As the efficacy of natural medicines in general is being more widely recognized, the true value essential oils are also being recognized. The have a broad range of medicinal actions, and many are applicable to therapeutic skin and hair care. Here we’ll look the premier oils for supporting stimulating new hair growth, and building a personal formula for a therapeutic daily oil treatment.
Building a Super-Effective Hair Growth Stimulating Recipe
The oils used for hair growth are also those used for skin care in general — the health of the follicles is of course closely related to the health of the scalp and skin. Essential oils for your most effective, custom recipe can be selected from one of three general categories. These are: stimulating (may signal new hair to grow), nutritive (offers important nutrients), and balancing (helps over-oily or over-dry conditions become normal). The most deeply therapeutic means of using essential oils for hair growth is to make an oil treatment formula — a blend of essential oils and carrier oils that is massaged into the scalp and left for some period of time (rather than simply just adding to your conditioner or shampoo).
Choosing Essential Oils for Scalp Stimulation
Rosemary and Sage essential oils, as well as “low-tech” infusions from these herbs, have a VERY long history in hair care. Women have been using these herbs for centuries to promote full, lustrous heads of hair. Though their use by women does not preclude their use by men. The are certainly “gender neutral”. Each of these essential oils contains unique molecules that are considered “regenerative”, stimulating the growth of new cells. In terms of growing hair, this activity is thought to activate the follicles to work a little faster at their job. Note that the oils of choice here are “common” Sage, and a special kind of Rosemary called “verbenone”. The “cineol” type will not have the same effect, so be careful in your choices. Use these at a maximum of 2% of your blend (that’s total, not each!).
Add Some Nutrient Providing Oils
Chock full of growth supporting nutrients Carrot Root, and the new kid on the block Sea Buckthorn Berry essential oils are amazing at supporting follicle health. They each have a diverse collection of antioxidants and growth enhancing vitamins and vitamin-like compounds (the only difference between a vitamin and a vitamin-like compound is a scientific designation — early on, the “vitamins” are the ones you would die without having — though you wouldn’t do so well without having the other either!). You almost can’t have too much of these oils — use at a 2% concentration.
Bringing Balance to Those Follicles
Next, the balancing essential oils — balancing oils should make up a part of everyone’s blend. Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is the premier balancing oil for skin, scalp and hair care, and has many helpful properties — it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative all at the same time. It’s the perfect balancing essential oil if you do not have a specific “scalp condition”. If one needs to balance the scalp’s natural oils, Myrtle is an excellent choice, also with antibacterial and regenerative properties. Myrtle can reduce excessive oil production, and can help a flaky, itchy scalp. For women, Clary Sage can be especially balancing, particularly where regular hormone production is the source of hair loss or slow hair growth. Proper estrogen metabolism on the cellular level is critical for beautiful hair, and older women in particular may really benefit from one-half of one percent Clary Sage included in their personal recipes.
How Are These Oils Applied? In Come the Carrier Oils!
Carrier oils are also called “fixed” oils, as unlike the essential oils, they do not readily evaporate. These are seed or nut oils with their own therapeutic value that “carry” the essential oils to your scalp and follicles. Using the essential oils themselves would be FAR to strong, and would greatly irritate the scalp, and have the opposite of the desired effect on your hair! Choose one or more of these for your foundation: Jojoba, Coconut, Rosehip Seed, or Evening Primrose. Jojoba is highly regarded for moisturizing and bringing a wonderful luster. Coconut delivers very important nutrients to the scalp, and is called for all by itself by some natural health practitioners to combat hair loss. Rosehip seed has well-known regenerative properties for the skin, and should have these same effects for the hair follicles: returning them to a more youthful state. Finally, Evening Primrose is full of essential fats, known to combat inflammation, a potential cause of hair loss for many. All these can be mixed and matched as you see fit.
Putting Your Blend Together
Often folks are a little intimidated by blending. Really, it’s no big deal — far easier than baking virtually anything in your kitchen (and if you’re a raw food fan, it’s about THAT easy!). First, determine your base mixture. Equal parts of the carrier oils you choose is a fine way to go. If you’re using virgin Coconut, Rosehip Seed and Evening Primrose, just use equal parts of each. Making one-ounce of oil treatment? Just estimate filling a 1oz dropper bottle about 1/3rd full with each oil. Then add the essential oils. Each 1 percent essential oil is equal to 8 drops per ounce of total mixture. Using 1 percent Rosemary? Add 8 drops to your blend. Two percent Sea Buckthorn? Use 16 drops. Making 4 ounces instead of 1? Multiply all these numbers times four! Still unsure? Here’s some clear recipes…
High End Botanical Extract Hair Growth Stimulating Formulas
Here’s two great recipes. For men, to make 4 ounces (which should last 2 to 4 months): To a base of equal parts Rosehip Seed, Hempseed and Coconut oils, add 32 drops Sage (Dalmatian or Common), 64 drops Carrot Root (also called Helio-Carrot), and 32 drops Lavender. For women, to the same base, add 32 drops Rosemary Verbenone, 64 drops Sea Buckthorn, 32 drops Lavender, and 32 drops Myrtle. Feel free to adjust as you see fit — using your intuition is an excellent means of customizing your recipe.
Gently invert or “spin” the mixture until you feel it’s blended. The best absorption occurs right after the scalp has been immersed in warm water and lightly dried. One dropper-full distributed evenly over the scalp is often enough for complete coverage. Massage in, and leave as long as you like. Overnight is great, just make sure to cover your pillows! And there you have it, your very own, custom, high-end botanical extract formula for stimulating the growth of bountiful, healthy hair.
The author is a consultant for Ananda Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Supplies. Find more resources are available on aromatherapy supplies and essential oil formulas here.
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