Every season provides a new way to strain and damage your hair. The sand and salt water of the ocean in summer can leave you with lusterless locks. The winter winds and ice leave your hair crispy and exhausted. The humid days bring frizz and fuss to anyone who dares step outside.

Whenever I notice my poor hair needing a break, I give it an herbal care day. It is easy and so worth the time that it takes to turn basic kitchen ingredients into magical potions of beauty! Start now by making a batch of conditioning herbal vinegar. It will be ready for your spa day in a week or so!

Vinegar Hair Rinses

Why would I put vinegar in my hair!?

Raw apple cider vinegar is a boon to encourage healthy locks! It can help restore your hair’s pH balance. It can help with almost every hair issue, from oily hair to an itchy, dry scalp. It may even help to combat dandruff and some dermatitis and fungal issues.

But doesn’t it smell bad?!

To be honest, your hair will smell just a bit like vinegar while it is still wet. But the smell goes away like magic as soon as your hair is dry!

Conditioning Herbal Vinegar Rinse

Grab a jar with a lid. Since vinegar will strip anything metal, use a plastic lid if at all possible. Add the herbs (suggestions below) to the jar and cover them with the vinegar. Let it sit in a dark place for at least a week. Strain and bottle your vinegar and don’t forget to label it well.

To use, just pour about an 1/8 cup of vinegar into a plastic container (no glass jars in the shower, please!). You can use it straight, or dilute it with water if that is too drying. It’s a personal choice, so experiment a bit! Pour the vinegar over your hair when you are ready to get out of the bath. You don’t have to rinse it out, but a blast of cold water is always a good way to boost the shine of your hair.

Suggested Herbal Ingredients

Dried nettles – restorative, mineral rich nettles help to encourage strong hair.

Sage – helps to darken gray hair

Fresh rosemary – provides shine and luster to dark hair

Black tea – for dark hair, but watch out for over-drying tannins

Green tea – good for lighter hair, but watch out for the tannins

Dried hibiscus flowers – give a boost to red hair

Chamomile flowers – help to lighten fair hair

Lemon juice or peels – also great for lightening blonde hair

Oatstraw – mineral rich

Calendula – always lovely for conditioning

Lemon balm or lemon verbena – just lovely for their scent

Rose, rose hips – gentle and conditioning for dry scalp

Lavender – astringent, good for oily hair

Peppermint or spearmint – invigorating and refreshing for the scalp

Marshmallow root – emollient, moisturizing, and strengthening

RESOURCES:

Hair Care Herbs: http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/idascorner/ingredients/ingredients-faqs/hair-care-herbs

This post was written by Amber Shehan, the head pixie at Pixiespocket.com. She’s been eating things out of her yard and brewing them up as teas and tinctures for over 15 years now.