Natural hair dictionary

Hair-tionary

Ingredients	Description
Alfalfa	Rich in vitamins and minerals – good source of zinc, which is vital to healthy hair and scalp. Alfalfa adds silica to the hair, helping prevent hair loss.
Aloe Vera Gel	Conditions the hair by adding moisture and shine. It is also known for aiding in hair growth for people with hair loss.
Almond Oil	Moisturizes and softens hair. Softens dead skin on the scalp, making the dead skin easier to remove. This light oil is perfect for stressed fine hair and does not weigh down the hair.
Amla Oil	The oil comes from the Indian gooseberry and is very nourishing for the hair and scalp. It is an antioxidant and astringent, which is said to stimulate scalp blood flow and prevent scalp infection, as well as hair loss and premature greying. It adds shine and can also be used as a moisture seal to retain moisture, keeping strands flexible and resistant to breakage.
Apple Cider Vinegar	Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can be diluted with water and used as a rinse to clarify the hair and scalp, removing build up and preventing dandruff. ACV also corrects pH balance of the hair, which closes the hairs cuticles, making it smooth with less frizz and giving you ultimate shine. 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 cups of water can be used for an ACV rinse.
Avocado Oil	Avocado oil is taken from the pulp of the avocado and makes a rich additive to hair and skin care products. It strengthens and fortifies hair, taking it from brittle, to soft and shiny. The healthy fats in avocado cause it to be more penetrating than almond, olive, safflower, and soy oils.
Babassu Oil	Babassu oil is a type of yellowish coloured palm oil from the meat of Brazil nuts. It is solid at room temperature and has a long shelf life. Babassu oil melts easily into the skin and is often used in lotions, lip balms and hair care products.
Banana	Provides softening, elasticity, prevents split ends, strength and shine. Retains moisture, corrects dryness. Great for scalp and strands.
Brahmi	Antioxidant, allows nourishment to reach hair roots; controls dandruff and soothes the scalp; can make hair denser and darker.
BTMS (Behentrimonium Methosulfate)	This ingredient made from rapeseed oil is a superior detangler, causing easy comb out when in your hair. Behentrimonium Methosulfate is not a drying salt. Unlike sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a negatively charged (anionic) surfactant that foams and lathers, BTMS is a positively charged (cationic) surfactant that emulsifies and conditions.
Burdock Root	Improves hair strength, shine and body, and helps reverse scalp conditions such as dandruff, and combats hair loss; rich in phytosterols and fatty acids which maintain a healthy scalp and promote natural hair growth.
Brazilian Nut Oil	Contains linoleic acid, vitamins A and E which protect the hair and scalp. It also contains protein that prevents hair breakage.
Capsicum	Cayenne chili pepper known to strongly stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. Test for skin sensitivity.
Castor Seed Oil	A heavy, skin penetrating oil with humectant (humectants draw moisture from the air) properties; very effective in sealing in hair moisture for longer periods of time than lighter oils. Contains fatty acids which nourish the hair and prevents dry scalp. Softens hair and moisturizes. Great for generating new hair growth. Best time to use it is in the winter season or colder weather, as it is the thickest of the oils.
Carrier Oils	These oils are known as base oils and are often used to dilute essential oils (EO). They are thicker fatty oils derived from plants. They have many therapeutic properties on the hair and scalp. Some carrier oils include sweet almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, castor oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, and shea butter.
Chamomile	Ideal for light hair rinses and for naturally tinting hair. Known for soothing skin and scalp.
Chocolate	Caffeine in cocoa stimulates scalp for hair growth; contains epicatechin, an antioxidant which prevents free radical damage.
Cinnamon	A known hair lightener, when mixed with conditioner, cinnamon can lighten dark hair (3-4 shades lighter after sitting in hair for eight hours) without any drying effect to strands or scalp. Cinnamon is also an effective scalp stimulating herb.
Clove	Ideal for dark hair rinses and for naturally tinting hair temporarily. Clove has analgesic, antiseptic, and stimulating properties.
Cocoa Butter	Cocoa butter is the creamy, rich fat obtained from the seeds of the cocoa plant. It is a major ingredient in chocolate, which accounts for its rich candy bar aroma.
Coconut Milk	Known to treat hair loss and hair fall, prevents greying, and provides softness, detangling, and helps treat chlorine-damaged hair. When mixed with lime, it can loosen the hair's curl pattern.
Coconut Oil	Contains protein which smoothes hair and reduces hair breakage or loss significantly. Coconut oil quickly penetrates and nourishes chronically dry skin and hair. It is also known to get rid of dandruff when used as a pre wash conditioner.
Coffee	Caffeine in espresso stimulates hair growth when used on the scalp, and prevents age-related hair loss.
Espresso	Caffeine in espresso coffee beans stimulates hair growth when used on the scalp, and prevents age-related hair loss.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil	Extra Virgin Olive Oil improves elasticity of the hair preventing breakage and softens hair.
Fenugreek	Mixing Fenugreek with Yoghurt is a well known conditioning recipe for healthy and lustrous hair in India. Sometimes Fenugreek is also combined with Hibiscus for a great conditioner.
Ginger	Contains blood circulatory agents that help stimulate hair follicles. The fatty acids contained in ginger may be suggested for hair thinning and loss.
