Dry Hair: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Dry hair is characterized by its brittleness, frizziness, and lack of moisture, leading to breakage and split ends.

It occurs due to factors such as over-shampooing, harsh chemical treatments, cold weather, and poor hair care routines. Dry hair can cause scalp irritation, itchiness, and even infections, negatively impacting overall health.

To alleviate dry hair, consider using herbal remedies like aloe vera, coconut oil, and olive oil, which can be massaged into the scalp and left on overnight. Additionally, medicinal preparations like rosemary essential oil and chamomile tea can help hydrate and soothe dry hair.

However, it's essential to note that some herbs may cause allergic reactions or interact with medications, so consult a healthcare professional before using them.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of dry hair, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of dry hair?

The main causes of dry hair are excessive heat styling, which damages the hair cuticle and strips it of its natural oils, with temperatures above 150°C causing the most damage.

Over-washing and using hot water, which can strip the hair of its natural moisture barrier, is also a contributing factor. Chemical treatments, such as hair dye, perms, and relaxers, can cause damage to the hair shaft and lead to dryness. Genetics play a role, with people with naturally curly or wavy hair more prone to dryness due to their hair's natural tendency to lose moisture.

Additionally, environmental factors such as humidity, wind, and sun exposure can also contribute to dry hair, especially in individuals with compromised hair barriers.

• Overwashing: Overwashing hair strips it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage.
• Heat Styling: Excessive use of heat styling tools like flat irons and curling irons damages hair cuticles, causing dryness and brittleness.
• Dry Climate: Living in a dry climate with low humidity causes hair to lose moisture, leading to dryness and frizz.
• Genetics: Hair texture can be influenced by genetics, with some people naturally having drier hair due to their hair's structure and porosity.
• Chemical Treatments: Using chemical treatments like hair dye, perms, and relaxers can damage hair cuticles and lead to dryness and breakage.
• Poor Diet: A diet lacking essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc can lead to dry, damaged hair.
• Aging: As people age, their hair's natural oil production decreases, leading to dryness and brittleness.
• Hard Water: Using hard water to wash hair can strip it of its natural oils and cause dryness due to the high mineral content.
• Environmental Pollution: Exposure to environmental pollution like air pollution and smoke can damage hair and lead to dryness.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for dry hair?

The main medicinal herbs used for dry hair are Aloe barbadensis, Cassia auriculata, Urtica dioica, Avena sativa, Mentha x piperita, Cymbopogon citratus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Centella asiatica, Aloe vera, Ginkgo biloba.

Aloe barbadensis soothes and moisturizes dry hair due to its high water content and glycoproteins that help retain moisture. Cassia auriculata's saponins and flavonoids help restore the scalp's natural pH balance, reducing dryness. Urtica dioica's omega-3 fatty acids nourish the scalp, while Avena sativa's avenanthramides reduce inflammation and soothe dryness.

Meanwhile, Mentha x piperita's menthol and Rosmarinus officinalis's camphor stimulate blood flow, Cymbopogon citratus's citral and Centella asiatica's triterpenoids promote hair growth, Aloe vera's vitamin E and Ginkgo biloba's flavonoids further protect and nourish dry hair.

• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with dry hair due to its moisturizing properties, as it contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that hydrate and nourish the hair, reducing dryness and brittleness.
• Cassia auriculata: Cassia auriculata helps with dry hair due to its emollient properties, as its extracts help to lock in moisture, reduce dryness, and improve the overall health and appearance of dry and damaged hair.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica helps with dry hair due to its antioxidant properties, as it contains compounds that protect the hair from environmental stressors, reducing damage and dryness, and promoting healthy hair growth.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa helps with dry hair due to its soothing properties, as it contains avenanthramides that help to calm and soothe the scalp, reducing irritation and inflammation that can contribute to dryness and dandruff.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita helps with dry hair due to its antifungal properties, as its extracts help to control fungal infections that can cause dryness, itchiness, and flakiness on the scalp and hair.
• Cymbopogon citratus: Cymbopogon citratus helps with dry hair due to its antiseptic properties, as its extracts help to prevent infection and promote a healthy scalp environment, reducing dryness and promoting hair growth.
• Rosmarinus officinalis: Rosmarinus officinalis helps with dry hair due to its antioxidant properties, as it contains compounds that help to protect the hair from environmental stressors, reducing damage and dryness, and promoting healthy hair growth.
• Centella asiatica: Centella asiatica helps with dry hair due to its emollient properties, as its extracts help to lock in moisture, reduce dryness, and improve the overall health and appearance of dry and damaged hair.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with dry hair due to its moisturizing properties, as it contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that hydrate and nourish the hair, reducing dryness and brittleness.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not specifically help with dry hair, as its primary benefits are related to improving circulation and reducing inflammation, but it may help to promote healthy hair growth by improving overall scalp health.

What are the main herbal preparations used for dry hair?

The main herbal preparations used for dry hair are Decoction, Tincture, Cream mask, Essential Oil, Capsule, Shampoo, Tea, Balm, Gel, Salve.

Decoction of herbs like Burdock and Nettle provides moisture and strengthens hair follicles due to their high content of antioxidants and vitamins. Tincture of Rosemary and Sage improves blood circulation and reduces dandruff by their anti-inflammatory properties. Cream masks containing herbs like Coconut Oil and Shea Butter nourish and moisturize dry hair, while Essential Oil of Lavender and Chamomile soothe and calm dry scalp.

These herbal preparations can be formulated into Capsules, Shampoos, Teas, Balms, Gels, and Salves to provide a range of treatments for dry hair.

• Decoction: A decoction of plants like Camellia sinensis, which is rich in antioxidants, helps to moisturize and soften dry hair by increasing blood flow to the scalp and providing essential nutrients.
• Tincture: A tincture of herbs like Rosmarinus officinalis contains antioxidants and essential oils that help to nourish and protect dry hair, reducing frizz and promoting healthy hair growth.
• Cream mask: A cream mask containing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil provides intense moisture to dry hair, repairing and restoring its natural lipid balance and leaving it soft and silky.
• Essential Oil: Essential oils from plants like Argania spinosa, rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, can be used to nourish and moisturize dry hair when applied as a hair treatment, promoting healthy hair growth and reducing frizz.
• Capsule: Capsules containing supplements like biotin and vitamin E can help to promote healthy hair growth and strengthen dry hair from within, improving its texture and reducing breakage.
• Shampoo: A shampoo containing ingredients like saponins from plants like Saponaria officinalis gently cleanses dry hair without stripping it of its natural oils, leaving it clean and moisturized.
• Tea: A tea made from herbs like Urtica dioica, rich in antioxidants and minerals, can be used as a hair rinse to nourish and moisturize dry hair, promoting healthy hair growth and reducing frizz.
• Balm: A balm containing ingredients like beeswax and coconut oil helps to lock in moisture and protect dry hair from environmental stressors, leaving it soft and manageable.
• Gel: A gel made from plants like Aloe barbadensis contains antioxidants and moisturizing properties that help to soothe and calm dry hair, reducing frizz and adding shine.
• Salve: A salve containing ingredients like argan oil and keratin helps to repair and restore dry hair, promoting healthy hair growth and reducing breakage.