Hair is really amazing. When it is outside of your scalp, it is technically dead, but it can still be "healthy" or damaged. These days, we apply a lot of heat and a lot of products to our hair in an attempt to shape it and give it a particular look, all without really considering what we're doing. Beautiful hair, in my opinion, is healthy hair, and healthy hair comes from ingredients you can find in your own kitchen, not from products you buy off store shelves.
Why Honey (and the other stuff)?
Honey can help with dry or damaged hair. Honey draws moisture because it is a natural humectant. In addition, it is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that feed the hair follicles, which house the living portion of hair, promoting hair growth. However, it also needs a medium to help spread it; otherwise, all you'll have is a sticky mess. For this reason, the recipes call for additional natural ingredients that assist in restoring the health and luster of dry hair, starting at the scalp.
1. Just Honey
This recipe contains just honey and water, nothing extra added or needed!
You will need…
- 1/4 cup of organic raw honey
- Fresh water
Directions
Mix ¼ cup of organic raw honey with just enough fresh water to thin it
out to the point where you can spread it around your hair (add it
tablespoon by tablespoon.)
Obviously this depends on how much hair you have-you can up the amount of honey if you need to. When you’re ready, apply as you would shampoo to damp hair and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
2. Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is added here as it leaves hair with lovely shine and acts a natural conditioner.
You will need…
- 1/4 cup of organic raw honey
- 10 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
Directions
Mix together honey and ACV. Apply as you would shampoo to damp hair, and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse out with warm water.
3. Honey and Olive Oil
Olive oil can create a big difference in moisture after just a few uses, and promotes a healthy scalp and hair roots. It also helps smooth and coat dry and damaged hair shafts.
You will need…
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
Directions
Mix together ½ cup of honey and ¼ cup of olive oil, warming the mixture slightly if you need to. Apply to hair as needed.
4. Honey and Coconut Oil
Coconut oil, like olive oil, helps moisturize hair and hair roots. It seems to add a little bit more shine (in my opinion) and is a little lighter as well. It’s packed full of nutrients that make it an automatic go to ingredient in hair treatments.
You will need….
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 3 tablespoons of warmed coconut oil
Directions
Combine coconut oil and honey and blend thoroughly. Work into damp hair
as you would shampoo. Let sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm
water.
Much of what you see in stores is just different ratios of basically the same stuff with different fragrances. With honey , you know what you’re getting every time, and personally, I love the results. I like to think of my hair as fairly healthy overall, but with the dry winter months coming up, a little extra moisture and conditioning is always wanted.
Tips for Using Honey in Your Hair
-Stick to raw organic honey. If you have to warm it a little bit that’s fine, but the ultra-pasteurized clear stuff you buy at the supermarket really doesn’t have many benefits.-Try adding some honey to your regular shampoo or conditioner if you don’t feel like making up a separate treatment.
-Avoid harsh products and heat treatment (like straightening your hair every day.) Natural is beautiful!
-Be aware of the type of hair that you have. Applying olive oil and honey to limp, thin, hair that is prone to getting oily will probably just make it greasier and heavier.
-There’s no need to use these treatments every day. Once or twice a week should be sufficient.
-Be patient. Applying honey to damaged and dry hair is not going restore it to perfect condition right away.
