Essential Oils
Essential oils for black hair care are Mother Nature’s blessings to us. The soul of a plant as they are often referred, are delicate, aromatic liquids extracted from seeds, roots, barks, plants, stems, flowers etc.
Essential oils are known for their strong antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and are used for many healing purposes. Health benefits of essential oils include: reducing the risk of infections, improving blood circulation, aiding with digestion, relieves stress and improves a healthy body and sound mind.
Because of their aromatic nature, they are often used for relaxation. Their beautiful fragrances send vibes to your entire body creating a sense of peace and serenity, aiding in mind clarification. These highly concentrated oils are proven to be very beneficial for black hair care.
Their rich properties improve hair growth, prevent hair loss, stimulate the scalp strengthening hair follicles etc. Essential oils for black hair care include: lavender oil, horsetail plant oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, cedar wood essential oil, lemon grass oil, thyme oil, clary sage oil, tea tree oil and Ylang-Ylang oil.
Just in case you’re wondering why coconut oil and the others weren’t mentioned, here’s why. Not all oils gotten from plants and trees are essential oils. Oils gotten from other plants may be referred to as “carrier oils”.
- Carrier oils are known as base or vegetable oils. They are not as concentrated as essential oils. Carrier oils can be applied directly to the skin. Carrier oils are also used to dilute essential oils and are called carrier oils because they carry the essential oils into your skin. Carrier oils include: coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil , jojoba oil, etc
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR BLACK HAIR CARE
Focusing on black hair, we look at top 10 essential oils for black hair care.
- Lavender Oil
This beautiful oil is distilled from the various species of lavender flowers. It is known for its unique fragrance and color.
Lavender oil has properties that improve blood circulation in the scalp, facilitating hair growth; prevents hair loss. It’s antibacterial properties improve scalp health.
- Mix several drops of lavender oil into three table spoons of any Carrier oil; Olive oil or coconut oil. Apply and massage into your scalp leaving it for 10mins. Wash when time is up.
- Horsetail Plant Oil
Natural hair care can never go wrong with this amazing essential oil. It contains Silica which improves hair growth speed, fights dandruff and strengthens hair follicles. It boosts circulation to your scalp, improving blood flow. It is available in oral tablets and can also be used topically. However you decide to use this essential oil, It is sure to produce results.
- Peppermint Oil
This is actually one of my favorites. The minty fragrance and soothing feeling when applied is alluring. It’s unique cooling feature increases blood circulation to applied areas and promotes hair growth. It increases hair follicles, it deepens hair follicles and over all encourages healthy hair.
- Rosemary Oil
Known also for its unique fragrance, this beautiful oil extracted from the Rosemary plant has the ability to improve cellular generation. If you want your black hair thick and long, this oil is a great choice. It is used to prevent dandruff and dry scalp, it slows graying and it prevents baldness. Here’s to no more dry and itchy scalp.
- Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood essential Oil is your go to if you have been struggling with dry hair. It is thought to balance oil producing glands in the scalp, keeping hair moisturized and reducing hair loss. It’s antibacterial and antifungal properties treats conditions like dandruff or hair loss. Cedarwood extract was found to reduce hair loss in those with alopecia areata. It thickens hair and promotes hair growth.
- Mix several drops of Cedarwood essential Oil with 2 tablespoons carrier oil of your choice. Apply directly into scalp and wash after ten minutes. Repeat this procedure twice a week.
- Lemon Grass Oil
Dandruff is especially common for black hair. Keeping your hair flake free is an important aspect of natural hair care. This is the No 1 essential oil for an effective treatment of dandruff.
- Mix few drops of lemon grass oil into your shampoo and use it daily for an effective treatment of dandruff and be sure to massage it into your scalp.
- Thyme Oil
Thyme is one of the strongest essential oils. It actively stimulates the scalp and prevents hair loss. To use, mix only 2 drops of Thyme oil into a carrier oil and massage into scalp. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash it out. Thyme Oil has also been found helpful in treating the condition, alopecia areata.
- Clary Sage Oil
This oil distilled from the Clary plants is found to be very medicinal. It is currently grown for its essential oil. It contains linalyl acetate that helps hair grow and strengthens hair. We all know and hate the feeling of combing our natural hair, and seeing it’s particles all over the floor. The Clary sage Oil prevents breakage(natural hair enemy). You can decide to use it daily or twice a week. Be sure to mix with any carrier oil available.
- Tea tree Oil
Tea Tree has powerful cleansing antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and when applied topically, it unplugs hair follicles and improves hair growth. It also treats fungal infection.
- Ylang-Ylang oil
Ylang-Ylang Oil is specifically for people with dry scalp. It stimulates sebum production improving hair texture and reducing hair breakage. Ylang-Ylang Oil works better with a hot oil treatment.
- Mix a few drops into warm oil. Massage into scalp and wrap head with a warm towel leaving it to steam for 30minutes before washing it out.
There you have it, ten of the best essential oils for black hair care. Essential oils can be harmful when not carefully used. Always dilute an essential oil with a carrier oil before use.
Natural hair care using essential oils is necessary for a healthy hair. That’s it for this week. As always …
Dedicated To Your Beauty,
Juliette Samuel
Esthetician/Author/Publisher
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