Healthy-hair and nails recipes that have stood the test of time
These tried and tested home-made natural preparations from grandmother's time can encourage hair growth and improve the condition of your hair and scalp

A wide range of herbal ingredients has been used through the ages to improve and enchance what nature provided.
Usually producers of hair care products operates four hair types: dry, greasy, normal or "problem" hair, but herbal trichologists state that all hair is normal for that person and problems should first be dealt with by looking holistically at a person: that is, looking at his or her lifestyle. Too many spicy foods, fats and sugars can be responsible for greasy hair and synthetic shampoos can create dry hair. There is also concern about the effects that medicated shampoos can have on the hair and scalp if used routinely. Streets, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, too much sun, chemical hair treatments, rinses and dyes all cause hair problems too.

Hair treatments
Dry hair and any hair lacking luster will benefit from a warm oil treatment before a shampoo. Make a herbal oil using one of the above herbs and a polyunsaturated vegetable oil such as peach kernel, almond or sunflower. Alternatively, add 6 drops of essential oil to 2 tbsp (30 ml) of almond oil or any vegetable oil. Warm the oil, pour a small amount into your palm and rub your hands together. Massage well into the scalp and along the hair strands. Repeat as necessary. Cover the head with foil and a plastic shower cap and wrap in a hot towel when it cools. Try to leave on for 20 to 30 minutes for greatest penetration, then wash off with a mild shampoo.

Massage-oil (mixed essential-oils)

1 tsp. rosemary oil
1 tsp. basil oil
1 tsp. lavender oil

1 tbsp. burdock oil
1 tbsp. aloe vera gel

In a dark glass bottle, combine 1 teaspoon each of rosemary, basil and lavender essential oils. Mix 5 drops of this mixture with 1 tablespoon of burdock oil and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Massage it into your scalp a few hours before shampooing your hair.
Burdock oil is used to improve hair strength, shine and body, and combat hair loss. It was also used as a herbal remedy to get rid of dandruff and scalp itching, and to promote healing of skin and scalp conditions. Modern studies indicate that burdock-root oil extract is rich in phytosterols and essential fatty acids, nutrients required for a healthy scalp and natural hair growth. Massaging your scalp with essential oils can stimulate hair growth.

Variant of massage-oil with castor oil

1 egg yolk
1 tbsp. cognac
1 tbsp. burdock oil
1 tbsp. castor oil
1 tbsp. onion juice

Variant of massage-oil: Mumio Hair Nourishing Mask

Mumijo (Mumio) is a widely used in traditional medicine for inside and outside usage. In particular in a hair loss and scalp treatment. The unique combination of organic and inorganic compounds included in mumijo helps to accelerate the processes of skin regeneration. More about Mumio (Mumijo).

1 tbsp. aloe juice
1 tsp. garlic juice
1 tbsp honey
250 ml water
2 yolks
0,5 g mumijo (2-3 pills)

Mumio (Mumijo) Hair Nourishing Mask makes hair thicker and healthier. Mix aloe juice, juice of garlic honey, after dissolve 2-3 pills of mumijo in this mixture. Add two yolks and mash all together with a wooden spoon. Apply the composition to hair and rub it into head skin. Dress a plastic cap and wrap with a towel. Leave for 30-40 minutes and wash a head with a shampoo. More home made recipes based on mumio.

HERBAL SHAMPOOS

A quick herbal shampoo

Pour one application of a mild baby shampoo in to a cap and add 2tbsp (30 ml) of a strong decoction of your selected herb, or 4 drops of essential oil. Mix together and use in the normal manner.


Henna & Egg Shampoo

5 tbsp. natural henna powder
1 egg
1 cup warm water
juice of 1/2 lemon

Prepare a thick paste by mixing the egg and the henna into the warm water. Leave the mixture to set for one hour, then add the lemon juice to fix the colour. Apply gently and thoroughly to hair and scalp. For best results, wait for at least two hours or until completely dry before rinsing out hair with warm water. Note: some people prefer to leave the mixture in overnight, in a hair pack.
This shampoo, used for centuries in India and the Middle East, has now found its way to the West. Natural henna will leave your hair strengthened and shinier, adding a light brown tinge to it. It also acts as a natural coolant for the scalp.

HERBAL HAIR RINSES

Apple Vinegar Rinse

1 litre cold water
1 tsp. apple vinegar

Mix together water and apple vinegar and rinse through hair.
This blend of apple vinegar and water is used as a conditioner to add shine, or just as a treatment for the hair itself.

Several fixes for flakes
If you are plagued with dandruff, follow one or more of these natural remedies:

* Spike your shampoo. Add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), an antiseptic herb, to a palm-size amount of gentle shampoo just before washing your hair.

* Massage your scalp while shampooing to loosen flakes, but avoid scratching, which will create sores.

* Rinse with antiseptic herbs. Boil 2 rounded tablespoons of dried herb
(or herbs mixture) in 1 cup of water for 5 to 7 minutes. Cool, strain, and massage tea through shampooed hair and into your scalp. Do not rinse out.

* Get you biotin. This vitamin like nutrient may prevent and treat dandruff. Good sources include brewer's yeast, cheese, and rice bran.

* Reduce stress. Dandruff (and other skin conditions such as eczema) can be worsened by high levels of stress. Practice yoga or tai chi, take natural antidepressants and meditate.

Indian Recipes for Hair Treatment

Henna Paste
Henna provides amazing benefits for hair. It is well-known for its capabilities as a conditioner for hair and its versatility is also widely appreciated. By applying it in its paste form mixed with appropriate ingredients, any kind of hair can be made shinier, smoother, and more manageable. The ingredients with which henna can be mixed with include yoghurt, egg, lemon juice, and coffee. You can also add a full teaspoon of pure olive or coconut oil, if your hair is dry. The paste is washed it off around 45 minutes to an hour after application to your head. It also increases the functionality of scalp by removing the wastes and impurities that have accumulated on it. Its rich content of necessary ingredients makes your hair stronger and it can also give your hair gloss and smoothness. You hair will be able to withstand factors that could damage its health and it also appears thicker.

Shikakai Powder
Shikakai, known as “fruit for the hair”, is effective in cleaning the hair by keeping all its natural oils intact. Shikakai nuts are the source of shikakai powder. Shikakai is believed to encourage hair growth and make hair roots stronger. You can experience maximum benefits by applying 1 tablespoon of shikakai powder combined with 1 tablespoon each of amla powder, bhringraj and aritha powder. Put this mixture into a cup of boiling water and keep the infusion undisturbed for 10 minutes. For those suffering from dandruff attack or problems with their scalp, adding 1 teaspoon of neem powder to this blend is advisable. Also supplement the mixture with 1 teaspoon of liquid castile soap if you are one with oily hair. After cooling the mixture can be used to wash your hair. Be careful to rinse properly using warm water. According to your choice, you can go for hair conditioning with amla and brahmi oils after the mixture is applied and washed off.

Hesh Amla Powder
Hesh Amla Powder is a natural powder having the capability to act as an astringent and skin toner. It has got benefits for both your skin and hair. In its paste form, this powder promotes hair growth and helps to keep the hair loss to a minimum. It also protects the scalp from any infections and helps keep premature hair graying at bay. You can apply Amla Powder by soaking it with hot water in an iron vessel. The amount of hot water should be chosen adequately and use iron vessel as much as possible for soaking. Allow the soaked Amla Powder to sit for a whole night. In the morning, wash your hair with the resultant extract. You can repeat this process every 3rd or 4th day.

More about causes of Hair Loss read here