DIY Herbal Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

How to harness the nourishing power of plants and the cleansing power of apple cider vinegar to strengthen and improve your hair.

I should warn you. This herbal apple cider vinegar hair rinse was a gateway into all things herbalism and foraging for me. It is beyond easy to make and is SO effective that my eyes opened wide to the possibility of creating all of my own plant magic. I now have 3+ jars of tinctures, oxymels, infusions & more on my counter any given day.

I first made this recipe when I was postpartum with Aurora, my first baby. I was experiencing the shocking hair loss that’s typical during the fourth trimester. It’s a weird blend of awkward tiny baby hairs at your forehead and fistfuls of hair falling out during every wash. I needed help.

A cocktail of herbs, some raw apple cider vinegar, and a spray bottle later and I haven’t looked back. Since using this herbal apple cider vinegar hair rinse, my hair:

• is stripped of minerals from my hard water

• has more volume

• stays fresh and cleaner looking between washes (& getting washed less than before)

• is stronger and healthier with fewer split ends

• grows faster

Herbalism, like a lot of new skills, is mostly intimidating because it feels like you have to learn a new language. Infusion, tincture, oxymel, decoction, serum, elixir, etc. Although in my experience all of these herbal preparations require a lot more time than they do skill. Five minutes to mix a few ingredients in a jar. A couple of minutes each week to shake or stir or turn. 6 weeks of collecting dust on your counter.

This herbal apple cider hair rinse is no different. You need:

• fresh or dried organic herbs

• raw apple cider vinegar

• a pint jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid

• fine mesh strainer

• spray bottle

My favorite combination of herbs to use is rosemary, lavender, and nettle leaf. I chose these for their unique benefits, providing me with an overall soothing, strengthening, and growth-promoting herbal potion. Here’s a list of some herbs & benefits:

• Promotes growth: Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint (also antibacterial & antifungal)

• Healing/Soothing for Scalp: Calendula, Chamomile (also lightens hair),

• Nutritive/Strengthening: Nettle (also promotes growth), Horsetail, Oatstraw, Parsley

• Anti-inflammatory: Lavender

• Moisturizing: Comfrey

Fresh or dried herbs work for this recipe. To purchase high-quality dried herbs, visit Mountain Rose Herbs.

Step-by-Step process:

1. Combine about 2-4 tablespoons of herbs (2 tablespoons if dried, 4 if fresh) with 2 cups of raw apple cider vinegar. Seal in a jar, using a piece of parchment paper between the jar and lid to prevent rusting.

2. Store in a dark, room-temperature location for 4-6 weeks. Visit frequently to shake or turn the jar. This agitates the herbs and helps release more of their botanical goodness.

3. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the vinegar and herb mixture after the infusion period. Compost the herbs.

4. To use the herbal apple cider vinegar hair rinse, add 2 ounces to a spray bottle and dilute with water. For most hair types you want to add 4 times the amount of vinegar, so that would be 8 ounces of water. You can make it stronger or weaker depending on your preferences by using less or more water.

5. Spray onto roots of hair while wet after shampooing or in between washes. Let sit for 30-90 seconds and rinse out as normal, if desired (it can be left in without affecting hair feel or texture).

This also works really well as a detangling spray! Aurora, my daughter, is almost 3 years old and throws a fit whenever she sees the comb. I use this to help detangle and it makes the whole process much more enjoyable for both of us! Just avoid the eyes!

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