By Ms. Pooja Nagdev
Cosmetologist, Aromatherapist and Founder of INATUR
Oh Yes! Monsoons have arrived and humidity does take a toll on our hair making them more limp and dull. Where sticky and humid weather prevents us from doing oil based scalp treatments making hair frizzy, dry and lifeless leading to hair fall. The DIY conditioning home treatments are based on the concept of absorption of adequate ingredients to modify the hair texture and its feel. Among various conditioners protein conditioners are most popular as hair composed mainly of proteins derived from natural ingredients and eggs. During monsoons oil controlling materials such as henna or kaolin can be added to control the sebum production in the scalp which further arrests dandruff.
Modern hair conditioning products usually contains synthetic chemicals, silicones as conditioning agent which are good in improving the conditioning but have a tendency to build up on the scalp. Here are some natural hair conditioning preparations are described below:
Henna Conditioning for All Hair Type
Ingredients
- Henna Leaf powder – 4 tablespoons
- Hibiscus powder – 2 tablespoons
- Methi seed powder – 1 tablespoon
- Brahmi powder – 1 tablespoon
- Water – quantity sufficient to make paste
Method Of Preparation & Use
Make a smooth paste by mixing finely ground herbal ingredients with water (luke warm). Apply the paste on your hair and scalp and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes. Wash hair with fresh or lukewarm water and dry the hair.
Henna is one of the most popular herbs used for its conditioning properties on hair. Hibiscus or jasut is well-known for its growth promoting and antidandruff properties. It also darkens the colour of the hair. Methi seeds powder are cleansing, softening and improves the appearance of dull looking hair.
Protein Conditioner for Dry & Damaged Hair
Ingredients
- Methi seed powder – 4 tablespoons
- Warm water – sufficient to make a paste with methi powder
- Egg albumin – egg white from 1 egg
- Spinach paste – 2 tablespoons
- Lemon juice -1 teaspoon
Method Of Preparation & Use
Stir the methi seed powder in warm water and allow to thicken the water to a shampoo like consistency. Cool and add to it egg albumin and mix well. Add Spinach paste and lemon juice to it. Apply the paste on your hair and scalp for 15 to 30 minutes.
Methi seed powder is traditionally used in hair care mainly for its cleansing and softening properties. Egg and Spinach are a source of protein and strengthen hair.
Deep Conditioning Oils For Dry Hair
- JoJoba Oil -1 tablespoon
- Olive Oil – 1 tablespoon
- Shea Butter – 1 tablespoon
- Amla Powder – 1/2 tablespoon
- Bhringraj – 1/2 tablespoon
- Hibiscus flower – 1/2 tablespoon
- Rosemary Essential Oil – 2ml
Method Of Preparation & Use
Boil Amla powder, Bhringraj and Hibiscus flowers in a mixture of jojoba oil and Olive oil. Let it cool slightly , stain it and add Rosemary essential oil to it .Apply warm oil on hair and scalp for 1 to 2 hours. Wash your hair with a mild foaming hair cleanser.
Jojoba oil is a natural emollient and hair conditioning agent. Olive oil is a general emollient of the hair and scalp. Use this preparation once a week.
Conditioning Lotion For Oily Hair
- Water – enough to boil Mulethi
- Mulethi (Liquorice) – 2 tablespoons
- Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
- Teatree Oil – 10 drops
- Basil oil – 10 drops
Method of Preparation & Use
Boil 2 tablespoon full of Mulethi root powder in water for 10 to 15 minutes, over aq low flame of a gas burner. Cool and filter through double muslin cloth. Mix Mulethi decoction, Lemon juice , Honey and essential oils. Apply on scalp and hair and leave the lotion for 15-30 minutes. Wash the hair with warm water and dry. Use this lotion once a week.
Liquorice Mulethi is claimed to have sebum controlling properties. It in combination with lemon juice (astringent) has good Oil controlling properties on hair and scalp. Honey is a good moisturizer of hair and scalp.
