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 strip much-needed moisture and amino acids. Why not switch from the “heavy-duty cycle” to “delicate” and try these natural alternatives?
Natural Hair Care
- Birch Shampoo
Birch was a major ingredient of nineteenth-century shampoos. Birch contains betulin, which is beneficial for hair loss. (See Five Ways to Stimulate Hair Growth.)
The following recipe uses a birch herbal infusion. To make an herbal infusion, pour 2 c. boiling water over 2 tbsp. birch bark or birch leaves. (Herb sources include Starwest Botanicals and Mountain Rose Herbs.)
- 1 c. birch water (directions above)
- 4 oz. raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 oz. liquid castile soap
- 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin
Combine ingredients in glass jar. Shake well. This formula can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Note: The high salicylic acid content of birch makes it beneficial for dandruff. Add tea tree oil to the above recipe for added benefit.
- Egg and Lemon Shampoo.
Adapted from the book Green Beauty Recipes by Julie Gabriel.
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 oz. olive oil
- 1/2 oz. liquid castile soap
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Combine egg yolk with olive oil. Add remaining ingredients and stir slowly. Wet your hair and massage well. Leave on for 30 seconds or more. Rinse with lukewarm water. For oily hair, use even less or no oil.
- Rhassoul Clay.
Rhassoul clay has been used for hundreds of years for skin and hair care. This shampoo method involves some trial and error, but may be worth it for those who desire a thorough cleansing of the scalp and hair.
To create your clay shampoo:
Combine 2 tbsp. rhassoul clay with 1/2 c. filtered water. Allow this to hydrate for several minutes until the mixture reaches a spreadable consistency. Add more warm water if needed. This should keep at room temperature for 1-2 weeks, or longer in the refrigerator.
Directions for shampooing:
Apply liquid paste to hair and scalp. Comb through to distribute clay mixture. Rinse thoroughly. Comb through again and rinse one more time. If desired, use a natural conditioner like those described in the previous post All-Natural Hair Conditioner.
For more, see Rhassoul Clay for Natural Beauty Care.
Transitioning from harsh chemicals to natural alternatives is a process requiring trial and error to determine the best method for your hair. It may take several weeks to strip the hair of the product buildup. Continue to condition your hair with pH-restoring conditioners.
If needed, alternate between natural and synthetic options to ease the transition. Gradually introduce more natural options and reduce your synthetic use. Before you know it you’ll be enjoying the “delicate cycle” with all of its natural benefits!
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I love this—particularly the birch one! I’m a barber, and many of the people whose hair I cut are interested in natural living—and they use shampoos that are full of chemicals!
I’ll be passing these on—thank you for the recipes!
I am a swimming teacher – so I spend Lots of time IN that chlorinated water. Has anyone experienced life in the aquatic environment & “no ‘poo” ??
also, does anyone do this with a young toddler? my toddler seems to have knots/ tangles in her hair every morning, making it painful to her, to comb/ brush her hair. I was thinking of trying a spray on vinegar “rinse”
THANKS!
I have not used the clay in conjunction with chlorine, Pamela. One idea is to spray the hair with Vitamin C spray after swimming to neutralize some of the chlorine. Marshmallow root makes a nice detangler evidently. Here’s a nice article
http://wellnessmama.com/13101/diy-hair-detangling-spray/
How often would you want to wash your hair if using the Birch option. Where woukd one find Birch to begin with, does it also condition?
The best conditioner is something acidic like lemon juice or raw apple cider vinegar. The acid brings down the pH after using something alkaline. Birch can be found at Mountain Rose Herbs. https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/search?page=1&q=birch&utf8=✓ Amazon has it as well.
Hi Andrea
Stumbled upon your blog today, despite being an avid no ‘poo-er and natural hair care researcher for the last 2 years. You have inspired me to try rhassoul clay as I would love to get my scalp to produce less oil. I wash once a week with rye flour, but my fine hair gets oily by day 3, so I have to use dry shampoo most of the time, as blonde hair literally goes light brown when it’s oily. Even after a year of washing once a week I have not been able to “train” my scalp to be less greasy. Just wanted to check: do you apply the clay mixture to dry hair before combing, rinsing and combing and rinsing again?
I make a paste with the clay and put it on my hair dry. Sometimes I apply the paste after my hair is wet and then comb it through in the shower. Definitely comb it through in order for it to work well. Here’s a bit more on my routine:
http://it-takes-time.com/my-natural-hair-care-routine/
Thank you for your reply. Do you have an easy way of applying the clay mixture to your dry hair? I paint it on with a hair dye brush in sections, but it takes too long, especially before work. Do you pour it over your head and rely on the combing to distribute it evenly?
I make it smooth enough to pour or use my hands to put it on my hair and then comb through. It does go on easier if your hair is wet.
I tried a Rhassoul wash on Tuesday and my hair came out the best it’s ever been, and it’s still quite clean – thank you for all your advice! It cleans just enough without stripping the natural oils too much and my normally fluffly hair has stayed perfectly in place for the last 3 days, plus my hair seems to have had a deep conditioning treatment from the clay too – no more flyaways, I can’t believe it. How long did it take you to stretch your time between washing to over 10 days?
It took awhile! The only reason I stretch it out is convenience…once or twice a week seems great since this is so natural. I’m glad it worked for you, Theresa!
How often should I use the birch infusion and for how long?
Infusions generally take about 48 hours or so. Use as needed.
Andrea, how often should I apply the infusion (Birch, yarrow, burdock, rosemary and nettle) Each time I shampoo?
If I make a birch infusion, may I use that with the rhassoul clay, instead of plain water with the clay, thereby accomplishing both ideas with one process? Thank you in advance!
That sounds like an excellent idea, Kathy! If you try it, let me know.