Natural Hair Care Remedies

Most women dream about having beautiful shining hair. They use a wide variety of hair care products like shampoos, conditioners and oils to take good care of their hair. But little do they know that some of the hair care products may have harmful affects on their hair because of the presence of some chemicals in the products. It is due to the indiscriminate use of hair care products that most women today are in search of some hair care remedies to restore natural hair growth.

Similarly, some women are using some hair styling agents that can be damaging to the natural health of the hair. If they want to maintain the natural hair growth it is essential that they stop using such products and use natural hair care products derived from plants and herb extracts.

Nature has given us many herbs that are known to prevent hair loss. There are some herbs that act as natural hair growth stimulants - they improve the blood circulation in the scalp and stimulate the growth of hair follicles. They activate the dermal papilla in the hair follicles and kindle overall scalp metabolism to enhance the natural hair growth cycles.

Experimental studies show that the extracts from grape seeds increase the production of cells in the hair follicle. It has also been observed that the grape extracts affect the hair growth cycles to have more natural growth. Grape seed extracts promote healthy hair growth by defeating the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that stops the hair growth. The agents in grape seeds help in facilitating the follicles to move from telogen (resting) to the anagen (growing) phase at a faster rate.

Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts act as good tonic and one of the most used hair care remedies. The extract helps to increase and maintain peripheral micro-capillary circulation, ultimately improving or maintaining natural hair growth. The hair growth is stimulated through combined effects on proliferation and apoptosis (cell death) of the cells in the hair follicle.

Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) is a natural hair care remedy, which can be used for treating alopecia. It contains aloenin, a potent stimulant which promotes rapid hair growth without any irritation in the scalp.

Sage (Salvia officinalis), also called 'common sage' or 'garden sage' is generally used as hair rinses or skin lotions. It is especially helpful in maintaining sheen of dark curly hair. When blended with rosemary it stimulates hair growth. The constituents that are responsible for its hair growth stimulating effects are tannins, saponins, borneol and camphor.

You can improve the general health of your hair by using natural oil as a hair care accessory. Oils such as coconut oil, rosemary, West Indian bay and chamomile are some of the natural oils that are known to help in hair growth.

Coconut oil is a triglyceride having a high affinity for hair proteins. Because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain, it is able to penetrate the hair shaft. This hair care oil lubricates and gives a smooth feel to dry hair shafts. It also heals the structure of damaged hair and protects it from harmful UVA radiation.

Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is a medicinal herb used for treating various hair ailments. It is also used as a natural hair conditioner, especially for dark hair. It is also used as a treatment for dandruff. Rosemary oil stimulates the growth of hair. The main constituent of this hair care oil is caffeic acid and its derivative rosmarinic acid has antioxidant effects that help in providing shine to hair.

Lavender oil when used as a hair care accessory not only helps in treating lice and fleas in the hair, but also gives a pleasant aroma to your hair. It is also used to treat itchiness and psoriasis in the scalp. Researches have shown that lavender oil may be effective against alopecia areata and may help prevent hair loss.