Ginseng Root Extract	Ginseng root extract strengthens the hair, thus aiding in the prevention of hair breakage and split ends.
Glycerin	Glycerol is a humectant with effective moisturising ingredients. It is used to moisturise dry hair and has an anti-static effect.
Grapefruit	Rinsing your hair with grapefruit juice will strip chemical and shampoo/conditioner build up from hair. Also leaves hair soft, and stimulates hair follicles.
Grapeseed Oil	Light, penetrating oil rich in minerals and vitamins that give it skin regenerative properties. Provides detangling with an effective slippage quality. Grapeseed oil is good for use in high heat, and is a natural heat protectant.
Green Tea	Provides UV protection, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea polyphenols applied topically are likely to slow down the development of some aging signs.
Hemp Seed Oil	Taken from hemp seeds, this oil is high in essential fatty acids making it a superb additive for hair and skincare products.
Hibiscus	Hibiscus rehydrates the keratin fibers of hair, and regenerates hair's structure. Increases moisture in dry hair, giving it a silky, shiny look.
Honey	Honey is a humectant, which helps skin and hair retain moisture in humid environments or during humid seasons.
Horsetail	Contains amino acids, silica, and phytosterols that condition & strengthen hair, and reduce build up of oils on the scalp.
Jojoba Oil	Jojoba oil is a plant wax, which makes hair smooth and easier to come. It is a non greasy moisturising oil because the oils are small enough to penetrate the hair cuticle. This oil is closest to your natural hair oil and closest to sebum produced by the sebaceous gland. It develops new hair cell growth and can be used to treat dandruff and dry scalp. It has antibacterial properties, adds shine and prevents split ends.
Lemon Peel /Lime	Astringent for oily hair or scalp.
Macadamia Nut Oil	Macadamia oil is very rich and contains many natural lipids. It works well in cures for the repair of brittle and extremely damaged hair.
Mango Butter	Mango butter is an off-white substance that is taken from the seed kernels of the mango tree. It is not quite as soft at room temperature as shea butter, yet not as hard a cocoa butter. It makes a great moisturizer on its own or in creams, lotions and balms.
Maple	Maple's a humectant that makes strands soft, shiny, and reduces frizz.
Marshmallow Root	Detangler and conditioner, great as a final rinse for hair. Anti-inflammatory that improves cell immunity against skin degeneration and oxidation. Very effective in healing skin irritations and wounds.
Mint	Oil balancing properties contained in mint make it effective for both oily and dry hair.
Neem	Antiseptic; helps treat dandruff; has skin rejuvenating and skin soothing qualities. Gentle and nourishing when used for itchy, sensitive or dry skin conditions.
Nettle	Very popular plant used in the regular care of hair as well as treatment of hair issues. Increases scalp circulation, and contains hair growth minerals, vitamins A and C and amino acids.
Oat Straw	Oat straw is high in silica and extremely nourishing, relaxing and soothing, particularly to the inflamed skin of psoriasis and eczema.
Olive Oil	An emollient, nourishing oil that prevents loss of skin moisture. It is absorbed quickly and it helps manage split ends, heals dandruff and adds shine to hair.
Palm Fruit Kernel Oil	A highly nourishing exotic oil comparable to coconut oil, with a firmer consistency ideal for hair pomades.
Pistachio Oil	Rich in fatty acids (especially linoleic) that nourish and soften skin, and a natural emollient. A lack of linoleic acid and other omega-6 fatty acids in the diet causes dry hair and hair loss.
Purified Water	Water is the ingredient found in ingredients that are able to moisturize hair. For dry hair concerns, water should be one of the first two ingredients listed on product labels, indicating that there is a high water content.
Rosemary Oil	Stimulates hair follicles and adds shine. It is great for dry hair and prevents dandruff.
Safflower Oil	Contains a high level of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fats, safflower is a light, sealing oil. This oil protects, firms and nourishes hair, is highly beneficial for dry hair, and dilates the blood vessels of the scalp, circulating more nutrients to the scalp. Helps retain more hair moisture, provides shine, and prevents hair protein loss that leads to hair loss.
Sage	Potent antiseptic and astringent characteristics make sage an effective toning conditioner for the hair. Also thickens and strengthens hair shafts.
Shea Butter	Comes from the nut of the shea tree, and is rich in vitamins A and E. It restores moisture and prevents weather damage to the hair. It is fantastic in preventing dry scalp and does not clog pores. Shea butter is great for sealing the ends of the hair.
Tea Tree Oil	Unclogs the hair follicles which leads to stimulating hair growth. It can free the scalp of bacteria and fungus.
Vatika Oil	Is a combination of all natural ingredient which includes coconut oil, amla oil, henna, and lemon. The henna coats the hair preventing oxidation; lemon controls sebum flow on the scalp; the amla oil strengthens the hair.
Wild Cherry Bark	Contains properties that add smoothness and silk conditioning to hair. Extracted from the bark of the Prunus serotina tree (a plant native to eastern North America), wild cherry bark has long been used in herbal medicine
Yogurt	An effective light protein treatment for hair, and due to the lactic acid in it, is anti-bacterial. The lactic acid in yogurt works well for oily scalp and hair. Commonly used in ayurvedic hair care. Hair comes out softer and smoother, and it loosens curls.