Marshmallow-Nettle Water-Based Intensive Treatment:

2 TBSP dried marshmallow root

2 TBSP dried nettle leaves

2 drops sweet basil or lavender essential oil

2 cups water

To soften & condition dry hair, add the marshmallow root to 2 cups boiling water (in a saucepan), reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and add the nettle leaf, stir and let steep until just warm. Strain, add basil oil and stir. Apply to hair and cover with a plastic cap. After 20 minutes, rinse.

For an excellent leave-in conditioner, add a few drops vodka to the strained solution, put in a spray bottle. Mist hair as desired. Will keep for about a week; longer if kept in the fridge.

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Rosemary Intensive Oil Treatment

4 ounces olive oil

10 drops each of rosemary and lavender essential oil

To smooth and soften coarse, brittle hair, place essential oils in a 4 ounce container; fill halfway with olive oil, cap and shake well.  Add the rest of the oil and shake again.

Work into hair from scalp to ends, and cover with a plastic cap. Shampoo out after an hour or two.  Or, simply apply a few drops to a hairbrush and brush thoroughly from scalp to ends as desired. Also treats dandruff.  This formula will last up to 6 months.

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Herbal Infusions

To condition and leave a brilliant shine, bathe hair in an herbal infusion.  Simply add 3 cups boiling water to 1/4 cup of the desired herb (see below) and allow to steep for 30 minutes or until just warm.

Strain, and pour over damp, freshly washed hair into a basin.  Use a cup to gather the tea from the basin and repeat this process 10 or more times.

Chamomile flowers — for blond hair

Calendula flowers – for red hair

Sage and rosemary  - for dark hair

To cover grey in dark  hair – combine rosemary, sage and black tea.