After a health crisis in 2008, I made a decision to switch to natural hair care. I began using products safe enough to consume, ditched the chemical hair coloring, and even turned to a sheep horn comb!
Before 2008, my biggest concern about my hair was how often to color it. I started using boxed hair coloring the day I turned 40 and didn’t look back.
After we left our home and began an intense detox protocol, I realized that more was going to have to change besides our environment. Due to the onset of chemical sensitivity, I did my best to eliminate chemicals from all areas of my life, including hair care products. I cut my hair super short and let it go gray. (See my blog post from 2009: Grief and Opportunity).
My focus became my internal condition, rather than my outward appearance. I felt free and open to new discoveries.
I experimented with natural hair coloring and found henna to be effective, but not necessarily something I wanted to maintain.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
I studied the structure of hair, with increasing awareness of the close connection with the immune system. Hair follicles are involved vital living organs. There’s no need to potentially impair our health by allowing chemicals to invade our scalp.
Hair production occurs in phases: growth (anagen), regression (catagen), exogen (shedding), and resting (telogen). Too much catagen and we experience accelerated hair loss. Inflamed hair follicles can trigger catagen, which explains why those with inflammatory health conditions often experience severe hair loss. (Relevant study here.)
Since embarking on my health journey, I notice that my hair is thicker! Perhaps less inflammation is the reason.
Shampoo
I stopped using shampoo in 2010. I switched to rhassoul clay and use it to this day. Initially, I missed the “shampoo feeling,” but stuck with the process, and now I love the feel of my hair! 
Rhassoul clay isn’t for everyone, but I find that combing it through while in the shower helps distribute the clay, making it more efficient. If I try to scrub my scalp instead of combing, my hair doesn’t feel as clean. Before ruling out rhassoul clay as shampoo, try this method and see if you notice a difference. (See Rhassoul Clay for Natural Beauty Care.)
I have also used herbal shampoo from Morrocco Method. I purchased the trial sizes, and they lasted for six months. Because my hair had already transitioned to “herb only,” it did great with these products.
My latest DIY shampoo is a combination of rhassoul clay, garbanzo bean flour, amla, and reetha. Each of these has active components that nourish while gently cleansing the hair and scalp. I make a paste with filtered water and apply to my scalp, leaving it on for an hour or so before rinsing.
Herbal Shampoo: How Often?
I used to wash my hair every day or every other day when using conventional shampoo. Once I started the clay, I noticed my hair felt clean for three to four days. Now, I wash my hair every 7–10 days! My hair no longer feels oily. This has been the biggest reward, as I prefer to minimize my showers to strengthen and protect my skin. (See 4 Ways to Protect Your Skin Microbiome.)
I haven’t felt the need for a rinsing agent, but raw apple cider or Queen of Hungary Water has worked well in the past.
Shower Filter
I noticed an immediate difference in the texture of my hair (and skin) after investing in a shower filter. The chlorine and contaminants found in community water supplies can be very harsh and drying. Also, these chemicals have ready access to the immune system through the scalp.
I like the Berkey Shower Filter found here.
Hair Styling Tools
I rarely style my hair but keep it shoulder length with a straightforward cut. After washing, I allow it to air dry. With my long history of perms and colors, I love simple!
I use a sheep horn comb for styling. This simple investment has been life changing. Horn combs (sheep, ox, or water buffalo combs) do not give off static electricity like plastic combs.
Horn Comb Benefits:
- Treats follicles, helping spread natural oils, leaving hair naturally glossy and moisturized.
- Prevents split ends and breakage.
- Exfoliates debris and dead cells.
- May discourage flaking and relieve itchy scalp.
- Helps the circulation of the blood.
I comb my hair daily. It honestly feels like a scalp massage every time I use it. Massage is one way to stimulate hair growth, a bonus of a horn comb. (See Five Ways to Stimulate Hair Growth.)
