Quick Guide To Botanicals For Hair
Aiden Van WykAll 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
3 comments
Hi there Valda,
That looks like the ingredients from our Friday DIY’s!
It’s an easy dual-duty hair & skin treatment you can make using exactly what you purchased:
You’ll need:
- 150 ml Essentially Natural Hand & Body Lotion Base
- 1 teaspoon Babassu Oil
- ½ teaspoon Hydrolysed Jojoba Protein
How to make it:
1. If your babassu oil is solid, gently melt it until just liquid.
2. Stir the babassu oil into the lotion base until evenly combined.
3. Add the hydrolysed jojoba protein and mix well until smooth.
And that’s it – no heating or special equipment needed :)
How you can use it:
- As a leave-in conditioner for softness and frizz control
- On dry or damp hair to smooth flyaways and add shine
- As a pre-wash hair treatment for extra slip
- On hands or body as a light, nourishing moisturiser
The lotion base already contains preservatives, so once mixed, it’s ready to use straight away. <3
I hope that helps, please do reach out if you have any further queries, we’d love to help.
Kindest regards,
Essentially Natural Support
I bought Essentially Natural Natural Hand & Body Lotion base, babassu oil and hydrolyzed jojoba protein but can find recipe for making whatever I thought I could make at the time I ordered. Please help if you recognise these ingredients which I can mix into something. Thanks
I just happened to fall into your site by chance and I already love your products.
Would love to know if you have anything for eye health ( glaucoma) and bladder health ( uti,over active and cysts occasionally)