NATURAL INGREDIENTS

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HERBS 

Stinging Nettle Most male pattern baldness is caused by testosterone being converted into DHT. The Stinging Nettle has been found to have properties that stop testosterone from being converted into DHT; this is the hormone which is responsible for hair loss in many men and some women. This plant grows wild and in abundance in America. The Native Americans used it a lot which is why you don’t see too many Native Americans with hair loss problems or having to get hair transplants. Since it grows in the wild, they would just hand pick it, (of course paying attention to the stinging, because it has a spiny stem) and infuse it into oils to moisturize their hair. They would also brew it as a tea for drinking. Stinging Nettle has K, B, and C vitamins and it also has a lot of amino acids and iron. Amino acids help with protein formation in your body and the hair needs protein to grow strong and healthy. Vitamin B and C are also important for healthy hair.

Sedr: As Tavakoli explains to us, sedr is a special lotus powder made from the plant ziziphus—a spiny shrub hailing from the Buckthorn family. "You can mix sedr with some water to make it into a paste and leave it in your hair for about 20 minutes. It cleanses hair while also imparting shine, strengthening hair strands, and thickening your natural density," she says.

Henna: "In addition to sedr, henna is one of the most widely used ingredients for hair in the Middle East," says Tavakoli. "Many people associate henna with hair color, but it is commonly used in the Middle East as a conditioner or hair mask. It hydrates, detangles, and makes frizzy hair more manageable. Plus, it just gives hair a livelier and bouncier appearance."

Amla: Consider amla—aka Indian gooseberry—is the one wunderkind superfood berry you haven't yet heard of. Highly regarded in the scientific and medical fields as a nutritionally potent superfood with potential anti-cancer properties, amla also works wonders in your haircare routine, Ranavat tells us. (In fact, it's one of the mystical hero ingredients in Ranavat's cult-favorite Mighty Majesty Fortifying Hair Serum ($70)—we're obsessed and have been singing its praises). "Organic amla is an incredibly powerful superfood more people should know about since it has the highest natural content of vitamin C in any fruit or vegetable," she shares. "In fact, it actually has 10 times the vitamin C content of an orange."

Saffron: As one of the most expensive spices in the world, saffron is not only a quintessential component of Middle Eastern culinary cuisine, but it's also a notable ingredient in Persia's hair and beauty culture. "We often use saffron in homemade hair treatments to strengthen hair strands and even prevent hair loss," explains Tavakoli. "It's rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, which made it the ideal ingredient to use in Joon's hero product, the Saffron Hair Elixir ($28). (Ed. note: As mentioned in our IBE roundup, the elixir is amazing, and if you don't have ultra-light strands—which are unfortunately prone to stainage—we recommend dousing your hair with the stuff ASAP. Also, the packaging is to die for.)

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Saw Palmetto: This herb is indigenous to the Native lands, and it formed part of their nutritional diets and has very good medicinal value. The fruit Saw Palmetto is a scarlet red berry; they would dry it in the sun for days then grind it and infuse it into tinctures, teas and ointments which were applied to their hair to help strengthen it and prevent scaly scalp – dandruff. Saw Palmetto also has properties that suppress the hormone that causes baldness, so taking it orally and as a topical application is one of the ways the indigenous hair was kept so beautiful. Saw palmetto is a small plant which produces berries that are full of flavonoids, fatty acids, and sterols. It has shown to be effective in treating hormone-related hair loss.

Aloe Vera: is a great natural moisturizer that was used in every day Native life for protecting the hair and the body from the sun and other harsh weather conditions and keeping the hair soft and silky. This was one of the main ways that they used to keep indigenous hair healthy. 

 

CARRIER OILS

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Olive Oil: If you want an effective hair conditioner which provides deep moisturization, then extra virgin olive oil is a great choice. Olive oil also contains antioxidants and has many health benefits 

Coconut Oil: Virgin coconut oil is one of the best oils for hair and is great for moisturizing hair and treating damaged hair. One study showed that the structure of coconut oil allows it to penetrate into the hair shaft and reduce protein loss Coconut oil is effective in reducing hair loss, providing deep conditioning, treating dandruff, and protecting from sun damage. To find out more about how you can use coconut oil to nourish your hair Coconut Oil for Preventing Gray Hair Coconut Oil to Promote Hair Growth and Prevent Hair Loss Coconut Oil as a Hair Conditioner and Moisturizer Coconut Oil for Dry and Frizzy Hair Coconut oil as a Dandruff Fighter Coconut Oil for Getting Rid of Lice Coconut Oil for Damaged Hair Coconut Oil as a Daily Detangler

Castor Oil: When used as a hair mask, castor oil is an effective natural oil for moisturizing the hair, treating dandruff, and encouraging hair growth. It contains nutrients and minerals which are essential for healthy hair. It also contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids.

 

Argan Oil: is one of the most effective natural oils for hair, but it is also one of the most expensive. It works wonders on hair because it is rich in antioxidants, vitamin E and omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.