I wipe my horn comb periodically with a cloth and find it keeps its shape and stays clean for many months.
You’ll find a wide variety of horn combs at Amazon.
Lunar Hair Cutting
I have incorporated this aspect of natural hair care in the last year. With my straightforward shoulder-length cut, it’s easy to embrace an age-old concept of stimulating strong hair roots according to the lunar cycle.
The Farmers’ Almanac lists best dates for cutting hair right alongside its suggested dates for planting crops. (Find the Almanac’s best days to cut hair here.)
The idea is that since the moon has a direct pull not only on ocean tides but other living things, why trim your hair on days when the pull is stronger?
I’m no expert on this, and it certainly puts me in the category of over-the-top when it comes to natural hair care, but cutting hair at the equinox makes sense to me. If you’re curious about lunar hair care, check out Morrocco Method’s chart and explanation here.
Transitioning to a natural hair care protocol is a process. Your hair can feel worse before it feels better. Celebrate the small changes and stay strong. You’ll be glad you did!
**Note: I have no financial ties with any company, only a desire to share information.
Related Posts
- 63
Altering our lifestyle to integrate non-toxic products has been a slow process. It took at least a year to incorporate fragrance-free and chemical-free items into all areas of life, including laundry, kitchen, and personal hygiene. It's been trial-and-error with grooming products. When our reactivity was at its height, I found… - 58
Our hair is made up of fiber, much like wool that comes from sheep or Kashmir goats. With at least 100,000 hair fibers on our head, it makes sense to treat our hair much like we would a cashmere sweater. Most commercial shampoos contain chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, which… - 45Hoping to go more natural this year when it comes to your hair care? It's not easy to transition away from the lure of chemically-laden hair care products. In fact a detox phase in inevitable, as your body, hair and mind adjust to the change. It's been more than 4…
- 38
Looking for a rich, nourishing DIY spa treatment for your face? Try this DIY face mask recipe! You'll love the way your skin feels after using this mask. The recipe allows for various adaptations depending on your skin type and availability of ingredients. Why these ingredients? Rhassoul clay Rhassoul clay,… - 36
Who needs all the chemicals that come with most shampoos on the market? Why not make your own shampoo bar and bypass the plastic container along with the questionable ingredients! This recipe comes from The Natural Beauty Solution, a book full of simple, well-photographed DIY recipes. What You'll Need The…
Your routine is so cool Andrea! I admire you. I love that you enjoy washing your hair in the water on hikes. So awesome!
Thank you, Emily! I made your coffee cake recipe and my family loved it!
I’m so happy to hear that! It’s such a fun recipe. Lots of love to you.
Hi Andrea, I just came across the following news story on showering too often (it also touches on a few points in your article) http://www.newser.com/story/221809/we-should-only-be-showering-once-a-week.html?intcmp=hpdm and thought it was interesting.
Keep up the good work… I LOVE what you are reporting on and find it helpful 🙂 Love to you and the family!
Thanks so much for this article, Cindy. And the encouragement!! 🙂
Love the lunar hair cutting idea. I try and plant based upon the moon as well as making tinctures.
your arre so cool andrea!!! the way you wash your hairs over a hike is amazing
I have never even thought about lunar hair cutting! I’ve been accustomed to the idea of other things by the lunar cycle, but hair has never occurred to me! INTERESTING!!!
Yes, isn’t it, Daja?
Lunar cutting? Whoa. That’s interesting. I’m lucky if I get a haircut once a year! Great post and you look MAH-V- LUS!
Thanks, Karen. 🙂
This is so great! I’ve wanted to try Morocco Method products for a while, but I’m afraid to… 🙁 So many things that others rave about for their hair never seem to work for me. But I love the photo of you washing your hair!
Thanks, Lindsey. I understand the hesitation to try something new when it’s been tough in the past.
Your hair is just beautiful! I learned so many new things with this post. I’ve tried the No ‘Poo method with baking soda and ACV but it didn’t work great for me. I’m glad to know there are more options!
