Botanicals have been a huge buzzword lately, basically referring to compounds which have been based on plants. In addition to boosting your health when consumed orally, and enhancing your complexion when used topically, botanicals may also work wonders with regards to hair.
Horsetail
Many people have never heard of horsetail, but this grassy-smelling herb is commonly grown in North America, and has been used for 1000's of years in many different health concoctions.
One of its key benefits is the fact that the stem of the plant contains high amounts of silica.
Silica is important when it comes to the development of protein in the hair, not just encouraging new hair growth but additionally repairing any damaged hair tissue along the shaft. This also strengthens your hair, while protecting it from pollution and UV rays.
Hair care brands caught on to the power of silica in the past, and you will find it part of a wide range of different hair products. However, this tends to be silicon rather than silica.
Wondering what the difference is?
Silicon only gives your hair a man-made shine, and also causes a substantial amount of damage whether it makes contact with heat.
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the top botanicals available when it comes to the health of your hair, and has been employed for proper hair care purposes for centuries.
What exactly does rosemary do for that hair?
Well, to begin with, this aromatic botanical contains so many different antioxidants, one of which is a chemical known as carnasol. This rich antioxidant helps to fight the disposable radicals that create hair to thin and grey.
Rosemary also includes properties that invigorate the hair, adding shine while reducing any dandruff, and treating dry scalp issues.
However, one of the main benefits that rosemary has is by using hair growth…
Research indicates that, when coupled with other botanicals, rosemary can increase hair regrowth by over 20%, while boosting microcirculation, which promotes healing.
While there are many proper hair care products out there which are formulated with rosemary, use this botanical in the essential oil form for quicker results.
Ginseng
A popular Chinese herb, ginseng is known for its stimulating abilities, applying this to everything from the mind towards the central nervous system towards the scalp.
When you are looking at your hair, there has been a couple of studies carried out on the results of ginseng, and both of them produced positive results.
Here are a few of the results that researchers found ginseng to possess:
- An rise in hair thickness
- An increase in hair density
- A decrease in hair thinning
- A reduction in dandruff
Thanks to those scientifically proven properties, ginseng is a very common ingredient in proper hair care products, however, you can also take ginseng supplements if you would like to boost its effects.
Ashwagandha
One of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing, ashwagandha is often known as an Indian ginseng, simply because they share similar properties.
The plant itself is a shrub, with yellow flowers and red fruits, also it tends to be the fruit and also the roots that contain the most potent compounds.
One of those compounds is tyrosine, that is an protein.
What performs this do?
Firstly, it is able to prevent losing melanin, meaning that it can prevent premature graying.
It also contains antioxidants that do from strengthening your hair to treating scalp psoriasis and dandruff.
Fenugreek
A person in the pea family, fenugreek is an aromatic spice that works wonders on hair.
How?
It actually constitutes a great alternative to store-bought conditioners, because fenugreek seeds have such a high mucilage content. This basically coats each strand of hair in the same way that the traditional conditioner would, nourishing your hair while giving it an added layer of protection at the same time.
Just just like a conditioner, fenugreek also helps with de-tangling, while softening your hair and passing on an all natural bounce.
Lavender
You have likely already heard about lavender, and perhaps also use items that contain this beautifully scented botanical.
However, it is not just its scent which makes lavender this type of top quality ingredient for the hair…
Lavender is a superb herb for people who are afflicted by alopecia.
Not sure what this is?
It is really a condition that causes the abnormal loss of hair. It can be triggered by a variety of different factors, from genetics to a poor diet to hormones.
Of course, if you suffer from alopecia, you should spend some time determining its real cause. But, in the meantime, lavender makes a great aid.
How?
By encouraging your hair follicles to produce new hairs faster, while also making certain the new hairs produced are thick and powerful.
Another common issue with hair loss is the fact that follicles of hair often reject hair, thinking that they are foreign objects. Lavender has the ability to stop this from happening, making it a great remedy for baldness.
Do you already have a bottle of lavender acrylic in your own home?
Try mixing this with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil, after which applying this to any split ends, as this will make them less visible and they'll look so much healthier.
Nettle
The most of gardeners available would consider nettles to be simply an annoying weed, however this plant has some incredible properties.
In accessory for boosting your health in many various ways when consumed, nettles also create a great ingredient for hair care.
Why?
Because they have the ability to stimulate the scalp, and therefore boost blood flow, keeping the hair feeling and looking so healthy.
Nettles are also able to inhibit the enzyme that triggers hair loss, causeing this to be an excellent remedy for that condition.
How the use of nettles?
Either purchase them in oil form, or make an oil yourself, and then apply this straight to your scalp. You might give nettle supplements a try, because these will assist you to nourish your hair from inside.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is definitely an ingredient that is commonly used like a carrier for other botanicals.