Jojoba Oil: Is a treatment for hair can help with hair loss by strengthening and protecting the growth of new hair. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help treat itchy scalp and scalp psoriasis2. Jojoba oil also contains zinc and selenium, which are important ingredients in treating dandruff. It will help your hair to look smooth and silky.

Avocado Oil: Avocado oil has many benefits when it comes to skin care. However, it is also good for hair care because avocado oil is rich in vitamin E, which is essential for maintaining healthy hair3. It is also a good source of monounsaturated fats which provide hair follicles with the nutrients they need to stimulate hair growth.

Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet almond oil contains numerous healthy ingredients to nourish the skin and hair. It is also a good source of vitamin E, omega-3, zinc, and magnesium. By regularly using it as an oil treatment for hair, you can help promote hair growth and shiny hair. Almond oil can be combined with other oils for hair like jojoba oil and essential oils.

Pomegranate Seed Oil: If you suffer from fine or thinning hair, then pomegranate seed oil can help to stimulate hair growth and give you shiny, great looking hair. The oil contains rare omega-5 fatty acid which is a powerful antioxidant. Studies show that it has a beneficial effect on the skin4. It also effective at unclogging hair follicles.

Pumpkin Seed Oil: I have written previously about the health benefits of eating pumpkins seeds. However, research on pumpkin oil has shown this to be an effective natural remedy for hair loss5. The oil contains many antioxidant properties and can protect the skin and scalp from free radicals. According to the journal Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine, supplementing your diet with pumpkin seed oil can boost hair growth. The study showed that men who took 400 mg pumpkin seed oil per day experienced faster hair growth than those who didn’t. The researchers concluded that pumpkin seed oil could be an alternative treatment for hair loss.5

Amla Oil: Amla, or gooseberry oil, is not actually an oil in itself, but a fusion of gooseberries and a carrier oil like castor, sesame, or almond oil. It combines the beneficial fatty acids from the oil with the nutrients of gooseberries to help treat itchy scalp conditions and strengthen the hair follicles. In fact, studies on amla oil have shown it to increase the number of hair follicles6.

Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E is one of the most important nutrients for hair care, and can greatly benefit greatly your skin, hair and health. Vitamin E oil can help condition the hair from root to shaft, making it shinier as well as treating split ends.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Apple cider vinegar has many natural benefits and one of them is to help the scalp and hair stay healthy and free from bacterial infections. One of the reasons for hair loss is clogged hair follicles which cause bacterial infections.

Onion Juice: Believe it or not, but onion juice may promote faster hair growth! Onion juice has actually been scientifically proven to help hair re-growth. A study published in the Journal of Dermatology showed that crude onion juice was effective in helping hair re-grow in men and women who have alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that presents with patchy hair loss).

Horsetail plant extract Oil Horsetail plant oil is an extract oil, not an essential oil. It contains silica, which is thought to improve hair growth speed and strength along with potentially reducing dandruff.

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ESSENTIAL OILS

Rosemary Essential Oil: Studies have shown that rosemary essential oil boosted hair growth in men who were showing signs of male-pattern baldness. But this hair oil is not just for men as many women also experience hair thinning and loss. Rosemary oil can be added to your regular hair care routine by adding rosemary oil to your shampoo or conditioner bottle (use about 10 – 12 drops for every ounce).

Peppermint Essential Oil: Clinical research has also established that peppermint oil is beneficial for hair growth and it can work more effectively than Minoxidil, which is a popular drug to promote hair growth and combat baldness.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Tea tree essential oil is well-known for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties9. Therefore, it can help treat dandruff and itchy scalps. It also unclogs follicles, which in turn assists in hair growth.

Clary Sage Essential Oil: Clary sage oil contains the same linalyl acetate that helps make lavender oil so effective in increasing hair growth. It can improve hair strength, in addition to increasing hair growth, making hair more difficult to break.

Ylang-ylang Essential Oil: While those with oily hair and skin would want to skip this one, ylang-ylang oil is ideal for those with dry scalps, as it can stimulate sebum production. As lack of enough oil and sebum causes hair to become dry and brittle, ylang-ylang can improve hair texture and reduce hair breakage.

Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender oil can speed up hair growth. Knowing that lavender oil has properties that can generate the growth of cells and reduce stress, researchers on one animal study found that this oil was able to generate faster hair growth.

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Lemongrass Essential Oil: Dandruff can be a common ailment, and having a healthy, flake-free scalp is an important part of hair health. Lemongrass oil is an effective dandruff treatment, with one 2015 study finding that it significantly reduced dandruff after one week.

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Cedarwood Essential Oil: Cedarwood essential oil is thought to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss by balancing the oil-producing glands in the scalp. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can treat different conditions that may contribute to dandruff or hair loss. Included in a mixture with lavender and rosemary, cedarwood extract was also found to reduce hair loss. Trusted Source in those with alopecia areata.