Although rosemary is mainly used to flavor foods such as poultry, sausages, soups and stews, it is also renowned as a hair treatment, able to slow down the hair loss process by stimulating the follicles. In addition, rosemary reduces dandruff and gives relief in case of dry or itchy scalp. Even if your hair doesn't have these problems, rosemary leaves will make it soft and shiny. You can buy rosemary-based hair products ready-made, or you can prepare your own rosemary treatment at home.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Rosemary
Step 1. Rinse some fresh rosemary under running water
Shake the twigs to remove excess water, and place them to dry between two layers of kitchen paper.
Step 2. Put 4-6 twigs together, holding them by the stem upside down
Make a bunch.
Step 3. Tear off the lowest and most stunted leaves with your nails
Leave only the upper leaves, the more pungent ones.
Step 4. Place the rosemary in a paper bag, letting the stems come out on the open side
Wrap the bag around the stems, and tie it with string or a rubber band.
Step 5. Leave the rosemary hanging in a warm, dry place for at least 2 weeks, or until the leaves have completely dried and become crumbly
Step 6. Remove the leaves from the stems
Discard the stems and place the leaves in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container.
Method 2 of 3: Rosemary infusion
Step 1. Make a rosemary tea that will serve as the basis for many types of hair treatments
- Pour about 1 liter of boiled or distilled water into a large non-aluminum saucepan. Bring the water to a boil.
- Pour 1 or 2 large handfuls of rosemary leaves into the boiling water.
- Turn off the gas. Leave the rosemary to infuse for at least 6 hours.
- Pour the infusion into a large dark glass jar. Put the jar in the refrigerator, and add the infusion to the hair treatment according to the procedure.
Method 3 of 3: Hair Treatments
Step 1. Use rosemary tea to make rosemary shampoo
Mix 1/4 cup of tea with 1 cup of castile liquid soap.
- If you have dandruff, add a few drops of camphor right before shampooing.
- If you have oily hair, add some lemon juice. A few drops of lavender essential oil will give the shampoo a calming fragrance.
Step 2. For a refreshing rosemary rinse, add 1/2 cup of rosemary tea to 1/2 cup of hot water
Pour the liquid into your hair immediately after shampooing, and then rinse again with warm water
Step 3. Put 2 or 3 drops of camphor oil in a cup of rosemary tea, and use the mixture as a tonic against dandruff or itchy scalp
- Soak in the cotton wool tonic, and pat your scalp with it.
- Put on a plastic shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse.
