I originally got the idea of a homemade hair tonic from Natural Herbal Living Magazine, in their Nettles issue. The Nettle’s issue provides a wealth of information about how great nettles is for your hair (among other things).
Nettles have been used to treat oily hair, oily scalp and hair loss (source). When incorporating nettles into a homemade hair tonic, it may promote hair growth, and some suggest that it is a natural remedy for dandruff.
This homemade hair tonic is simple to put together (as easy as brewing tea), and it can be quickly added into your weekly shower routine.
There are two different methods on how to apply this homemade hair tonic, and I will list both below. You can try both and see what works best for you!
Table of Contents
Easy Homemade Hair Tonic
- 1 cup dried stinging nettle leaves
- 2 cups water
Place stinging nettle leaves into a large mason jar. Bring water to a boil, and pour boiling water over stinging nettle leaves. Place lid on top, and allow to sit and infuse for 6 hours. Strain the liquid, and compost the leaves. You can leave the nettles-infused water in the fridge for up to 6 months.
When ready to use:
- Soak a cotton ball with the nettle infusion, and gently rub the cotton ball into the scalp, after you’ve washed your hair. Allow the hair to air dry. No additional rinsing is necessary.
- Or, after washing your hair in the shower, pour 1/2 cup of the nettle infusion on the scalp, and massage into scalp for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse and condition as normal.
I personally find it more convenient to apply in the shower (and it gives me an excuse to find an extra 5 minutes for myself), but it may be more effective if you apply it without rinsing the infusion.
Homemade Hair Tonic
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried stinging nettle leaves
- 2 cups water
Instructions
-
Place stinging nettle leaves into a large mason jar. Bring water to a boil, and pour boiling water over stinging nettle leaves. Place lid on top, and allow to sit and infuse for 6 hours. Strain the liquid, and compost the leaves. You can leave the nettles-infused water in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Want other naturally nourishing hair recipes? Here are some of my favorite tried and true recipes:
Your method uses infusion. Do you know if a nettle decoction (boiling leaves and reducing) would also work? And have you ever tried also adding aloe, or agar agar, or any other ingredients? Thanks in advance.
I wonder if this will work as well with fresh nettle leaves? I’ll have to try it as there is no shortage of stinging nettles near us!
I am sure it would!
Stinging nettles are good for a lot of natural healing but I’ve never used them. And we have a ton around our homestead. I mostly just hate them. Maybe I should put them to good use. 🙂 I would caution wearing gloves if you pick them yourself. They’re horrible plants.
If you could turn a plant you hate into something that makes your hair look fantastic, I would call that a win 🙂
I haven’t personally handled nettles, but have heard that about them. Thank you for the warning!
It’s neat that this can be made so easily at home. I love using natural products, especially when they can be homemade. Thanks for the information!
I’ve heard of nettles but never realized what they did or how to use them. What a simple recipe.