Herbal Hair Tinting

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.

At one time or another, many women find themselves unhappy with their hair color. The fix, they think, is in one of the bottles of dye sitting of the bottles of dye sitting on the drugstore shelf or at the beauty salon. Seldom do they consider (or even realize) that commercial preparations such as these can have a quite damaging affect on their hair.

Examples of the aggressive chemicals that can end up causing lasting damage to hair are bleaches and caustic hair dyes; both will likely make the hair feel rough and look dull over time. A more healthy alternative when altering hair color is trying a vegetable hair tint, such as walnut shell or henna. Since they're mixed with boiling water, not chemicals, they do not change the structure of the hair. Natural tints also add oils that nourish hair.

Using Vegetable Tints
To avoid staining the skin when you use hair tints made from walnut-shell powder or henna, wear gloves and first apply petroleum jelly to your hairline and to your ears.

Allergy test: 24 hours before coloring your hair, mix a small amount of the tint and test it on the inside of your elbow. If your skin is irritated the next day, the dye should not be used.

If your hair has been recently permed or treated with chemical dyes, wait about three weeks before applying a natural tint. Hair treated with chemicals will react differently to natural tints than will untreated hair.

Do not use henna if you have blond or gray hair - unless you want shocking red results!

Application:
To apply henna to brown hair, add boiling water to the tint in a non-metallic bowl; let it cool slightly and apply to damp, not wet, hair with a dye brush, available in beauty-supply stores. Pile hair on top of your head and cover with a plastic cap; then wrap a towel around it. This keeps the tint warm, allowing the color to better adhere to the hair strands. After one to two hours, thoroughly rinse your hair; then, shampoo and condition as needed.

Henna adds strength and shine
Henna not only gives hair a deep, bright red tint, but strengthens it, coating the hair and tightening the cuticle, the exterior layer of the hair shaft that protects the inner layers. The result is a rich, healthy shine. However, henna and other natural tints are only temporary; they last 6-8 months and gradually fade because they don't penetrate the hair shaft (as chemical colorants do). Although your hair must be re-colored more often with natural tints, what you sacrifice in "permanence" is gained in damage prevention.

Natural lecithin for beautiful hair
Enrich vegetable hair tints by adding an egg yoke, which contains lecithin, a hair-softening emollient. This adds protein, which helps to smooth the hair's cuticle and boost shine.

Vegetable oils prevent split ends
Before a treatment with henna or a walnut-shell tint, rub a bit of olive oil or jojoba oil into your palms and apply it to the ends of your hair to discourage split ends, especially if your hair tends to be dry. These oils also nourish the scalp and smooth out the cuticle of each individual hair, making it easier to comb.

Highlights from Henna

Henna powder, any color (4 oz. for short hair, 6 oz. for medium-length hair or 8 oz. for long hair)
3 cups boiling water (or coffee, for use on gray or hard-to-color hair)
1 egg yolk
2 tsp. olive oil

Choose the amount of henna powder recommended for your hair length. Pour enough of the boiling water (or coffee) over the powder to make a fairly thick paste. Stir it well. Let cool for 10 minutes, and then add the egg yolk and olive oil; stir to blend. Follow the application directions (above). Rinse your head directly under the tap, not in a shower. Rinsing henna out can be difficult, so take care to do so thoroughly.

Reviving Brown Hair

Walnut-shell powder
3 cups boiling water
1 tbsp. olive or avocado oil
1 tsp. lemon juice

Walnut shells give all shades of brown hair a warm, bright tint. Use the same amounts as directed above for various hair lengths. Walnut-shell powder is available in health-food stores, or you can grind small pieces of dried walnut shells in a coffee grinder. Make a paste as above and let it sit for 10 minutes; add the oil and lemon juice. Follow the applications directions (above).

Rinse for Blond Hair

2 cups water
5 tbsp. chamomile flowers
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Boil the water and add the chamomile flowers. Remove from heat and let it steep until cool. Add the lemon juice, and then strain. Wash and condition your hair as usual and apply the rinse evenly. Use often for a greater lightening effect.

Confidentiality Statement: (for anyone who does not respect copyright and/or is confused regarding this issue) The information, data and schematics embodied in the document are confidential and proprietary, being exclusively owned by Ellen J. Lord (aka Purpleflame or Firefly). This document is being supplied on understanding that it and its contents shall not be used, reproduced, or disclosed to others except as specifically permitted with the prior written consent of Ellen J. Lord. The recipient of this document, by its retention and use, agrees to protect the same from loss, theft, or unauthorized use.

Sources:
All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D