DIY: Healthy hair and scalp pre-shampoo treatment

I was recently writing up an assignment for an Aromatherapy refresher course I am doing, I used my recipe for pre-shampoo hair treatment as an example in the assessment.  I thought maybe other people may be interested in it too. (the recipe, not my assignment!)

I use this treatment for thirty minutes to an hour or so before I wash my hair to help keep my scalp nice and clean, free from dandruff, and healthy, and to add some shine and natural oils back to my hair to help prevent it becoming dry and brittle.  It is very easy to mix up, the ingredients are easy to locate in stores and the treatment oil can be stored in a dark cool cupboard (or a fridge if you want a more solid consistency) for up to a year after making it, and it really works to improve hair condition!

Coconut oil is readily available in supermarkets in the health food aisle, and in health food stores. When  stored below 24 degrees Celsius the oil solidifies and becomes a fine hard waxy consistency, at temperatures higher than that it becomes a fine almost transparent oil.

Rosemary oil can be found in health food stores, and online from aromatherapy suppliers. If you wish to purchase essential oils try Galaxy Aromatherapy, as she is a qualified aromatherapist and can also provide information about the oils she sells. '

To make the hair treatment oil, I use 1 cup of liquid (above 24 degrees Celsius) coconut oil and add to it 5 drops of Rosemary essential oil, and 1 drop of Vitamin E oil.

I stir the essential oil and Vitamin E into the coconut oil and then pour it into a sterilised jar and keep it in the fridge until I need it. I like to use it when it is a little firm rather than completely liquid, which is why I store it in the fridge. 

It is applied to the scalp, massaged in well, and then combed through to the ends of the hair with a wide toothed comb.

Hair is tied back (if long) and the treatment left in for thirty minutes to an hour before being shampooed out.

Rosemary oil helps to alleviate dandruff, and stimulates hair follicles to assist in strong healthy hair growth, the Vitamin E oil helps to improve the texture and overall health of the hair strands, and the coconut oil is a good treatment against moisture loss in hair.

Rosemary Leaves

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 NOTE: The information in this blog does not constitute the practice of medicine, and does not replace the advice of your health care provider.

DIY: creme base for moisturisers

Making your own moisturisers means you know what has gone in them! There are no mystery synthetic harsh chemicals and you will find you can make really effective bases for lotions and moisturisers economically!

Ingredients for a creme or lotion base

[the ratio is 1 part of beeswax, to 2 parts of water, to 4 parts of oil]

10 grams beeswax
40 ml sweet almond oil
20 ml water

Method

• In a double saucepan, slowly melt the beeswax and almond oil until combined 
• While you are doing this, heat the water in another pan until it reaches around 36 to 37 degrees celcius
• remove both pans from heat
• gradually add the heated water to the oil and wax,  while beating the mixture to combine the three ingredients
• Keep beating until a cream consistency is achieved
• Allow to cool

Once the base creme/lotion has cooled you can add your essential oils or herbal infusions to create your moisturisers!

Place the moisturiser (or the creme base) into dark coloured sterilised glass containers and store in a cool dark spot!


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 NOTE: The information in this blog does not constitute the practice of medicine, and does not replace the advice of your health care provider.