We all love essential oils. They’re luxurious, smooth, and the sensual feel of them against our skin is heavenly. We use them for their calming effect to uplift and invigorate our busy lives. We’ve learned how to take advantage of their medicinal properties to heal us, both internally and topically, by supplementing our diets with the oils. Not to mention, their fragrance alone is wonderful!
As we learn more about their beneficial properties, we are looking to essential oils in keeping our skin and hair healthy and flourishing. You may have heard about the effects of essential oils for male pattern baldness? They not only strengthen our hair, but nourish both dry and oily scalps, treating conditions such as dandruff. And better yet, essential oils cost a fraction of manufactured products that have both harsh and dangerous chemicals.
We’ve picked out our five favorite essential oils for hair care. Start your journey to healthier hair and skin by experimenting with these, and others, to find what suits you best.
Table of Contents
Lavender
Lavender oil improves blood circulation to the scalp to keep your hair flourishing. It has antimicrobial properties that combat bacteria and fungi, making it an effective treatment for dandruff and scalp acne. Lavender also helps the healing process of minor injuries on the scalp, can reduce pain, and enhance blood circulation. As a bonus, the scent of lavender soothes you while it’s on your hair, creating an aura of peace while eliminating nervous tension. It’s quite wonderful.
Treatment:
Mix 8-10 drops with 2 tablespoons of warm extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. Massage into your scalp. Cover your hair with a towel and leave on overnight to take full advantage of its healing and nourishing properties. Wash your hair in the morning.
Rosemary
Rosemary oil is packed with antioxidants that stimulate hair follicles to help with thinning hair, allowing your hair to become longer and stronger. It also slows down the premature graying of your hair, prevents hair loss, and moisturizes dry scalp to relieve dandruff. Rosemary encourages blood circulation in the scalp, and prevents hair follicles from being starved of blood supply, dying off and leading to hair loss. It keeps the oil glands at bay and unclogs pores to avoid scalp acne and itchy scalp. The scent can only be described as “minty-woodsy,” and it’s as refreshing and invigorating as it sounds.
Treatment:
Mix 3–5 drops with equal parts olive oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp for about two minutes. Leave in your hair for 3 to 4 hours and then wash your hair as usual.
Chamomile
Chamomile oil has extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties. You can rub it into the scalp to relieve itchy scalp from dandruff, dermatitis, psoriasis, and hair lice. Chamomile oil hydrates the scalp, thus eliminating irritation and itching associated with the aforementioned. It also helps with dry and brittle hair, retaining the moisture level and strengthening your hair from within, adding shine, softness, and strength to your hair. But here’s the really neat thing—it can lighten your hair. Not only will you have that natural sun-kissed look, but you won’t have to expose yourself to harmful chemicals like hydroxide peroxide (bleach) and formaldehyde (a known carcinogen) to lighten your hair.
Treatment:
Combine 5 drops of chamomile oil with a tablespoon of sea salt and one-third cup of baking soda. Add enough warm water to create a paste and massage into your scalp. Let it sit about half an hour and rinse out. For a more dramatic effect, sit in the sun while the paste is on.
To make a hair rinse, add 10 drops of the oil to a quart of water to use as a final rinse after washing your hair. It leaves a nice sheen to your hair and a light scent of apple.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood oil balances the production of oil on your scalp, so it helps with both dry or oily scalps. Its antiseptic action controls bacterial and fungal problems, such as dandruff and itchy scalp. It stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation to the scalp, allowing hair growth and slowing down the process of hair loss. Cedarwood also repels those pests that swarm around our heads when outdoors on summer nights. Maybe it’s the warm woodsy scent that keeps them at bay.
Treatment:
For a dry scalp, mix 2-3 drops with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage into the scalp. Leave it on for 1-2 hours and shampoo out.
For an oily scalp, mix 6 drops with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply to your scalp in gentle circular motions. Leave on overnight; wash your hair the next day.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil controls the oil glands and leaves your hair oil-free and shiny. Its cleansing action unclogs pores and gets the oil flowing normally again, making it perfect for dry scalps and dandruff. Peppermint oil can also be used for hair loss. The menthol in peppermint oil is a vasodilator, which improves blood flow. Female and male pattern baldness occurs due to starved blood loss, so by using this oil, it can increase circulation and improve hair growth and prevent hair loss. It also has a pleasant cooling sensation that energizes your mind, boosts your mood, and relieves tension and headaches.
Treatment:
Mix 5 drops each of peppermint oil and lavender oil in 2 tablespoons of warm coconut oil. Apply to your scalp and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Wash out with shampoo.
For a quick pick-me-up in the morning, add 2–3 drops of peppermint oil to your shampoo or conditioner during your morning shower.
Note: Purchase only 100 percent pure grade oils.
Do a patch test any time you use an essential oil for the first time
Summary
Indulge your hair with these essential oils for shiny, vibrant hair. The properties that these oils contain can boost your hair health easily and effectively. If used on a regular basis, you will start to notice the positive effects they have on your hair.
