by Sara Mcgrath

Created on: December 27, 2007

Warm water alone removes ninety percent of the dirt collected in your hair. By "dirt," I refer to the dust, skin flakes, styling products, and environmental pollutants that collect in the protective oil (sebum) secreted by your hair follicles. Shampoos take care of the remaining buildup in your hair.

The simplest hair washing and conditioning recipe: Massage your scalp and hair with a mixture of baking soda and water (1 teaspoon soda per 2 ounces of water). Follow with a rinse of apple cider vinegar and water (ratio 1:2).

Quick dry hair washing: Sprinkle 1/2 cup cornstarch into your hair. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Brush it out. Cornstarch absorbs excess oils without the need for water rinsing.

Chamomile shampoo: 4 bags chamomile tea, 4 tablespoons soap flakes, 1-1/2 tablespoons glycerin. Steep the tea bags in 1-1/2 cups water for ten minutes. Add soap flakes to the tea. Stir in glycerin. Blend mixture well. Pour into a bottle. Store in a cool dark place. (Glycerin is a by-product of soap-making. It is available at drug and health food stores.)

Deep conditioner: Honey and jojoba oil (ratio 1:1).

Egg conditioner: 1 teaspoon baby oil, 1 egg yolk, 1 cup water. Beat mixture until frothy. Massage into hair. Rinse. Store egg conditioner in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Egg hair tonic: 2 teaspoons gin, 2 egg yolks. Beat mixture until frothy. Massage into hair. Rinse. Store tonic in refrigerator for up to one week.

Hair Tea for highlights and nourishment: 1/2 cup dried chamomile (for light hair) or rosemary (for dark hair) and 4 cups of water. Boil for five minutes and let set for an additional three minutes. Strain and let the liquid cool. Apply the solution to your hair. Let it sit up to twenty minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Refrigerate leftover tea for up to two weeks.

Herbs for dandruff removal: Nettle, sage, and thyme. Add these herbs to hair tea or oils.

Oils for dandruff treatment: Olive and coconut both have antifungal properties and condition hair. Massage 2-3 tablespoons of oil into your scalp, leave on for up to thirty minutes, then shampoo.

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