Apple Cider Vinegar Herbal Hair Rinse
Apple Cider Vinegar Herbal Hair Rinse
This herbal-infused vinegar helps to balance the scalp's pH, reduces frizz, and restore the natural shine of your hair.
I've been DIYing my skincare for over a decade, and I always find that simple recipes are some of the best natural alternatives I've ever used.
Raw honey is a great face wash, and coconut oil is my go-to skin moisturizer. But when it comes to hair care, things get a little tricky, and what works well for one hair type doesn't always work for another.
Some folks have dry, brittle hair, while others struggle with oily or fine hair. Depending on your hair goals and needs, you may find that some DIYs simple don't work for your hair.
I'm currently experimenting with homemade shampoo bars (hoping to share the recipe here with you soon) and am finding that some formulas work amazing for my hair and yet will dull my daughter's hair. While I'll continue to work on DIY shampoo, I've found a conditioning/hair rinse solution that's working well for all the hair types in my home: Apple Cider Vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is excellent for the hair for so many reasons. It helps to balance the pH of your hair and scalp, reduces dandruff and buildup, helps with frizz, and makes your hair shiny. The only downfall is the smell, which I cover up with herbs and essential oils.
This herbal-infused apple cider vinegar is made with herbs the support your hair goals and is infused for 2-3 weeks. The finished product is a concentrate that you dilute, so one bottle will last a long time!
Below, I share how I make this concentrated hair rinse and different herbs you can use for your hair goals.
The Herbal Crafter is a free newsletter. Below, all subscribers will find access to the full recipe, a printable PDF, and video tutorial.
Apple Cider Vinegar Herbal Hair Rinse
Components:
Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances hair pH, is antimicrobial and soothes and seals hair cuticles, resulting in less frizz and more shine. I like to buy my ACV by the gallon from Azure Standard.
Dried Herbs: Rosemary, lavender, chamomile, calendula, horsetail, nettle, and burdock are all great herbs for this DIY. I purchase most of my herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and Azure Standard.
Essential Oils (optional): I add 1-2 drops of essential oils to my concentrate to add more plant benefits and scent. I use pure, high-quality essential oils in my DIYs but don't often use them. Essential oils are powerful and should be used in small quantities. I use this brand.
Which Herbs To Use:
Herbs for Dry Hair: Burdock Root, Marshmallow Root, Nettle, Lavender, Calendula and Elderflowers
Herbs for Oily Hair: Calendula, Mint, Thyme, Horsetail, Rosemary, and Lemon Balm
Herbs for Volume: Catnip, Rosemary, Horsetail, and Calendula
Herbs for Shine: Horsetail, Nettle, Rosemary, and Calendula
Herbs for Hair Growth: Chamomile, Burdock, Nettles, Rosemary, and Horsetail
Which Herbs To Use:
Rosemary Essential Oil: Stimulates hair growth and helps with scalp conditions like dandruff.
Tea Tree Oil: Removes buildup on the scalp and hair and helps to soothe inflamed scalp issues.
Lavender Essential Oil: Helps reduce itching and is gentle and conditioning.
Peppermint Essential Oil: Stimulates scalp circulation, which may help promote hair growth.
Ingredients
32 oz glass jar
10-14 tablespoons of dried herbs
raw apple cider vinegar
1-2 drops of essential oils (optional)
What I Used:
2 Tablespoons Rosemary
2 Tablespoons Nettle
2 Tablespoons Horsetail
2 Tablespoons Lavender
2 Tablespoons Chamomile
1 Tablespoon Burdock
2 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
Instructions:
Add the herbs to a 32-oz jar and cover with apple cider vinegar.
Let the herbs soak briefly, then top them off with more vinegar.
Fill the jar to the top.
Securely cover the jar with the lid, and if you're using a medium lid, use parchment paper to prevent rusting.
Place the vinegar in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks.
Shake the jar every few days.
After a few weeks, the vinegar is ready, and you can strain the herbs.
Store the concentrate in a clean glass jar.
If you're using essential oils, add them to the jar and shake to incorporate.
How To Use
Never apply undiluted apple cider vinegar to your hair. It's too acidic! Always dilute with water before using.
Note: If you have dry hair, start with just 1-2 teaspoons of vinegar. If you have oily hair, you can start with 1/2 tablespoon. Add more or less with each rinse until you find your sweet spot. I use one tablespoon when I make it for my hair.
Add 1/2-2 tablespoons of the vinegar to one cup of water. I like mixing this into a spray bottle of hair applicator (like in the photos/video).
Shake well and apply to freshly washed hair. Rub the rinse on your scalp and massage through the hair.
You can follow up by rinsing or leaving it in. The vinegar scent will dissipate after 10 minutes.
Downloadable recipe PDF & video tutorial below!
About The Herbal Crafter
My name is Tiffany, and I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and three kids. I have been blogging about food and natural living for over 14 years. I spend me free time studying herbalism and aromatherapy.
I'm currently enrolled in The Herbal Academy's Intermediate Herbal Course and hope to take the Advanced course in 2025.
I created this substack to share my herbal recipes, plant-based creations, and foraging finds.
Been using bicarb to wash followed by ACV rinse for almost a year now, and loving it, not going back to ordinary products ever again! I have fine thick hair that tends to oiliness and have definitely experienced all the benefits listed by you re the ACV ‐ soft and shiny, no frizz, no dandruff.
Haven't found that the ACV (raw organic ) has any long lasting smell, thought it actually disappates quickly, and I use quite a lot in my rinse.
Very keen to try out the addition of dried herbs to the ACV rinse for the additional benefits though, thanks for those suggestions! 💚