By Cipriana of Urbanbushbabes.com
For years I used products containing mineral oil to coat my strands. Many manufacturers use mineral oil in a majority of products that contain synthetic ingredients because of its behavior as a preservative. Mineral oil is the result of the distillation of petroleum which acts as a saran wrap against your scalp, slowing down one of the skin’s main job which is to eliminate toxins. On the other hand natural oils are easily absorbed by the skin.
When I used products that consisted mostly of synthetic materials such as Blue Magic I’m not going to lie my hair did grow, but it was not until I switched to all natural products that I began to see the true potential of my growth capability. Before the change in my regimen I experienced a GREAT deal of shedding and dandruff. Now those days are far behind. I’m still fascinated by how are body responds to topical products. Not only is it important to watch what we put into our bodies but what we put on it as well.
My boyfriend’s grandfather is full Cherokee Indian and when we met three years ago he always talked about the importance of what you put on your body, coming from a background of ancestors rich in a holistic lifestyle. But I could not and would not give up my trusty Coconut Blue Magic until just about a year ago. When I finally gave in to the natural “stuff” I was determined that this was just a trial period and I would be back on my good old Blue Magic in no time. Well it’s been a year later and I am still using the natural “stuff”. For years I had been so accustomed to my hair feeling greasy from the mineral oil based products that it took me a while to really understand what my hair felt like with natural oils.
Again I am not here to force you into switching into an all-natural regimen, do what works best for you, but I did come across two interesting articles from ehow.com about the usage of certain natural oils by Native Americans and the distinct benefits the hair reaps from each of these natural oils.
1. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is an extract of the Jojoba plant found in California, Arizona and parts of Mexico. Jojoba oil has been used for hundreds of years by American Indians to moisturize and grow hair. The molecular makeup of jojoba has similar characteristics to the natural oil the glands of the scalp produce. Jojoba oil can be purchased at herb shops and can be applied directly to your hair or you can add a few drops to your favorite conditioner to promote hair growth. Jojoba is hypoallergenic and will not harm your hair or scalp. Aloe vera is another product used by Native American Indians to promote hair growth and is also an excellent moisturizer for your hair.
2. Wheat Germ/Aloe Vera/Coconut Milk
Mix 1/4 cup of wheat germ, 1/4 cup of aloe vera and 1/4 cup of coconut milk and use this product as a natural shampoo. Aloe vera can be purchased at drugstores and herb shops and can also be applied directly to the scalp as it will open pores on the scalp that may have previously been blocked and will allow the hair follicles to grow. The American Indians also used and continue to use several kinds of oils to promote hair growth such as emu oil, rosemary oil, and mustard oil.
3. Peppermint Oil
A few drops of any of these products can be massaged directly into the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and promote hair growth. Peppermint oil is also a good scalp stimulator but must be diluted before application. Mix 3 drops of peppermint oil with 3 teaspoons of water and massage into the scalp. These oils can be purchased at herb shops and all are hypoallergenic and not harmful to the hair or scalp.
4. Lavender Oil/Lavender Water
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis), native to the Mediterranean, is now grown in temperate climates worldwide. For centuries, lavender has been used by herbal practitioners to prevent baldness and to encourage new hair growth. Lavender contains potent anti-bacterial agents that soothe and heal scalp infections. It is useful in treating dandruff and adds volume to the hair shaft. Place a few sprigs of lavender in a glass container and cover with extra-virgin olive oil and cover tightly. Place in a cool, dark spot and allow to age for 3 to 4 weeks. Use the lavender infused oil as a daily scalp massage. Apply and leave on overnight. In the morning, wash hair with a gentle organic shampoo and style as usual.
A daily rinse of lavender water (bring water to a boil, add a few sprigs of lavender, reduce to simmer for 20 minutes, then cool) will impart a delightful fragrance and shine to hair. Apply lavender as a daily rinse after shampooing.
5. Burdock Root Oil
Burdock (Arctium Lappa) root oil, also known as Bur oil is one of the most important herbs used to restore hair. Burdock promotes healthy hair by relieving scalp irritations and improving blood circulation to the hair follicle. Burdock root oil supplies natural phytosterols and important essential fatty acids to hair roots, and has been traditionally used to reduce and reverse hair thinning. It is a key ingredient in many hair restoration treatments.
6. Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) has been used for centuries as both a food staple and as a healing medicinal herb. The herb produces a dark red berry which is dried and then pulverized into a fine powder. Saw palmetto is available in several forms including ointments, capsules, tinctures and teas. Recent scientific studies have shown that Saw Palmetto may have beneficial effects for those suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); male pattern baldness and other conditions associated with excess DHT (male hormone) production.
7. Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle (Urtica Diocia), found growing naturalized across America, blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Excessive DHT contributes to hair loss in both men and women. Stinging nettle can be purchased in either pill or capsule form and is said to be more effective when used in combination with saw palmetto. Nettle can be harvested in the wild (use gloves as the leaves are covered with tiny hairs that cause a stinging sensation upon contact with human skin). The fresh leaves can be submersed in olive oil in a glass jar. Seal and place in a cool, dark spot for 2 to 3 weeks. Apply the oil in an invigorating scalp massage. Stinging nettle essential oil is frequently an ingredient in organic shampoos and conditioners.
8. Rosemary
Used for centuries in cultures worldwide to promote hair growth and delay the onset of gray hair, Rosemary oil stimulates blood circulation of the scalp. A refreshing daily rinse of rosemary leaves simmered in water retains hair color. The rinse is most effective on dark hair. A few drops of rosemary oil can be added to olive oil and used as a scalp massage oil.
So interesting! Ladies, have you tried any of these? How do they work on your hair?
