Andrea (Wales Uk) on 05/27/2014

My hair is brown and it blended in beautifully. But my friend used it on her black hair and it worked in her as well.

My Sister who is fair did the blonde thing and also put lemon juice on her hair when it started to fade and that kept the blond shade for ages. She's going grey as well!! :-D CHEEK!

Love Andrea xxxx

By Beth Asaff: Most recipes for homemade herbal hair dye are easy to make, and there are several benefits to making your own hair products. Although most herbal dyes won't produce as brilliant a color as traditional, store-bought hair dye will, this is a great option for women who are concerned about the safety of traditional hair dyes.

Recipes for Herbal Hair Dyes

When you're ready to try making your own hair dye, it helps to have some tried and true recipes. The following are popular.

Chamomile and Calendula Rinse for Blonds

A weekly rinse with chamomile and calendula can brighten dull blond locks and stop any extra dark streaks caused by UV exposure.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh or dried chamomile flowers
• 1/2 cup fresh or dried calendula
• 1 quart of water

Method

1. Bring the water to a boil on the stove in a non-aluminum pan.
2. Add the chamomile and calendula and remove the water from the stove.
3. Allow the herbs to steep for 30 minutes, then strain out the liquid.
4. Allow the infused water to cool completely. You can store this in a refrigerated jar for future use for up to one week.
5. Wash your hair like you normally would, then towel dry.
6. Pour or spray the water onto your hair. Leave it on for 15 - 30 minutes before rinsing, or skip rinsing and style as usual.

You can try other yellow flowered herbs as well, such as saffron or turmeric. If you have very long hair, use a full cup of flowers in your mixture.

Sage and Rosemary Rinse for Brunettes

Sage and rosemary can significantly darken hair when used several times a month. They can also bring out natural highlights and some red tones in the hair.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh or dried sage
• 1-1/2 cups fresh or dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Enough water to cover

Method

1. Place the herbs in a large, non-aluminum pan and cover with water.
2. Bring the water to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer.
3. Simmer for approximately six hours, checking frequently to ensure the water does not boil away. Add more water as needed.
4. Strain and allow the mixture to cool.
5. Add the apple cider vinegar and mix well.
6. After shampooing, rinse the hair in the sage and rosemary rinse and style as usual.

Walnut Rinse for Brunettes

Walnut hulls are an extremely effective way to darken hair (and everything else). Always wear gloves when working with walnut hulls.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons crushed black walnut hulls
• 3 cups of water
• Tea ball or muslin tea bag

Method

1. Place the crushed black walnut hulls in the tea ball or bag and steep in 3 cups of boiling water overnight.
2. Shampoo your hair as usual and rinse hair 10 to 15 times in the walnut mixture.
3. Style as usual.

Black Tea Rinse to Darken Any Shade

Black tea will give a subtle and temporary darkening to your hair, no matter what it's starting color.

Ingredients

• 3 heaping tablespoons of loose black tea leaves
• 3 cups boiling water

Method

• Steep the black tea leaves in the boiling water for approximately 30 minutes.
• Shampoo your hair as usual and pour the black tea mixture over your hair 15 to 20 times.
• Leave the final rinse of black tea on your hair for 10 minutes, then rinse with clean, warm water.
• Style as usual.

Henna Powder for Red Hair

Henna powder can be used for brunettes and for people with red hair. Henna is a very in depth topic; research it more before attempting to make your own mix.

Henna can add light or dark highlights to both red and brown hair. Try this method for a subtle, red/gold color.

Ingredients

• 200 grams of henna powder
• 2 cups lemon juice
• Saran wrap

Method

1. Mix together the henna and lemon juice in a non-metal bowl.

Allow the mixture to sit for four to six hours until it thickness slightly.

1. Apply the mixture to your hair and comb through evenly.
2. Pile your hair on your head and wrap in saran wrap.
3. Allow it to sit undisturbed for two to three hours, then rinse out.
<


---

EC: Thanks, Andrea!  I'm sure many of our readers will find these useful.
REPLY   4      

---

Turmeric for Natural Hair Coloring

Abigail (Yorkshire) on 04/30/2014


Thumbs up for turmeric! This recipe with ginger and mustard and curry looks good to me as well.

