Quick Guide To Botanicals For The Hair

All botanicals are sources of various flavonoids, tannins, phytonutrients, phenols, vitamins, minerals, and other components. All of these components have various effects when applied topically or ingested - it's the beauty of botanicals. And some botanicals in particular are excellent for hair.

Here is a list and what each is good for:

• Amla/ Amalaki - a hair tonic and superfood for hair; can stimulate hair growth
• Aloe Vera - moisturises, protects and nourishes as it is full of nutrients
• Angelica - promotes hair growth
• Birch leaf - reduces oiliness, refines pores and promotes hair growth
• Burdock root - skin conditioner, rich in nutrients for a healthy hair and scalp
• Calendula - anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, healing
• Chamomile - calms, reduces response to irritation
• Clover - soothes, conditions, promotes healthy hair and scalp
• Dandelion - anti-bacterial, astringent, rich in minerals, good for scalp health and promoting hair growth
• Fennel seed - rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients, may assist with preventing hair loss, and promoting hair growth
• Fenugreek - for growth
• Ginseng - conditions, rejuvenates, enhances circulation, promotes hair growth
• Gotu Kola/centella asiatica - healing, promotes circulation, improves scalp health
• Green Tea - exfoliates, soothes, great for stimulating hair growth, full of nutrients and polyphenols
• Hibiscus - stimulates hair growth, hair conditioner, rich in vitamins and nutrients
• Henna - colourant and conditioner, but tends to dry out hair with repeated use
• Hops - astringent, reduces itchiness and scalp conditions, rich in silica
• Horsetail - conditions, reduces oiliness, refines pores, contains silica which strengthens hair
• Irish Moss - smoothes, softens, moisturises and conditions, nutrient dense
• Kelp - soother, softener, conditioner, rich in minerals and vitamins, nutrient dense, helps strengthen the hair and prevent breakage
• Lemon balm/Melissa - soothes, calms, good to reduce oiliness and balance the scalp
• Lemongrass - conditions, tones tissues, combats excess oiliness, supports hair growth
• Liquorice - soothes, stimulates hair growth
• Marshmallow - soothes, nourishes, reduces response to irritation, film-forming protective properties for hair
• Marjoram - soothes, revitalises and rejuvenates hair and scalp
• Milk Thistle - antioxidant, can help strengthen hair follicles and prevent excess hair loss
• Mugwort - moisturizer, anti-inflammatory, increases blood circulation
• Neem - anti-bacterial, regenerating, stimulates hair follicles, reduces hair fallout
• Nettle - stimulates, softens, great for preventing hair loss and encouraging hair growth
• Rosemary - used to promote hair growth, enhances shine
• Sage - conditions, softens, stimulates hair follicles for better growth
• Saw Palmetto berries - skin conditioner, and excellent for promoting hair growth and density
• White Willow Bark - enhances cell turnover, natural source of salicin, great for exfoliating dead skin cells and buildup, oily scalp
• Witch Hazel - removes impurities, reduces oiliness, refines pores, astringent, helps with dandruff
• Yarrow - conditions, soothes. Good for oily scalp, normalises sebum production