In addition to soothing the skin and healing burns, aloe works equally well for cleansing and conditioning the hair. Aloe vera shampoo made with the appropriate ingredients penetrates deeply into the scalp's pores and revitalizes healthy tissue. Then, the plant's natural amino acids work to cleanse the scalp and bring impurities to the surface, where they're rinsed away. Aloe deep-cleans the hair and scalp, and leaves the hair truly clean, shiny and smooth. If you're searching for a treatment for dry hair, look no further than the humble aloe vera plant.
Aloe vera also makes a fantastic conditioner for all hair types. It keeps normal hair healthy and repairs dry, damaged hair. It works so well for this purpose because it has the ability to penetrate the hair shaft. The primary protein in the hair, Keratin, is made of amino acids, carbon, oxygen and trace amounts of other elements. Aloe's chemical make-up is similar and it rejuvenates the hair by treating it with its own nutrients. This improves elasticity and prevents breaking. Aloe vera shampoo, when used regularly, also strengthens the outer layer of the hair, known as the cuticle, and gives the hair a shiny, reflective, more uniform appearance. At the same time, aloe's antiseptic properties also heal the scalp and relieve dandruff flakes.
Image Credit: Flickr.com/rikajenzhomekitchen
Choosing an Aloe vera Shampoo
Numerous brands of shampoo exist with aloe vera listed in the ingredients, but you'll have to be choosy to find something that gives you the true benefits of the plant. I recommend making your own, so you can be sure it contains only pure, natural, soothing ingredients. If this doesn't appeal to you, check your local health food store or well-stocked drug store for a natural brand you can live with. Make sure it contains only natural ingredients. Aloe vera should be first on the ingredients list and the product should contain minimal fillers and chemicals. Jason natural cosmetics makes aloe vera shampoos that contain 84 percent pure aloe vera. Look for something similar.
You can also order suitable products online, or if all else fails, use pure aloe vera gel to wash your hair. It works well, but it won't behave like your normal shampoo. It cleanses gently without producing suds. Make sure to work it in thoroughly before rinsing for the best results.
Image Credit: Flickr.com/grumblinda
How to Make Aloe Vera Shampoo
If you're so inclined, making your own aloe vera shampoo yields the best results, plus its much less expensive and better for your hair to use your own homemade version. Don't think that just because a hair care product is made at home that it's ineffective. In fact, when it comes to aloe vera, the gel is most beneficial when its fresh. If you don't have a large aloe vera plant to harvest the gel from, you can always buy organic aloe gel at natural health stores to use in this recipe.
Ingredients:
* 2 cups distilled water
* 2 ounces dried herbs (see suggestions below)
* 6 ounces liquid castile soap
* 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
* ? teaspoon jojoba oil (omit for oily hair)
* 40-50 drops essential oils (see suggestions below)
Directions:
1. Bring the distilled water to a boil, and then add the herbs. Cover, reduce heat to low and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat, strain the spent herbs from the liquid and discard.
3. Add the castile soap to the herbal water slowly, mixing gently as you pour.
4. Add the aloe vera gel, jojoba and essential oils. Mix well.
5. Pour the aloe vera shampoo into a plastic squeeze bottle.
6. Use as needed, and shake gently before each use. If you have dry hair, shampoo no more than three times per week.
Suggested Herbs
Use any combination of the following herbs in the above aloe vera shampoo recipe, as long as you don't exceed around two ounces.
* Dry hair - nettle, burdock, rosemary or calendula
* Oily hair - yarrow, lavender, lemon balm or mint
* Blond hair - calendula or chamomile
* Dark hair - sage or comfrey
* Dandruff - rosemary, thyme or any of the herbs for dry hair
Suggested Essential Oils
Use any combination of the following essential oils for making aloe vera shampoo, but do not exceed around 50 drops in total.
* Normal hair - lavender, clary sage or chamomile
* Oily hair - lemon, tea tree or ylang-ylang
* Dry hair - rosemary, myrrh or peppermint
* Dandruff - tea tree, patchouli or lavender
Treating Dry Hair with Aloe
In addition to using aloe vera shampoo, if you have extremely dry or damaged hair, you may also want to use an aloe conditioner or simply massage aloe vera gel into your hair, allow it to remain for 30 minutes and rinse clean. Do this following a shampoo for the best results. This treatment works especially well if your hair has been damaged by using chemicals.
Remember, aloe's results won't last if you continue your bad hair habits. Loose the blow dryer and switch to all natural hair dye, which won't damage the hair and cause dryness. If you're already to this point, however, aloe vera shampoos and conditioners will help repair your locks and restore them to their former beauty.
Using Fresh Aloe Gel for Shampoo
If you want to make your own aloe vera shampoos, I highly recommend harvesting the fresh gel from an aloe plant. The video below will show you step-by-step how to proceed. If this isn't possible for you, don't feel too bad - just go out and get some organic gel from your local natural foods store.
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