hibiscus flower for hair care

Hibiscus is my favorite flower. I love the shape and bright intense pigment of the petals. There are over a hundred species of hibiscus that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world! Aside from its beautiful appearance and having a nice scent, did you know hibiscus has tons of benefits for the hair too? It is sometimes called “The flower for hair care.”

In the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, hibiscus, especially white hibiscus and red hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis“>, is considered to have medicinal properties. The roots are used to make various concoctions believed to cure ailments such as cough, hair loss or hair greying. They are also used for multiple hair treatments.

Benefits of Hibiscus for Hair

  • prevents hair loss
  • prevents premature graying
  • lessens frizz
  • promotes hair growth
  • gives hair a boost of shine and bounce
  • helps balance the pH of the scalp
  • reduces redness, scalping and itching of the scalp
  • works like an astringent to reduce the oiliness of hair
  • discourages split ends 

The leaves and flowers of the hibiscus are used in treatments to make natural packs, masks, and oil to prevent and control hair problems. It provides an ideal protection against chemical and natural pollutants.

Note for blondes & brunettes:

Be cautious using hibiscus, as it can potentially stain, darken or add red tones to the hair. Your patch test will help determine whether this will be an issue for your hair color.

These 6 DIY at home recipes for treatment, tonics and oils have been proven effective in treating dandruff, preventing hair loss, and promoting hair growth.

Remember to do a patch test first to make sure you do not have an allergy before using Hibiscus.

1. Hibiscus Strengthening Pack

This treatment can help strengthen your weak, dull, brittle, and dry hair: 

  • 3 ounces of hibiscus petal powder
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp yogurt
  • 6 tbsp aloe vera gel
  • Coconut milk 

Mix the listed items to prepare a fine, consistent paste. Apply this pack liberally on your hair, and cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water. Use it once or twice a week to make it lustrous.

2. Hibiscus Dandruff Treatment

This can help with dandruff and also soothes the itchy and scaly head with a cooling effect.  

  • 1 cup coconut oil
  • 3-5 curry leaves
  • 3-5 basil leaves
  • 1 hibiscus flower
  • 1 gooseberry

Crush the leaves, hibiscus flower and gooseberry and extract the juices. Add the extracted juice to the coconut oil and bring it to a boil. Let the solution cool down. Apply and massage your scalp with it. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

3. Hibiscus Damage Restoration Tonic

This can be used on its own or also mixed with any other recipe for additional benefits.

  • Hibiscus flowers & Hibiscus leaves
  • Water

Take hibiscus flowers and leaves in a 1:6 ratio and soak them in water overnight and squeeze the flowers, to prepare cold infusion. Or keep it in the water for 12 hours and then boil it to make hot infusion. Use the strained water to wash, rinse your hair directly. Or simply dab a cotton ball in the prepared solution and use it like a tonic to treat your hair. 

4. Hibiscus Hot Oil Treatment

This recipe can help prevent hair fall (shedding”>, improves blood circulation to the scalp and encourages hair growth. It also can make the hair soft, smooth and bouncy, and makes the hair shinier.

  • 5-10 hibiscus flowers
  • 3-5 hibiscus leaves
  • 3 basil leaves
  • ½ cup coconut oil or your preferred oil like sesame oil.

Crush the flowers and leaves of hibiscus and boil it with the oil. Once the fumes start coming out of it, add basil leaves. Let the oil cool down. Strain and use it on your scalp. Gently massage and rinse off with lukewarm water.

5. DIY Cleansing Conditioner

  • 10 hibiscus flowers
  • Water

Blend hibiscus flowers with some water to make a fine paste. Smear this paste on the scalp and leave it for 15 minutes. Cover it with a shower cap. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Use a mild shampoo the next day.

6. Hibiscus Clarifying Shampoo

  • 5-10 hibiscus flowers or leaves
  • 2 drops of almond or olive oil
  • Water enough to make a consistent paste 

Blend the flowers or leaves in water. Make a fine paste. Add drops of oil. Use this on your hair. Wash off after 15 minutes with lukewarm water.

 

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