Best Natural Hair Care Tips You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Hair care doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy the most expensive products. In fact, focusing on what goes in your body instead of on it might give you healthier-looking hair.

If you’ve tried everything to grow long, luscious locks without success, then it might be time to take a different approach.

By supporting blood health and circulation, you’ll be sending nutrients straight to the scalp where healthy hair begins. Read on to learn more natural hair care tips you can start today.

Best Natural Hair Care Tips

Beautiful hair doesn’t happen overnight. It takes lots of care and dedication, from a proper hair care routine to styling it. Put aside some time every morning and night to show your locks some love. 

Here are some healthy hair care rules to abide by:

Wash your hair in cool water

It feels relaxing when the hot water lands on your tired skin, but hot water can also dry out your hair, scalp, and skin.

Slowly switch to cold water when you wash your hair. It closes hair cuticles and makes your hair smooth, light, and shiny.

Another key step to add to your hair care routine is washing with a good quality shampoo, preferably organic. 

Shampoo your hair twice if you have oily skin

If you have an oily scalp, shampoo your hair twice to make sure all gunk is removed from your hair follicles. Blocked hair follicles can cause scalp acne, hair loss, and other hair and scalp conditions.

However, if you have a dry scalp, note that you shouldn’t wash your hair twice daily as it may cause your hair to dry out. If you don’t want to shampoo twice, try a clarifying shampoo.

This can help clarify your scalp especially if you have build-up or oily scalp. Just make sure you use it sparingly so your scalp doesn’t get too dry.

Additionally, you can use a shampoo with salicylic acid for scalp acne. Again, only use sparingly to avoid dry scalp.

Use conditioner and consider hair oil

After washing, an important part of your hair care routine will be to condition the ends of your hair to make it smooth and easier for styling.

If you style your hair every day with hot tools, then you’ll need to consider hair oil.

Most hair oils contain heat protectants, so your hair doesn’t dry out when using hair straighteners or curlers. 

Use a hair mask once a week

The salt from sweat can dry out your hair, especially when you work out often. That’s when you will probably feel a drier and stickier hair texture.

To get that clean, shiny look, you’ll need to use a deep nourishing hair mask at least once a week. Leave it on for 15 minutes to work its magic. 

Use hair care products that contain sea salt

Sea salt spray is useful when you have thinner hair, as it doesn’t weigh hair down. It is also useful when you are short on time.

Spray it on dry hair, scrunch the bottom part, curl random strands all over, flip your hair and shake it out, and you’re good to go. 

Make sure to cleanse thoroughly when using sea salt sprays as they can dry out the hair if left too long.

Increase blood flow to the scalp

Hair oil might not be enough to get that luscious texture. You will add a scalp massage to your hair care routine for better blood circulation.

This prevents scalp dryness and dandruff too. During your shower, apply shampoo as usual, and massage your scalp gently to promote blood circulation. Doing this every day helps in reducing hair loss. 

Add nuts to your diet

What you consume should also be an important part of your hair care routine. When you’re having your breakfast or a salad for lunch, add in some nuts and flaxseed oil, as they are rich in omega-3 oils, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium that your hair needs.

Nuts like walnuts, macadamias, almonds, and cashews are the ones you should have in your pantry. They are great as a mid-day snack. You can also get many of these nutrients in your diet by taking fish oil.

These additions can nourish your hair roots and scalp to prevent flaking and dandruff. Your hair won’t break as much, leaving you with healthier, luscious strands. 

Hair Care Tips, According To TCM

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), getting healthy-looking hair relies on a good flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, as they nourish the scalp. A Deficiency or Stagnation of Qi and Blood will interrupt the flow, causing hair to break and become dull in texture. 

Blood and Qi Deficiency are usually caused by poor diet and lack of nutrients, whereas Blood and Qi Stagnation are usually caused by stress and a hormone imbalance. 

Also, the condition of your hair is a direct reflection of the condition of your Blood, Liver, and Kidneys. When there is an abundant flow of Kidney Essence (Jing) and Liver Blood, your hair will look thick, dark, healthy, and glossy.

A Deficiency of these will turn your hair lifeless and brittle, leading to premature hair greying and thinning. According to Huang Di Nei Jing (The Emperor’s Inner Canon), hair greying and thinning should start only from the late 30s to 40s for both men and women. If it occurs prematurely, it may be a sign to keep an eye on your health.

Best Herbal remedies for hair care

Deficiencies in the Blood, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, and Stomach, Liver Qi Depression, and Heat and Dampness Stagnation will affect your hair texture. It is best to get yourself checked with a physician if you notice such changes. 

Your physician will usually recommend these herbs to be added to your diet: 

• Black Sesame Seeds (Hei Zi Ma) 
• Eclipta (Mo Han Lian) 
• Fleeceflower Root (He Shou Wu)  
• Cnidium (Chuan Xiong) 
• Chinese Angelica (Dang Gui)  
• Mulberry Leaf (Sang Bai Pi) 
• Black Soybean (Hei Dou)  
• Psoralea Fruit (Bu Gu Zhi) 
• Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shou Di Huang)  
• Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) 
• Privet Seeds (Nv Zhen Zi)  
• Dodder Seeds (Tu Si Zi) 
• Cordyceps (Dong Cong Xia Cao)  
• Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Yu Zhu) 
• Lingzhi (Reishi mushroom)
• Japanese Teasel Root (Xu Duan) 

As usual, remember not to take any of these on your own, but through the advice of a physician. 

Acupuncture Treatment For Hair Care

Acupuncture increases blood circulation to the scalp. This stimulates hair follicle cells, delivers essential nutrients to the scalp, and encourages hair growth. Physicians and acupuncturists often offer these treatments together with herbal formulas. 

Some acupuncture points that help stimulate hair follicle cells are located on the head. If you want to give Chinese medicine a try but have a bit of hesitation about having needles inserted into your head, you can try using just Chinese herbal formulas first.

While acupuncture can improve the flow of Qi and Blood in the scalp and help hair regrow, Chinese herbs can nourish Qi and Blood to stop more hair from falling out or breaking. 

Overall, leading a healthy lifestyle is very important. When you are eating healthy, sleeping enough, and staying well hydrated, you will naturally see healthier hair and skin — all essential elements of a good hair care routine.