Although most aspects of hair, its colour, rate of growth, thickness and curliness are hereditary, a wide range of herbal ingredients has been used through the ages to improve and enhance what nature provided.

Advertising agents have decided we all fall into one of four hair types: dry, greasy, normal or "problem" hair, but herbal trichologists state that all hair is normal for that person and problems should be dealt with by looking holistically at a person: that is, looking at his or her lifestyle. Too many spicy foods, fats and sugars can be responsible for greasy hair and synthetic shampoos can create dry hair. There is also concern about the effects that medicated shampoos can have on the hair and scalp if used routinely. Stress, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, too much sun, chemical hair treatments, rinses and dyes all cause hair problems too.

Herbs used in Hair Care

To condition dry hair	Burdock root, comfrey, elderflowers, marsh mallow, parsley, sage, stinging nettle.
To condition greasy hair	Calendula, horsetail, lemon juice, lemon balm, lavender, mint, rosemary, southernwood, witch hazel and yarrow.
To prevent dandruff	Burdock root, chamomile, garlic and onion bulbs (powerful but unpleasantly scented), goosegrass, parsley, rosemary, southernwood, stinging nettle and thyme.
To soothe scalp irritation	Catmint (leaves and flowering tops), chamomile, comfrey.
To provide a hair tonic (giving body and lustre)	Calendula, goosegrass, horsetail, like flowers, nasturtium, parsley, rosemary, sage, southernwood, stinging nettles and watercress
To dispel lice	An infusion of quassia chips, poke root, or juniper berries with a tablespoon of cider vinegar. Apply at two week intervals, three times.