Why?
Because its structure is incredibly much like that of keratin, the main protein that produces hair.
Aloe vera also includes salicylic acid.
This is definitely an ingredient commonly used in skincare, since it is a gentle but effective exfoliant. When it comes to your hair, these exfoliating enzymes dissolve any the dead skin cells, as well as excess oil, each of which can clog up your hair follicles.
Aloe vera is also extremely hydrating and nourishing, meaning it'll give your hair a general boost.
Sage
Sage is really a herb that can be found in kitchens all over the world, as it really adds a distinct flavor to dishes.
For 1000's of years, cultures around the globe have believed sage to have curative properties, and studies are now able to back this up.
In addition to being an antiseptic, antibiotic and anti-allergy ingredient, sage also includes the next nutrients in high amounts:
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Vitamin C
- B vitamins
Your hair needs all of these in order to be strong, making sage a great ingredient to make use of.
Wondering using it?
There are several various ways, however the easiest is to create a tincture with dried leaves, and then massage this to your scalp, as being a normal hair treatment.
Marshmallow Root
While marshmallows today consist primarily of sugar, these were traditionally produced from a plant that was indigenous to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia.
It is the root of the guarana plant which has long since been revered because of its medicinal properties, and has been used like a remedy for coughs and colds for thus a long time.
What causes it to be so potent?
Well, just like with fenugreek, marshmallow root contains a large quantities of mucilage, which is a slippery substance that actually works in the same manner as a traditional conditioner.
Marshmallow root also contains soothing and cooling properties, which makes it a great strategy to itchy scalps.
In general, the natural proteins within marshmallow root also raise the health of the hair, nourishing it and giving it a powerful shine.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is an factor that everybody ought to be including within their diets, as they are packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
These omega-3 fatty acids are essential for healthier hair, as they increase elasticity, which therefore reduces any breakages.
Flaxseeds will also be full of all the vitamins and minerals that your hair needs in order to thrive.
Burdock
The burdock plant is one that is native to Europe, but has been naturalized in North America. This plant is one of the thistle family, and is extremely rich in everything from efa's to amino acids to minerals.
How can burdock help hair?
It significantly improves blood circulation around the scalp, which means that your follicles of hair convey more access to the nutrients that they need, resulting in faster hair regrowth.
When used being an oil, burdock will also help to assuage the scalp, relieving any irritations or any other scalp conditions.
There a multitude of other botanicals available that could really benefit hair, if you possess a particular condition you really want to deal with, it would definitely be worth delving deeper into the world of botanicals.
Don’t forget…
In accessory for using these botanicals topically, you can also take most of them as oral supplements, thereby boosting the effects the topical botanicals may have.
Lemon and Lime
Both of those citrus fruits are famous for their vitamin C content, and were used through the ancient Egyptians as a way to cleanse their hair.
While these fruits won't be able to replace a traditional shampoo, they create great treating those who have oily hair. Both lemons and limes contain astringent properties, meaning that they could clear away any excess oil.
Lemons and limes also have antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, and therefore they are able to assist with scalp problems and dandruff.
Oatstraw
You likely already know that oats are great for your skin and hair, but do you know what oatstraw is?
Oatstraw refers back to the dried tops from oat crops, and they contain all of the same compounds that the oats do themselves.
Just like oats, oatstraw has incredible anti-inflammatory properties, and is also an incredibly gentle ingredient. This makes oatstraw perfect for anyone that has an itchy scalp or dandruff.
Amla
Also known as the Indian gooseberry, amla contains a number of antioxidants, including vitamin C.
Why does vitamin C matter?
Because this vitamin is important for the manufacture of collagen, which in turn helps to boost hair growth and strength.
Got several gray strands?
Amla can help with this too.
If you cannot find any proper hair care items that contain this botanical, your next option is to buy it in a powdered form. Mix this with some water to create a paste, after which apply this for your hair, as being a hair mask, for about 30 minutes, before rinsing it off.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is really a plant that resembles a palm tree, but is much more low growing. The fruits that this tree produces are packed with phytosterols and essential fatty acids, meaning that they can bring your body an array of different benefits.
Saw palmetto is really one of the most popular herbal remedies out there with regards to hair thinning.
Why?
Because it has the ability to stop testosterone from being changed into dihydrotestosterone.
Wondering why this matters?
Because dihydrotestosterone has been linked to hair loss, and therefore the inhibition of the not just prevents hair thinning, but also encourages strong and healthy growth.
While you will find medications out there that can also avoid the production of dihydrotestosterone, saw palmetto does this with no negative effects, which is why this could be the botanical of choice for hair loss.