I have medium brown hair, I used to use turmeric to give a gentle golden hue to my brown hair. It's hard to see the difference when I'm not in the sun, but it really gives my hair more gold in the sun. I love it and am thinking of dying it again for summer.

People on the net are always saying how the turmeric washes out so fast... Mine doesn't, the coppery colour from dying it last year is still in the tips of my hair. I should probably attribute this to me using a "no-poo method" where I only use water unless it needs a deep clean when I use baking soda and a vinegar rinse.


REPLY   3      

---

Seeking Natural Hair Color for Gray Hair

Dana (Tyler,tx Usa) on 08/26/2013


I want to color my hair, but I'm allergic to ammonia in permanent colors, I have used color rinses on my permed acnd had an allergic reaction later, I'm an African American woman and I don't wear weave, is there help for me out there? Can someone help me I want to color my greys, plzz help

REPLY   2      

---

B Complex for Grey Hair

Leah (Philadelphia, Pa) on 04/25/2013


Hi all, I've read on other online discussion boards that premature grey can be reversed with vitamin b12 and other b vitamins. One woman in her 50s reports taking b complex for other health issues and after a few months noticing her original color coming back in. Also Dr Myhill notes early grey is an indication of b12 deficiency and the resulting anemia. Hope this helps. Nothing better than your hair being colored from within!

REPLY   5      

---

Amla Berry Hair Oil

Serena (Munich, Germany) on 03/08/2013


Hello everyone, I have been having problems with premature grey hair for many years and read all the posts with my utmost interest.... few things helped a little, few did nothing.

Recently I bought an amla berry indian hair oil and I am super happy with it. My normally curly and dry hair is smooth and shiny and the best thing about it- it coats the greys with the a darker shade- the greys are still visible but not as much so I am going to continue with my routine:

massage the amla oil onto dry hair
put warm hat on and leave it for the night
shampoo next morning

I can really recommand this oil. It also helps prevent dry skin and dandruff

all the best S.


REPLY   5      

---

Repairing a Reaction to Hair Dye

Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 01/28/2013


I've been trying to repair my hair that has been falling out. I used to use the L'Oreal 10 minute dye. I am not blaming L'Oreal, I think it happened from protein powder raising my DHT in the hair follicles. My scalp is sensitive too, though. I have been applying unscented castor oil to the scalp and sleeping with a thin shower cap - the dollar store kind. You can do this once a week. It should repair your scalp and your hair should grow back (hopefully). Hope this helps.

REPLY   2      

---

Having Reaction to Hair Dye

Ariel (Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States) on 01/16/2012


Hi, I have a question about allergy to hair dyes. I had recently dyed my hair from black to light brown with the hair dye by Loreal Preference.

I read all the directions and did everything right. Then after I rinsed the excess dye out, my scalp felt so sensitive and sore. I put the conditioner in my hair and then rinsed it out, but the soreness of my scalp was still there. I felt my scalp and it feels really warm like a slight burning sensation. So I've gently washed my scalp with a gentle shampoo the next day and then rinsed it out. But my scalp still is sore. I don't know what to do. The hair dye that I had used had the ingredient (PPD) in it. I researched this ingredient and it has been linked to symptoms of soreness and tenderness of the scalp when used in hair dye. Obviously I must be having symptoms of the PPD ingridient but I don't know how to stop the soreness. The soreness and tenderness of my scalp is giving me a headache and it's impossible for me to sleep. How do I stop the soreness of my scalp? Please help!!


REPLY   1      

---

Henna and Indigo for Natural Hair Coloring

Amber (Portland, Oregon) on 03/17/2009


Many people (including myself) use natural plants to color thier hair, such as Henna (for Orange/Red color, and adds brilliant shine to hair), Henna with Indigo (to achieve brunette to black colors), and Cassia; a plant that can be used to add shine or add a bit of golden color to very pale blond or white hair. There are other plants and spices that can enhance tone as well. (for more on this, read on)

About the results: I am a dark blonde who used to lighten my hair. I have colored my hair all types of ways, and most recently I decided to 'go dark'. Well, I can tell you that nothing colors and strengthens my hair like the henna. And I now use the henna + indigo mix to achieve a very exotic dark color, that fully saturates (dyes used to wash out easily), shines, and is actually healthy for my hair! The shine you can achieve with the use of henna is head-turning and like no other. Henna binds with your hair, so it is much different than a dye. You can also use chemical lighteners or dyes over it, or apply it over chemically dyed/lightened hair, and as long as you are using PURE henna, you will get nice results. The horror stories you may have heard only relate to people using 'compound' hennas, again, like you would buy in the store, mixed with other ingredients.