Wow! I have a lot to learn! I have peppermint oil and Jojoba oils…etc…nice post!
I have been using coconut oil can I speed up my hair growth with these oils
This is my 10 year old daughters hair… I love her natural hair.. I use Jane Carter products along with natural products such as aloes and coconut oil … Lately I’ve noticed that her ends are breaking off and I’m not sure why!.. I use the stretching method and haven’t used the blow dryer in 2 months!.. Her ends get extremely dry so I just get a spritz bottle and spray it!.. Can u help give me a regimen , because her hair seems to be dropping instead of growing and it has no chemicals in it!.. Please help!.. Thanks
You can try castor oil for sealing her ends and it may be time for a trim.:)
Hi Dannie! Have you thought about using henna to make her hair stronger? I have used henna only twice in my natural hair journey, but it has made a huge difference in the strength of my hair, as well as its ability to retain moisture. Consider trimming half an inch from her ends, and trying the henna. It’s only $5 a box on eBay. After washing her hair, add a bit of conditioner to her damp hair as a leave in, and then rub some raw shea butter in your hands to soften it, and smooth it through her hair with the conditioner, and put her hair in 4-6 braids to dry. Adding a little shea butter to her hair daily, and keeping it in protective styles like braids and buns will certainly help with moisture retention.
Good luck, Arielle!
Hi Arièlle ,
Thank you so much for the tip!.. I trimmed her ends and sealed it with castor oil and it certainly does look different!.. I’m gonna get the henna and Shea butter and see how that works!!..
Ok thank you!
How are you protecting and sealing? How are you protecting it at night? Wrap her hair for bed or get her satin or silk pillow case. Also, seal the moisture in her hair.
Actually I notice that my hair is different since the chopping because before chopping it used to love mineral oil. After that it acts so werid and dry up as crazy if I put on something chemical. I know it because the first day when I had Mane and Tail conditioner . It is chocked filled of chemical but I tried it anyway, one second of handful cowash on my hair–it was like dry shrunk! I stopped using it. I tried seeing if it was only it or stuffs with chemical. I tried other with chemical at store, I can’t recall. It still shrunk dry and acted crazy! I was like that is it “I know it is chemical that hair hates” so from now on I use natural, my hair become more moisturzing and love it.
Guess what? I am half Indian lol…. I told ma I know why it is acting crazy. Native America used told me the same thing to not use mineral oil but natural.
Everytime natural product I use , claim to be “99% organic” lying and get my hair acting crazy. I will know it and I will stop using it.
Adrienne,
My sister and I are 100% natural. We suffered similar issues and even let our former beautician talk us into trying a keratin blowout and our hair REALLY started falling out. After that my sister, the biologist, began research to create truly 100% natural hair and skin products. Our products use many of the essential oils mentioned in this article. They are all made fresh with no preservatives, petroleums, or chemicals. We have been using them exclusively for the past year and with amazing results. Everyone that has tried it loves it so we have been asked to make it available for sale so that’s what we are doing. The brand is called My Sisters’ Natural. It should be available for purchase in a month. We do have a coming soon placeholder website at http://www.mysistersnatural.com where you can contact us.
Im going to try all these
i have been trying to grow my hair ever since i was young but nothing seem to work,i’m now 29 years old with a scarry hair.its braking , my hair line is gone . Please help.
Are you transitioning, natural, OR relaxed? Did you look at the article about the oils? Castor oil is a good oil too. You can check YouTube and other natural hair sites.
Matlatso,
My sister and I are 100% natural. I had some of the same issues, especially the thinning hairline, although mine was mainly the temples. We even let our former beautician talk us into trying a keratin blowout and our hair started falling out. After that my sister, the biologist, began research to create truly 100% natural hair and skin products. Our products use many of the essential oils mentioned in this article. They are all made fresh with no preservatives, petroleums, or chemicals. We have been using them exclusively for the past year and had amazing results. Everyone that has tried it loves it so we have been asked to make it available for sale so that’s what we are doing.. The brand is called My Sisters’ Natural. It should be available for purchase in a month. We do have a coming soon placeholder website at http://www.mysistersnatural.com where you can contact us.
I can’t wait for your products to be available to the public, I am new to the natural journey and I need some products that will help make this journey a pleasant one.
Connie,
Feel free to contact us at msn@mysistersnatural.com and leave your contact information. We will email you when it’s available to purchase.
Thanks!
Try Qhemet Biologics too! It may save you from being a product junkie like me.
I had natural for all my life until 2 years ago my hair was all the way down my back and after the perm it started to break off badly and i cut it and now it’s super short to me and im starting highschool in 4 months and i wanted to promote my hair growth to 2 inches a month so it will grow at least 4-6 inches to impress me before highschool so will this all actually help???
Good for you and please focus on HHJ VICE LONG HAIR…no use in having WLH (waste length hair) or to your knees if it isn’t healthy and strong.
Hello… I have a big problem.bc my hair was thinning at the top of my head I decided to go natural.. thinkin that the spot would grow back thick like the rest of my head… I only used natual products with DHT blockers… it did help a little, but I still notice it.. I’m so self conconcious that other will notice it tooo.. that I can’t enjoy my natural look.. PLEASE HELP..
Try JBCO perhaps some YouTube videos and your own research too.
I have to girls. One with spongy sandy brown hair, its thin. Her hair seems like it just started getting shorter & shorter. My other girl has even thinner softer curly hair. Her hair is also breaking off. There edges have always been shorter. I clipped there ends & I’ve been using Lanol Luster for yrs. Idk what to do to help there hair grow. HELP ME PLEASE lbs
Black African Soap and Rosemary oil are the best together.
I too, am learning just how great being natural can be for both hair and skin! It’s wonderful being “All Natural”!! :)