Beautiful hair takes work, and while advancements in the beauty industry continues to thrive, using what the earth bears naturally for ingredients is becoming a daily practice. I love learning about the newest hot ingredient to get healthy hair and the benefits of the malva leaf is no disappointment. Blue Malva’s botanical name is Malva Sylvestiris and part of the Malvaceae family. It is also known as high mallow, common mallow, blue mallow, or hollyhock flower.
Benefits of blue malva
The flowers of the blue malva contain a blue pigment that was once used as a natural blue rinse for graying hair before chemicals were commonly used. Blue malva, like all mallows, relieves inflammation and has soothing qualities. Mostly known for countering irritation and inflammation, it is often used for lowering stomach acids and even relieving gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion or ulcers.
Blue malva is also a natural expectorant that helps to loosen and expel phlegm as well as congestion in the lungs. Despite these medicinal remedies, this fragrant flower finds its ways into conditioners, perfumes, and even shampoos for its cooling properties.
Benefits of blue malva for hair
Not just for soothing stomachs and sore throats, blue malva’s anti-inflammatory properties are soothing for those with scalp conditions. With its natural cooling properties and mucilage, blue malva is excellent as an emollient for dry skin and sun. It is also mildly astringent and helps with psoriasis, eczema, boils, abscesses, and wounds. The flower can be steeped into a tea and great for giving gray hair a more silver look. This plant—whether used as an extract or steeped in a tea—has several positive attributes to one’s scalp and hair.
Here are some products below that use the power of blue malva.
- Shikai Color Reflect Shampoo Platinum reflects the natural or color-treated platinum tones in blonde hair.
- AVEDA by Aveda: Blue Malva Color Shampoo helps to bring silvery brightness to gray hair.
DIY Blue malva detangling hair rinse
- 1 tsp. blue malva herb
- 1 tsp. Irish moss
- 1 tsp. hibiscus powder
- 1 cup hot water
Bring water to a boil and turn off heat before adding herbs. Cover and allow to steep for about 15 to 20 min. Remove herbs by straining through a fine sieve or cheesecloth and allow to cool. Pour entire mixture over head after rinsing out your conditioner and do not rinse out. Style as usual.
You can follow the exact instructions but use only the blue malva herbs to create a soothing hair rinse.
