steer clear of products that are made of harsh chemicals. These can actually cause hair loss.
- Avoid flat irons and blow dryers. While these appear to make your hair straighter initially, they dry out your hair and scalp so your long-term effects will be frizzy or damaged hair.
- Visit a hair salon that only uses natural hair care products and ask about herbal hair straightener products.
- Visit your herbalist and discuss moisturizing herbs. If you're unfamiliar with the scents, ask for samples or a smell test to help you determine your favorite fragrance.
- Moisturize your hair often, especially if you live in a dry climate or during winter months or when your hair is exposed to too much sun. The more you keep your hair follicles moist, the more tame and less curly your hair will be.
It is possible to make homemade hair straightener using herbs as well as conditioners, rinses, and spray treatments to keep your hair manageable and healthy.
