DIY Fennel Scalp Rinse
Repair your scalp and increase hair growth with this DIY Fennel Scalp Rinse
When addressing any hair problems you should always begin by looking at the scalp, as that is where most of our hair issues begin and are fixed. Whether it’s due to inflammation or a change in the weather, the skin on our scalp can get damaged and this directly affects the quality of our hair. Think about it, if the roots are not being nourished, how can you expect your hair to grow and be healthy?!
That’s where fennel comes in. Traditionally used in the kitchen to add flavor to food, fennel seeds are incredibly powerful and can help soothe irritated skin. It can also help balance the skin on your scalp and stop it from over-producing too much oil, making it the ideal ingredient for a DIY hair rinse.
This DIY beauty recipe also calls raw apple cider vinegar, which is incredibly powerful and can help balance the pH levels of the scalp. Then there’s vegetable glycerin, which acts as a light conditioner to prevent flaky, itchy scalp.
Use this rinse once a week to help repair and heal your scalp and you’ll see a huge difference to the quality and feel of your hair.
Ingredients for this DIY Fennel Scalp Rinse
*1 tbsp of organic fennel seeds
*1 cup of purified water, boiled
*¼ cup of raw apple cider vinegar
*2 tbsp of vegetable glycerin
Optional ingredients
Add your favourite essential oils to help enhance your scalp repair and stimulate hair growth.
Therapeutic Peppermint essential oil stimulates blood flow and hair growth
Therapeutic Lavender essential oil calms regenerates and relaxes the skin
Therapeutic Tea tree essential oil is a strong antiseptic and helps fights dandruff
Cold pressed Emu oil or Lovingly handmade Rosehip oil from cruelty free companies such as Levenrose
Add the required essential oil dilution to a bit of emu or rosehip oil, before mixing it through the fennel rinse
Method for this DIY Fennel Scalp Rinse
Heat the purified water in a small pot until it reaches boiling point
Crush the fennel seeds with a mortar and pestle
Place the crushed fennel seeds in a bowl and pour the hot water over them. Leave for at least 30 minutes but up to few hours is better
Add the apple cider vinegar and vegetable glycerin and mix
Filter the mixture using a sieve or piece of cheesecloth
Add optional ingredients
To use, pour over dry or wet hair and leave it to sit for a minimum of five minutes
Gently massage (for 5 minutes or more) the remedy into your scalp using a circular motion with the pads of your fingers
Best is to leave the mixture on for a while before rinsing it out (this way the nutrients can soak deep into the skin
Ingredient in the Spotlight: Fennel seeds
Traditionally found in kitchen cupboards fennel seeds make a great addition to sweet and savory dishes due to their light, fragrant scent, and taste. You could even chew a few to freshen your breath naturally.
They might be small, but fennel seeds pack a powerful punch. They are full of antioxidants and nutrients to help heal the body. A diet including fennel seeds could help: increase metabolism, suppress appetite (great for weight loss!), clear the bloodstream, detoxify the body, and stimulate melatonin.
There are also some great beauty benefits of using fennel in your DIY skincare and hair care recipes. It can help soothe inflamed, itchy skin or sunburn, reduce large pores and tighten and tone the skin – great if you are prone to oiliness.
Fennel seeds are also great for acne as it contains powerful properties such as limonene, anethole and myrcene. It also has antiseptic properties that can fight off germs that cause acne. Fennel seed tea is also known to help purify and detoxify the body and bloodstream, which can help prevent acne and spots. I always use the organic fennel seeds of Starwest Botanicals, which is my favourite brand.
When it comes to hair care, fennel seeds are great for treating dandruff due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It protects the scalp, which in turn prevents hair loss and strengthens the hair shaft. It can also wash away any chemical build-up and impurities, leaving your hair feeling lighter and refreshed.
A word of warning: Despite the numerous benefits of fennel seeds this ingredient might not be suitable for everyone. Make sure you test that you aren’t allergic to them and steer clear of it completely if you’re pregnant. If you already suffer from asthma or other similar allergies consult a medical professional before using them on your skin and hair. Finally, remember that it’s all about moderation, therefore do not overuse fennel seeds in your diet or beauty routine.
