I love DIY hair care and I especially love using essential oils in my at-home hair care mixes. Essential oils have a large range of benefits to the hair, depending on which essential oil is being used. Anything from treating dandruff, improving scalp circulation, preventing hair loss, soothing inflamed and irritated scalp, and promoting hair growth.
Essential oils are a huge part of DIY hair care and have been used to treat the hair and scalp for hundreds of years. The essential oil that I want to focus on in this post is Pure Mountain Botanicals Patchouli oil, it's benefits to the hair, and why you should be using it in your DIY hair care routine.
Read Also: The Benefits of Emu Oil for Hair Growth
What is Patchouli Oil and How Is It Used?
Patchouli essential oil is traced back to southeast Asia and comes from the perennial patchouli plant which is from the same family as mint, lavender, and sage. It grows as a bushy plant and blooms small pink and white flowers.It has been used to treat the hair and skin for hundreds of years. It is best known for its antiseptic, astringent, and fungicide properties. It can help treat scalp infections that can cause the scalp to become inflamed and also treat fungal scalp infections and illnesses such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Like fine wine, patchouli is one of the few essential oils that actually become better with age. Many essential oils oxidize and lose their potency over time, but not patchouli. It has a very potent fragrance which for some, is an acquired aroma. It is very rich, earthy, and woody. It also has a very light floral note underneath its deep aroma.
Read Also: DIY Rose Conditioner to Soften Natural Hair
The fragrance is either a hit or miss for most people, but if you like the smell of essential oils such as rosemary, jasmine, thyme or sandalwood then you may be able to appreciate patchouli's spicy aroma.
How Does Patchouli Oil Benefit the Hair?
As I mentioned before, people have been using patchouli oil on the hair for hundreds of years. The oil is known for treating hair loss, promoting hair growth, helping to treat dandruff and dry, flaky scalp, treating fungal scalp infections, soothing irritation and inflammation. Patchouli oil also has astringent properties to help contract blood vessels in the scalp which could help encourage hair growth.How Does Patchouli Oil Benefit the Skin?
Patchouli oil has many benefits to the skin. It can help hydrate the skin, moisturize dry and cracked skin, soothe skin irritation, itchy skin, and alleviate symptoms of some skin diseases.How to Use Patchouli Oil on the Hair and Skin
Like most essential oils, you should never use patchouli directly on your skin, near the eyes or any other mucous membranes. Patchouli oil should be mixed and diluted with a carrier oil before applying it to the hair, scalp or skin.
Patchouli usually blends well with various oils, butters, and essential oils. It can also be mixed with other essential oils for a fragrant blend and worn on the skin as a perfume. The fragrance of patchouli oil blends well with other fragrant essential oils such as bergamot, black pepper, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, coriander, frankincense, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, litsea cubeba, mandarin, myrrh, neroli, oakmoss, opopanax, orange, rose, sandalwood, and vetiver.
DIY Hair Care with Patchouli Oil
To Fight and Prevent Dandruff
Dandruff can be caused by many reasons, but it can be relieved. Using anti-dandruff shampoos can sometimes make the problem worse due to all of the chemicals and synthetic ingredients being used in their formulas. To fight dandruff naturally, add 5-8 drops of Patchouli essential oil to your shampoo and conditioner. Use as you normally would to help fight and prevent dandruff and flaking scalp.To Relieve an Itchy Scalp
Having an itchy scalp can be really annoying and uncomfortable. Scalp problems like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis can cause a severely itchy scalp. Even changes in the weather, certain hair products, and buildup can cause your scalp to become itchy. To relieve an itchy scalp, mix 5-8 drops of patchouli essential oil with a carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil and massage it into your scalp before shampooing.Read Also: DIY Chocolate Hair Care Recipes
To Help Prevent Hair Loss & Promote Hair Growth
Hair loss is something that is more common than people realize. Hair loss can be caused by many reasons including poor hair practices, over-manipulating the hair, weather changes, chemical hair treatments, and environmental toxins. Severe hair loss should always be discussed with your doctor.To use patchouli oil to promote hair growth and treat hair loss, mix with 5 drops of patchouli oil, 3 drops of rosemary oil with 8 ounces (1 cup) of jojoba oil. Massage the oil mixture into the scalp daily before bed or before showering to help stimulate hair growth.
How do you use essential oils in your hair care regimen, and what are some of your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!