Rosemary Herbal Infusion - Simple, All-Natural Haircare

Ah, the smell of Rosemary. I think it is my favorite scent. It makes me think of a bright, warm summer day filled with endless possibilities. It is quite invigorating, yet also comforting. It makes me feel close to the earth.

Last year I was convinced to give up shampoo and conditioner. Shampooing strips the hair of all its natural, protective oils and then conditioner is just a bunch of processed chemicals designed to re-moisturize the hair and scalp. It seemed like a silly cycle that was a waste of money and damaging to the hair. Plus, all the sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate can't be good for a person, especially if you have sensitive skin. They are known to be a skin irritants. (1)

I wanted to try something natural and simple to make. That's when I found that rosemary is great for the hair. It adds shine and helps to prevent and treat dandruff. It also darkens the hair, which is an added bonus if you are a brunette and want to stay that way. Some claim that its invigorating properties can be a boost the the scalp and promote hair growth. I'm not sure about that, but I do know that I love how it smells and leaves my hair shiny, healthy, and radiant.

Please note: The rosemary infusion is used as a conditioner. Instead of shampoo I use a hair wash that I mix together using all natural liquid Castile soap from Bohemian Apothecarium. (There are recipes for it on the website.) It cleans the hair and doesn't dry it out.

This method is perfect if you are trying to go all-natural, concerned with frugality, or your impact on the environment. This method costs a fraction of the normal haircare routine, even using the cheap stuff. It also cuts down on garbage and pollution because you aren't buying all those shampoo and conditioner bottles. Your hair, your wallet, and the planet will thank you.


Equipment needed:

• 1 Heaping Tablespoon of Fresh or dried Rosemary (If you like it stronger, feel free to add more.)
• 1 Mason Jar (or a sealing container that you can put boiling water in)
• A teakettle or Pan  to boil approximately 4 cups of water in
• A large Mixing Bowl
• A fine Mesh Strainer or a Strainer covered with Cheesecloth

 Procedure

1.  Boil a little over 4 cups of water in your teakettle/pan. 
2. Measure out your Rosemary and add to your jar.  
3. Fill the jar with boiling water and stir the mixture. 
4. Put the lid on and let sit over night. (If you can't wait this long, you will still have a good mix after about 10-15 minutes. Leaving it longer allows it to become stronger and is highly recommended.)
5. In the morning, pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl and rinse out any residual leaves from your jar. 
6. Place the strainer above your jar and pour the infusion back into the jar. Be sure to squeeze the leaves to get all the water out. That's the good stuff there. 
7. You may want to heat up your infusion before you take it with you to the shower. Pouring it on your head when it is cold is no fun. Trust me on that.  
8. After massaging your scalp and hair with the baking soda mix for a few minutes and then rinsing, pour the rosemary infusion into your hair. Work or comb it in. Don't rinse! You want to leave this in. Simply wring out your hair a little and then dry and style as usual. The lovely scent will stay with you most of the day and is a great portable aromatherapy tool. 

For a great way to store your rinse, use a mason jar. This will give you enough for at least two uses. More, if you have short hair. Simply heat your rinse, take out what you want to use and put in a usable container. Then, while the rinse is still warm, put the lid back on the jar and put it in the fridge. It will create a seal that will keep your rinse for a couple weeks. Although, you will probably want to use it at least every couple days. 

As an alternative to the infusion, you may want to try a vinegar rinse. To make a rosemary infusion with this, fill your jar or bottle with apple cider vinegar and some rosemary. Let it sit in a dark place for about two weeks. Once it is ready to use, simply mix between 2 Tablespoons and 1/4 cup with 1 cup of warm water. (Again, it depends on your hair and preferences.) Use this as a rinse instead of the other infusion. The vinegar closes the hair cuticles and leave the hair very shiny. You can go ahead and rinse this out. Don't worry, the vinegar smell isn't noticeable.  Sometimes I even just add about a tablespoon of the apple cider vinegar to the rosemary rinse, leave it in my hair for a few minutes while showering, and then rinse it. It leaves my hair so soft and sleek. 

Experiment and let me know how it works for you in the comments below. I look forward to reading your thoughts about this and your experiences going all-natural with your haircare.