How it basically works: Henna can be combined with an acid (lemon juice, apple cider vinegar) and left to sit for 12 hours to release the dye. It can then be added to color the hair (usually for 2 hours) or it can be diluted and/or applied for a lesser duration, to add just a touch of tint and gloss to the hair. Indigo can be mixed with water and mixed into the Henna, or applied seperately after a Henna treatment. Cassia can be applied alone, or added to the aforementioned mixes. These plants should be purchased in a pure form (not in mixes from the beauty supply).

Where you can find out more: You can find a wealth of information at this website: www.hennaforhair.com about how to color your hair with these plants, and a very interesting history. There are also personal mixes, techniques, forums where you can ask questions about your specific hair type/goals, and order the products. You can also order small samples very inexpensively so that you can experiment on 'brush harvested' hair. I can't say enough great things about the women who run this website. If you are curious, and check it out, they offer all the info and help you need to become confident about trying this.

I have also since read on many natural health and hair sites that Honey can be used as a natural lightener. So if you are a blonde, perhaps that will work for you, as well as lemon juice. One could also use the cassia to get the brilliant shine that henna gives, without turning into a redhead! If I ever grow my natural hair out again, this is what I will do!

One last thing I want to say, is that it feels very good to get off of the chemical-dye train, to find natural plant dyes that achieve colors and results so beauteous that nature could only provide. It may seem time-consuming at first, but after learning and becoming experienced with the use of these dyes (and it doesn't take long!) it has become a nice beauty ritual; it feels more natural and personal...and has become something I look forward to doing, taking time to relax while the mix does it's magic, and the hair is always more beautiful each time! It has been about 2 years that I have been using these plant dyes, and I am glad to be able to share this info on earth clinic, so that perhaps others can start using this too.


REPLY   7      

---

Jackie (Grand Rapids, Minnesota) on 01/28/2008


since introduced to this site, i have eliminated chemicals wherever possible. first, i stopped all anti-aging products on face and got rid of fluoride toothpaste. i cleanse with bkg soda and use jaboba oil or vegetable gycerine with drop of essential oil for moisturizer sometimes castor oil around the eyes.use minimal amt of non animal tested pressed powder blush and eyeliner. i indeed look younger and soft and my eyesight has improved. i think the antiaging products might be absorbed into the eye itself or into the blood vessels. any thoughts on this? my skin is much better.

next i found this website, black hair media hair forum. gives recipes for coloring hair using herbs. i wish i had known about this from teenage years. i invented my own recipe that works very well and is very easy to do. i have chin length white hair with darker grey at the neckline.

1 tsp ground ginger, i tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp curry powder and a pinch of tumeric. (be careful with tumeric, hair can turn clown yellow if you use too much. all of these ingredients are spices that can be bought in any grocery store. i put the spices in a bowl, pour one cup of boiling water over them, cover tightly and let cool. next strain saving the liquid. pour over washed and dried hair about 5-6 times. i use a basin in the sink or tub to catch the mixture then pour back into the cup and repeat 5-6 times. don't rinse,squeeze out excess water cover with shower cap and leave on about 30 minutes. rinse with cool water lastly i add a dash of vinegar to cup of cool water and pour over and leave in. acts like a conditioner and keeps the color in better. the mixture doesn't stain my skin,sink or hands. there is some dripping under the shower cap so have a towel handy. this gives me a natural light golden blonde hair color, and my darker hair blends in nicely.it washes out with each shampoo so has to be done each time. the gray is comletely covered using this method, even better than hair dye which often won't cover the temples or the sides. the spices and the vinegar condition it and idon't have to use a conditioner.it's recommended to a patch test with herbs and spices first.


REPLY   4      

---