How To Use Essential Oils For Dry Hair Cae

Using essential oils for dry hair care offers a natural option to improve the condition of your hair. You also need to look at the underlying cause of the dryness. Are you using a harsh shampoo or exposing your hair to too much heat or other harsh conditions? Do you have a health condition affecting your hair? Addressing all the factors will give you the best results.

Essential Oils For Dry Hair

Aromatherapy For Dummies recommends the following essential oils for dry hair care:

• Carrot seed
• Cedarwood
• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Palmarosa
• Peppermint
• Sandalwood
• Thyme (linalol type)
• Vetivert

The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness states that appropriate essential oils are geranium, lavender, palmarosa, rosemary, rosewood, and sandalwood.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy lists the following oils for dry hair care:

• Carrot seed
• Frankincense
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Palmarosa
• Rosemary
• Sandalwood

The book suggests this stimulating blend:

• 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops geranium essential oil
• 3 drops frankencense essential oil

Mix the ingredients together. Add the blend to 3.5 ounces (100 ml) of natural, unscented shampoo. (For an 8-ounce bottle of shampoo, double this blend.)

Dry Hair Shampoo Blends

For a simple aromatherapy shampoo, Healing With Aromatherapy suggests adding the following to an 8-ounce bottle of unscented nondetergent shampoo:

• 8 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 5 drops neroli essential oil
• 1/2 teaspoon grapeseed oil 

You can also experiment with this dry hair aromatherapy shampoo by using any of the listed essential oils to see which ones work best for you. Use 8 to 15 drops of essential oil(s) in an an 8-ounce bottle of shampoo.

Aromatherapy, A Holistic Guide to Natural Healing With Essential Oils says you can use up to 80 drops of essential oil in an 8-ounce bottle of shampoo. For dry hair care, the book suggests cedarwood, lavender, or sandalwood. The book also suggests this hot oil treatment before shampooing:

• 4 teaspoons jojoba oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops clary sage essential oil
• 2 drops cedarwood or sandalwood essential oil

1. Blend the oils. Massage 1 to 2 teaspoons of the blend into your hair and scalp.
2. Soak a hand towel in water and wring it out.
3. Heat the towel in a microwave for 30 to 50 seconds.
4. Wrap hair in the towel. After the towel cools, reheat it and repeat 2 to 3 times.
5. Wait at least one hour before you shampoo.

Dry Hair Rescue Mask

For dry, damaged hair, use this rescue mask:

• 2 tablespoons light olive oil
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 to 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3 to 4 drops peppermint essential oil

1. Place the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
2. Shampoo your hair. 
3. Massage the mask into your scalp and hair.
4. Place a shower cap on your head or use a towel to wrap your head.
5. Relax for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Rinse off the mask using warm water.

Source: EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs

Dry Hair Treatments With Essential Oils

For a dry hair treatment, massage 1 teaspoon of the following blend into your hair and scalp and leave it on for at least several hours. To leave the blend on overnight, wrap your head in a towel before going to bed.

• 10 drops ginger essential oil
  
• 10 drops rosewood essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

Source: 500 Formulas For Aromatherapy

Another hair treatment option is to spend two to three minutes massaging the following blend into your hair and scalp. Let the treatment stay on for 60 to 90 minutes, and then wash your hair:

• 6 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 2 drops sandalwood or geranium essential oil
• 2 drops patchouli essential oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil

Source: Essential Oils Desk Reference

Photo Credit: Morguefile