Frizzy Hair: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Frizzy hair is characterized by unruly, unmanageable locks with a rough, disheveled texture, often caused by humidity, heat styling, and genetics.

This condition can lead to scalp irritation, itchiness, and dandruff, which may further exacerbate the issue. To alleviate frizzy hair, individuals can turn to herbal remedies. Aloe vera, chamomile, and rosemary extracts have been shown to soothe and calm the scalp, while neem oil and coconut oil can help to nourish and moisturize the hair.

However, when using medicinal herbs, it's essential to conduct a patch test and consult with a healthcare professional to avoid any adverse reactions or interactions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of frizzy 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 frizzy hair?

The main causes of frizzy hair are excessive humidity, which disrupts the cuticle's compact layer allowing moisture to penetrate and causing it to swell, leading to frizz.

High temperatures, particularly above 85°F (29°C), accelerate the evaporation of moisture from the hair shaft, causing it to lose its natural moisture balance. Use of heat styling tools, such as flat irons and curling irons, can damage the hair's cuticle layer, making it prone to frizz. Presence of minerals such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium in hard water can also cause frizz by disrupting the hair's cuticle layer.

Furthermore, genetics play a significant role in determining an individual's hair texture, with people having tightly coiled hair being more prone to frizz due to the hair's natural tendency to curl and lift.

• Humidity: Humidity in the air causes water molecules to penetrate the hair shaft, leading to swelling and a loss of moisture balance, resulting in frizzy hair.
• Damaged Cuticle: Damaged cuticle layer of the hair shaft allows moisture to penetrate and escape, causing the hair to swell and become frizzy.
• Protein Imbalance: An imbalance of protein and moisture in the hair shaft can cause the hair to become weak, brittle, and prone to frizz.
• Hair Porosity: Poor hair porosity, either too high or too low, can cause the hair to absorb and retain too much moisture, leading to frizz.
• Chemical Processing: Chemical processing, such as dyeing or perming, can damage the hair shaft and alter its structure, leading to frizzy hair.
• Heat Styling: Excessive heat styling can damage the hair shaft and cause it to lose its natural moisture, leading to frizzy hair.
• Hard Water: Hard water can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause it to become dry and prone to frizz.
• Sulfates: Sulfates in shampoos can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause it to become dry and prone to frizz.
• Towel-Drying: Roughly towel-drying hair can cause friction and lead to frizz, especially when hair is still damp.
• Split Ends: Split ends can cause the hair to fray and become prone to frizz, especially when hair is not regularly trimmed.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for frizzy hair?

The main medicinal herbs used for frizzy hair are Cymbopogon citratus, Aloe barbadensis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Aloe vera, Urtica dioica, Cassia auriculata, Melaleuca alternifolia, Equisetum arvense, Avena sativa, and Sesamum indicum.

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemongrass, contains citral, a compound that helps to regulate the pH balance of the scalp, reducing frizz and promoting smooth hair. Aloe barbadensis and Aloe vera are known for their moisturizing properties, which help to hydrate the hair and scalp, reducing frizz and flyaways. Urtica dioica, also known as nettle, and Cassia auriculata have anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe an irritated scalp, reducing frizz and promoting healthy hair growth.

The essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, Equisetum arvense, and Sesamum indicum have antifungal and antibacterial properties that help to control scalp infections, reducing frizz and promoting a healthy scalp, while Avena sativa is used to treat dry scalp conditions and promote hair growth.

• Cymbopogon citratus: Cymbopogon citratus helps to reduce frizzy hair due to its antifungal properties which prevent scalp infections and promote a healthy scalp environment.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps to reduce frizzy hair by hydrating and moisturizing the hair and scalp, while also soothing and calming any irritation or inflammation that can contribute to frizz.
• Rosmarinus officinalis: Rosmarinus officinalis helps to reduce frizzy hair due to its antioxidant properties, which protect the hair from damage caused by free radicals and promote healthy hair growth.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps to reduce frizzy hair by hydrating and moisturizing the hair and scalp, while also soothing and calming any irritation or inflammation that can contribute to frizz.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica helps to reduce frizzy hair due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, which prevent scalp infections and promote a healthy scalp environment.
• Cassia auriculata: Cassia auriculata helps to reduce frizzy hair due to its antioxidant properties, which protect the hair from damage caused by free radicals and promote healthy hair growth.
• Melaleuca alternifolia: Melaleuca alternifolia helps to reduce frizzy hair due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, which prevent scalp infections and promote a healthy scalp environment.
• Equisetum arvense: Equisetum arvense helps to reduce frizzy hair by soothing and calming any irritation or inflammation that can contribute to frizz, while also promoting healthy hair growth.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa helps to reduce frizzy hair due to its antioxidant properties, which protect the hair from damage caused by free radicals and promote healthy hair growth.
• Sesamum indicum: Sesamum indicum helps to reduce frizzy hair due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, which prevent scalp infections and promote a healthy scalp environment.

What are the main herbal preparations used for frizzy hair?

The main herbal preparations used for frizzy hair are Decoction, Tincture, Cream, Shampoo, Capsule, Oil, Gel, Balm, Tea, Mist.

Decoction of Amla and Bhringaraj helps to nourish and strengthen hair, reducing frizz by promoting elasticity. Tincture of Saw Palmetto is used to block DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair loss and frizz. Cream and Shampoo of Coconut and Argan oil moisturize the scalp, reducing frizz by locking in moisture.

Capsules of Biotin and Vitamin E support hair growth, while Oil and Gel of Aloe Vera and Keratin help to smooth and tame frizzy hair, and Balm of Beeswax protects and adds shine to the hair.

• Decoction: A decoction of Achillea millefolium can help with frizzy hair by providing a rich source of antioxidants that help to protect the hair from damage caused by free radicals, thus reducing frizz and improving hair texture.
• Tincture: A tincture of Lavandula angustifolia can help with frizzy hair by providing a concentrated extract of antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help to moisturize and protect the hair from damage, thereby reducing frizz and adding shine.
• Cream: A cream made from the extract of Centella asiatica can help with frizzy hair by providing a rich source of triterpenoid saponins that help to repair and strengthen the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and improving hair texture.
• Shampoo: A shampoo containing the extract of Rosmarinus officinalis can help with frizzy hair by providing a cleansing agent that helps to remove dirt and oil from the hair, while also providing antioxidants that help to protect the hair from damage and reduce frizz.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the extract of Biotin can help with frizzy hair by providing a concentrated source of biotin, a B-complex vitamin that is essential for hair growth and maintenance, thereby reducing frizz and improving hair texture.
• Oil: An oil made from the extract of Argania spinosa can help with frizzy hair by providing a rich source of essential fatty acids that help to moisturize and protect the hair from damage, thereby reducing frizz and adding shine.
• Gel: A gel made from the extract of Aloe barbadensis can help with frizzy hair by providing a rich source of aloin and aloe-emodin that help to soothe and calm the hair, reducing frizz and adding shine.
• Balm: A balm made from the extract of Urtica dioica can help with frizzy hair by providing a rich source of antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help to moisturize and protect the hair from damage, thereby reducing frizz and improving hair texture.
• Tea: A tea made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis can help with frizzy hair by providing a rich source of antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help to moisturize and protect the hair from damage, thereby reducing frizz and adding shine.
• Mist: A mist made from the extract of Hydrangea macrophylla can help with frizzy hair by providing a fine spray of antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help to moisturize and protect the hair from damage, thereby reducing frizz and adding shine.