Whether you’re newly natural or you’re fairly advanced, essential oils are everything!

Though their use may only now be trending for us, the wonders of essential oils were discovered centuries ago by civilizations like ancient Egypt and were even referenced in The Bible.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are aromatic and volatile liquids which don’t dissolve in water, extracted from aromatic plants by steam or hydro-distillation (material soaked in water).

They are derived from just about every part of a plant: the flowers, fruit, roots, resin, seeds, leaves, wood and bark. One of the key features is their essence or fragrance; they smell great!

But they also improve our health and contain several healing properties too. With their high concentration, only a few drops are needed.

Note that 100% all-natural essential oils are generally safe to use but must be diluted with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation or reactions.

Within the natural hair movement, essential oils are central to healthy hair and can be used at every stage of your hair care regimen.

Why Essential Oils for Natural Black Hair Care?

-stimulate blood circulation in the scalp

-provide nourishment and promote growth of hair

-regarded as the most effective and safest hair care products for Black hair

-fight scalp bacteria and fungus infections

-renew and prevent damage

-combat dryness of hair and scalp

-solve scalp challenges in Black hair care like dandruff, dryness and hair loss

It’s a good idea to try different ones based on their known uses, to see what works best and appeals to you.

Essential Oils for Natural Hair

Bergamot Oil
Good for: stimulating blood flow to hair follicles

Burdock Oil
Good for: hair loss (alopecia areata), a condition where a lot of hair is lost in patches | Blending well with many other essential oils

Cedar Oil
Good for: cyclopedia areata | dandruff

Chamomile Oil
Good for: itchy scalp and dandruff | healing scalps damaged from chemical treatments

Frankincense Oil
Good for: strengthening roots | prevention of hair shedding

Lavender Oil
Good for: treating hair loss | treating dandruff

Myrrh Oil
Good for: hair follicle strengthening

Orange Oil
Good for: breaking up waxy sebum on the scalp | fighting bacterial and fungal infections on the scalp

Peppermint Oil
Good for: stimulating blood flow | opening pores

Rosemary Oil
Good for: hair growth

Spearmint Oil
Good for: stimulating blood flow to scalp | providing anti-inflammatory agents

Tea Tree Oil
Good for: treating dandruff | stimulating hair growth

Thyme Oil
Good for: providing anti-microbial properties | alleviating dandruff and dry scalp

Hair Oil Recipes

You can use a few drops of essential oil to any carrier or base oil (like jojoba, olive, castor or coconut) or even to amp up a store-bought, prepared product.

Citrus Oil recipe: Fresh citrus and sweet vanilla – delicious combo for moisturizing! Combine 10 drops of vanilla oil, 10 drops of orange or bergamot oil with 2 ounces of your choice of carrier oil.

Rosemary Oil recipe: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil. When it has cooled, add 3 drops of rosemary oil. Apply this mix to your scalp and the cover your head with a heated, damp towel. Leave on for 30 minutes, then wash off with a sulfate-free, paraben-free shampoo. This treatment helps remove oil and un-clog pores. Apply once a week.

Cedar Oil recipe: Mix 2 tbsp coconut oil with 2-3 drops of cedar oil and massage into scalp. Leave on for 1 – 2 hours, then wash off.

Thyme Oil recipe: Rejuvenate and fight dry scalp with this herbal mix. Mix 2 drops of thyme oil and 5 drops of lavender oil in 2 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil. Massage in and wash off after 20 minutes.

Transitioning from Dry to A Healthy Scalp

A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. There are the factors in your hair regimen consistently to achieve this:

• Start with the inside – You must drink plenty of water and maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

• Gentle products – Using gentle and natural products are good for your hair.

• Temperature extremes – Protect your scalp from the cold and direct heat. If you must use a blow dryer, point the heat down the hair shaft.

Let’s make sure that the many wonderful benefits and knowledge of essential oils are not lost and passed to our next generation – by using them every day and talking about them.

As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty
Juliette Samuel
Esthetician/Author/Publisher
Nyraju Skin Care

Check out our new book:  Essential Oils For Afro Textured Hair