Yes, it really is about finding what works. Thanks for stopping by, Beth.
I love, love, LOVE this post! So much useful information and things I hadn’t even heard of (like lunar hair cutting). I also use clay to wash my hair, though it is bentonite and raw honey that I whip up. I never would have thought of adding the things you do. I have found though, that I only need to wash my hair every 7-10 days also. I love using natural hair routines and I’m happy to have gotten a look at yours! Thanks for sharing!
I love the idea of honey and clay!! Thanks for the encouragement, Melissa.
You are a rock star.
Thank you for this interesting hair care idea. I am struggling to find a way to clean my hair and prevent more from falling out. I think it may be inflammation that is the cause of my hair loss. But, aside from inflammation, I don’t want to make things worse with commercial hair care products. Could you please detail the proportions of rhassoul, garbonzo bean flour, amla, and reetha that you use? Thank you.
Most of the mixture is rhassoul clay. My blogging friend Danielle has a nice recipe here. She doesn’t use rhassoul in this but I thought it would help to see something specific. http://lovelovething.com/homemade-herbal-shampoo/
Thank you for this article! It’s an encouragement to find a natural hair care routine. My friends gasp when I tell them I wash my hair only once every 4 days, but 7-10, woah!!!! I might cancel my hair color appointment at the salon and try henna instead. Thanks for mentioning the products you use and letting us know that you aren’t reimbursed for mentioning certain brands! (Love your segments on Chris Fabry Live too!)
Thanks Lisa! If you try the henna I’d love to hear how it works for you. Thanks for the encouragement.
What is the purpose for including the garbanzo bean flour? Can you provide your basic recipe so I can try it? Do you make a batch at a time or fresh each time?
I combine approx 1 tablespoon of each to make a paste. I might use more rhassoul clay if I feel it’s needed. The garbanzo bean flour is for protein – it’s been used forever in India for skin and hair.
Heard your hair segment on Chris’ program last week. Love it! It was so helpful!
Could you give a bit more detail to your routine? You mix the paste, apply it to your scalp. Then what do you do while you’re waiting an hour? Wrap your hair in a towel? I’m assuming your hair is wet when you apply the paste. Do you wet it, apply, wait an hour, then comb it through when you are in the shower? I’m currently using Morrocco Method. They also recommend waiting after application, so the clay has time to absorb the oil. I haven’t known how to make all that work, so I just apply it and rinse it out. I’m sure it’s not as effective that way.
Yes, I wet my hair and then spread the paste on my hair and rub it in. I have plastic shower caps that are disposable..or just walk around in the air. If I’m just using rhassoul clay I don’t wait. I apply the paste to my wet hair in the shower and then comb it through. Then rinse. Super simple and quick when using just the clay.
What is the sheep horn comb made of. I read your post where you say that the comb keeps its shape. My comb is not soft.
It is made from a sheep’s horn. Not pliable at all.
Dear Andrea, your site about no poo makes the most sense to me. I read so many info and the most of it did not really work, because i like simple.
I bought a oxhorn comb, can’t wait to receive it.
Ghassoul clay works the best for me to clean. I make diy dryshampoo with bentonite and arrowroot. Works great.
I washed my hair daily for 30 years with shampoo, so it totally is out of balance! And it is so thin, and i kept washing it to get some volume until i woke up that this is madness. Oh dear, it was so bad for my delicate hair.
I have a question.
I now do this for 3 months. And am in transition big time. But, Gassoul and diy dryshampoo helps me. Massaging, nurturing food, msm, sometimes coffee in my clay.
It feels so much better, my hair is changing.
How long did it take for you when your hair got thicker?
I see new hairs growing on my scalp, that is fun!
How often do you cut it?
Love, Maria
I don’t know on thickness honestly, but I do cut it twice a year. Lunar cutting is optimal and very intriguing.http://www.om-journal.com/haircut