Aloe & Honey Shampoo

Aloe and Honey Sampoo

This recipe does not produce the typical suds of regular shampoos, but don’t be fooled. It works. Honey and aloe are both great humectants, so they draw moisture into the hair. The ACV is great for breaking up oils and build-up on the hair as well as for closing cuticles. Not to mention the numerous antifungal and andibacterial benefits of aloe, which makes it great for thos who are suffering for minor scalp irritations and/or dandruff.

Ingredients

1/4 cup homemade aloe gel

2 T honey

2 T apple cider vinegar (ACV)

Method

I blend ingredients together in a small 1-cup chopper that I have. You can use a blender or hand-held mixer if you like, or do it by hand. It will be frothy and sorta slimy (much like the aloe gel was after whipping).

Scalp Stimulating Rinse

Scalp Stimulating Rinse
        These herbs promote growth and prevent hair loss.

• 2 Cups of cold Distilled Water
• 1 Cup of Nettle
• 1 Cup of Rosemary
• 1 Cup of Spearmint
• 1 Clove

This recipe makes enough for 2 rinses. 

In a saucepan over low heat, combine the ingredients and bring to a boil. reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and allow to steep until cooled to room temperature. Strain off and discard the solids. Transfer the rinse to a prepared container and seal tightly. Stored in a refrigerator, it will keep for 4 days. 

To use:  after shampooing pour 1 cup of the rinse over wet hair. Catch the runoff as your pour and repeat several times. Do not rinse out. 

All information came from the Country Living's healthy living Pure Beauty book

Sandalwood & Lavender Gel

Sandalwood & Lavender Hair Gel
        Tame the frizzies. 

• 1/2 Cup of Distilled Water
• 1/4 Cup of Chopped Comfrey Root
• 2 Tablespoons of Gelatin
• 1 Teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 10 Drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
• 6 Drops of Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 4 Drops of Chamomile Essential Oil
• 4 Drops of Clary Sage Essential Oil
• 4 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

This makes enough for 1 use. 

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil and pour it over the chopped comfrey root in a bowl. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain off and discard the solids. Rinse the saucepan. Pour the liquid back into the saucepan and bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Add the gelatin, and stir to dissolve. Mix in the vinegar and the essential oils. Cover the mixture and let cool to room temperature. Use immediately. 

To use:  Work the gel through hair, making sure your whole head is covered. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse and shampoo. You can do this every 7 to 10 days if desired. 

All information came from the Country Living's healthy living Pure Beauty book

Chamomile & Tea Tree Conditioner

Chamomile & Tea Tree Conditioner

            If your hair needs something a little more intensive than an herbal rinse, us this all purpose oil-pack conditioner before shampooing. The base oils, jojoba and evening primrose, are restorative and nourishing, and help build up your hair's cell walls to make it look more alive. Chamomile and tea tree condition the scalp, prevent dandruff, and provide nutrients that moisturize and regulate oil secretion.

• 12 Drops of Chamomile Essential Oil
• 10 Drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
• 1 Teaspoon of Evening Primrose Oil
• 1 Teaspoon of Jojoba
• 8 Drops of Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 6 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

Add all of the ingredients into a small bowl and blend them together. Use immediately. 

To use:  Massage the conditioner into dampened hair and scalp. Leave on the head for 5 minutes and then wet hair without rinsing out all of the conditioner. Follow this by shampooing and rinsing with an herbal rinse.

All information came from the Country Living's healthy living Pure Beauty book

Herbal Hair Rinse

Herbal Hair Rinse
           This rinse is amazing and very beneficial to your hair and scalp. In contrast to a vinegar based hair rinse, this rinse should not be washed out with water, but left in your hair to reach the maximum benefit. This recipe makes enough for one rinse.

• 4 Cups of cold Distilled Water
• 1/2 Cup of Birch Bark
• 1/4 Cup of Chamomile Flowers
• 1/4 Cup of Elderberry Flowers and Leaves
• 1/4 Cup of Horsetail
• 1/4 Cup of Nettle
• 1/4 Cup of Walnut Leaves
• 1/4 Cup of White Oak Bark
• 1/4 Cup of Yarrow Flowers

In a saucepan, combine the ingredients and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain, cover again, and allow to cool. Use as soon as it is cool enough to use on your scalp. 

To use:  wet hair with one-third of the rinse, then shampoo and rinse with clean water. Pour the remainder of the rinse over your hair and allow it to penetrate for a few minutes. Then dry your hair and normal.

All information came from the Country Living's healthy living Pure Beauty book

Protein Egg Conditioning Treatment

Protein Egg Conditioning Treatment

• 2 Eggs
• 3 Tablespoons of Jojoba
• 2 Tablespoons of Honey
• 1 Tablespoon of Wheat Germ Oil

In a mixing bowl, whisk the ingredients together until the honey is completely blended. Use immediately.

To use:  before shampooing, apply the conditioner to dampened hair, and wrap hair up in a towel for 45 minutes to 2 hours. Proceed with your normal regimen, making sure to rinse with cool water. (If the water is too hot the eggs will start to cook.) 

All information came from the Country Living's healthy living Pure Beauty book

Horsetail & Nettle Rinse

Horsetail & Nettle Rinse
           For dandruff control

• 2 Cups of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 Cup of Chamomile Flowers
• 1/2 Cup of Horsetail
• 1/2 Cup of Mint
• 1/2 Cup of Nettle

This recipe makes enough for 8 to 10 rinses. 

In a prepared container, combine the apple cider vinegar and the herbs, and seal tightly. Refrigerate for 2 weeks, to allow the herbs to steep into the vinegar. After it has sat strain the vinegar into a bowl and discard the solids. Wash out the original container. Return the rinse to the container and seal tightly. Stored in a refrigerator, it will keep for 6 months. 

To use:  After shampooing and towel-drying hair, rub 3 tablespoons of rinse into scalp and leave on for a few minutes. Then rinse out thoroughly. For best results, use this rinse at least twice a week. 

All information came from the Country Living's healthy living Pure Beauty book