Grandmother’s Advice: Natural Hair Care

In winter we need to pay more attention to hair care due to low temperatures, wind, and wearing a hat as well as the drying effects of indoor heating.

Some of the tips we heard when we were young have been forgotten in the switch to new and improved products, but they worked for generations and when we go back and try them, we find they still work today.

Did your mother pass along her mother’s admonition to brush your hair 100 strokes a day (gently, not harshly) when you were young? I wonder how our hair would look if we did that each day now. Besides that physical activity, there are several natural hair care treatments that you might like to try.

Hair conditioners and masks

Hair mask with honey and lemon: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with lemon juice (1 lemon) and 1 tablespoon of water. Apply the mixture to your hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash your hair with lukewarm water.

Hair mask with honey and milk or sour cream: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of sour cream or milk. Apply the mixture to your hair and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then wash hair with lukewarm water.

If you want your hair to be soft and silky, I recommend a natural conditioner.

Honey conditioner: Mix 1/2 cup honey with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash your hair with lukewarm water.

Treating problems

The following are natural treatments for hair growth and thickening.

Castor oil treatment: This oil stimulates hair growth and strengthens the hair. It’s recommended to massage your scalp every night with it, for 5 to 10 minutes. Then shampoo and rinse your hair with plenty of water.

Castor oil and olive oil treatment: Use 2 to 3 garlic cloves crushed well, 3 tablespoons honey, a spoon of castor oil, 3 egg yolks, and 5 teaspoons olive oil. Mix all ingredients until you get a homogeneous mixture.

Apply the mask to dry hair and massage the scalp and roots for 5–10 minutes. Cover your head with a warm towel and let the mask sit for an hour. Then, wash your hair with a little moisturizing shampoo and plenty of water. It’s recommended to use the mask once a week, and three times a week in serious cases of hair loss. Link the simple natural treatment with castor oil (see recipe above).

Use the following recipes to fight dandruff and stimulate hair growth

Rosemary rinse: Add 50 g (1 3/4 oz.) of rosemary leaves to 500 g (2 cups) of hot water (boiling). Leave it covered for 30 minutes and strain the leaves. When cool enough to use, apply to the hair as a rinse.

Lotion with olive oil and rosemary oil: Mix 50 ml (3.3 tablespoons or 1/5 cup) of olive oil with 3/4 teaspoon of essential rosemary oil and apply the mixture to your hair. Pay more attention to the ends, as they need more care. After this, tie your hair in a towel (turban-style) and leave it on for an hour. Then wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.