The benefits of nettle for hair have been known for a long time. This plant is able to solve various problems with curls. Nettle extracts are often included in ready-made hair care products. But homemade recipes with it also do not lose popularity. Our experts spoke to trichologists and botanists to learn about this plant, its beneficial properties and effective homemade recipes.

What is useful nettle

Nettle is divided into dioecious (perennial up to 1.5 meters high) and stinging (low annual). If stems and leaves are used as raw materials, then it is better to give preference to burning, and if the roots are dioecious.

The chemical composition of nettle contains the following components that are useful for hair:

1. 
   Organic compounds with acidic properties. They normalize the production of sebum, and also make the curls more elastic, shiny.

2. 
   Essential oils. Effectively eliminate inflammation on the skin of the head, strengthen the strands.

3. 
   Pectins. They help to cope with dandruff, have a soft exfoliation on the scalp.

4. 
   Glycosides. Accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues, improve blood flow to the hair follicles.

5. 
   Vitamins K, B, C (up to 70%) and carotenoids. Minerals (Fe, Cu, Ca, K) are also present in the composition. Due to these micronutrients, hair gains brightness and shine.

6. 
   Tannins. Well help to normalize the production of sebum, relieve inflammation.

7. 
   Proteins and chlorophyll. Reduce hair loss. Make them elastic and resilient.

Since hair loss and brittleness are often associated with a lack of vitamins, minerals and beneficial acids, nettle components are often included in ready-made care products. Also, this plant is valued for the fact that it has
high antioxidant activity.

How does it affect hair

To maintain the health of the scalp and the beauty of curls, nettle is used fresh or dried. On its basis, they make: masks, shampoos, infusions, decoctions. Such tools effectively help to cope with existing problems. In practice, it looks like this:

1. normalize the functioning of hair follicles, which stops excessive hair loss;

2. relieve seborrhea and its accompanying symptoms;

3. normalize the secretion of the sebaceous glands;

4. accelerate the growth of new hair, making them dense and voluminous;

5. improve the nutrition of curls and normalize blood supply in the vessels of the skin of the head.

The multifaceted benefits of nettle allow it to be used in the care of hair of any type.

Helpful Tips

To avoid unwanted consequences and increase the effectiveness of using this plant in the care of brittle, falling hair, follow these recommendations:

1. Before use, be sure to grind the raw materials. This will allow you to extract more nutrients.

2. Before applying to the scalp and hair, be sure to do a trial test. Squeeze some juice from a nettle leaf and rub it on your wrist. Watch this place for half an hour. If erythema appears and the smeared area begins to itch, then most likely you have an individual intolerance and it is better not to use this plant for hair care.

3. To get more benefit from nettle masks, apply them to freshly washed hair. Such curls will better perceive vitamins and other beneficial compounds.

4. If you will use a decoction or infusion for rinsing, then pre-strain the finished product so that you do not have to remove the chopped leaves from your hair for a long time.

5. If you are a dyed blonde or have naturally blonde locks, then be careful as some nettle products can stain your hair.

6. To obtain a stable positive result, it is necessary to use funds with nettle courses for 3-4 weeks.

For the preparation of various medicinal recipes, you can use both fresh herbs and dried raw materials from a pharmacy.

Home Recipes for Hair Loss

You will be able to prepare your own food without any complicated manipulations. the following nettle hair treatments:

1. juice from fresh leaves;

2. alcohol tincture;

3. water infusion or decoction;

4. oil.

Any of the above means can have a very good effect on the hair. Nettle can be the main ingredient, or you can add it to your favorite hair products to boost their effectiveness.

Infusion

An infusion made from nettle is great for rinsing hair that falls out dynamically. Use the following recipe:

1. Fill half a jar (1L) with nettle leaves (dry or fresh).
2. Pour the raw material with boiled water under the very top of the jar.
3. Cover the product with a lid and insist the herb for 10-15 minutes.
4. Cool the infusion to a comfortable temperature, strain it and rinse your shampooed hair.

Do not use hot infusion. It must be at room temperature. Such a tool can be used not only for rinsing, but also as a leave-in conditioner. Pour the infusion into a spray bottle and apply the product well to the roots of the hair and along the entire length. Let your hair dry without using a hair dryer.

Rinsing or applying the product to clean hair for 3-4 weeks will not only relieve rapid baldness, strengthen the follicles, but also protect the strands from the harmful effects of the external environment. With the course application of phytotherapy, the hair becomes obedient, nourished and healthy.

Decoction

Along with infusions, decoctions are very popular. Such a remedy, prepared from stinging nettle, is not only effective for alopecia, but also helps to relieve various inflammations on the skin of the head.

Prepare a decoction using one of the following options:

1. In a small 1 liter saucepan, place 10 tbsp. spoons of nettle (dry or fresh). Fill the raw material with water, filling the entire volume of the container. Bring the contents of the saucepan to a boil and simmer for 60 minutes. After that, cool the broth, strain it and rinse your hair with it after washing your hair in the usual way.
2. Take 500 ml of water and 200 g of fresh nettle, finely chopped beforehand. Send the saucepan with them to the water bath for 30 minutes. The prepared broth in this way allows you to save a maximum of useful substances.

Another very simple option is to buy nettles in sachets at the pharmacy and brew them according to the instructions.

Juice

To get nettle juice, mash the leaves into a pulp, and then squeeze the juice out of them. Gently rub it into the roots of your hair, and then wrap a cling film around your head and a towel over it. Walk with this product on your head for 60 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. This is a very effective way to stop hair loss.

Oil

Take 300 ml of olive oil and 100 g of dry nettle. Connect these 2 components and cover the container tightly with a lid. Keep the product in a cool dark place for 2-3 weeks. In the future, rub it into the roots in its pure form or add it to the preparation of masks or other products for dry and brittle hair.

masks

The following recipes are popular:

1. Nettle + oatmeal. Take 2 tbsp. spoons of nettle (dry), 2 tbsp. tablespoons of oatmeal in the form of flakes and 50 ml of water. Use a blender to turn the grass and flakes into flour. Add water to the dry mixture and mix well. Distribute the resulting product through the hair — from roots to ends. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with room temperature water.
2. Nettle + mint + yogurt. Take 5 tbsp. spoons of nettle, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of mint, 100 ml of yogurt or kefir. Grind vegetable raw materials in a blender. Add fermented milk product to it and mix thoroughly. Place the mixture in the refrigerator overnight. Apply the finished product to washed, damp hair, hold for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
3. Nettle + henna + egg yolk. Take 4 tbsp. spoons of dried nettle leaves, 3 teaspoons of colorless henna and 100 hot water. Combine all the ingredients, stir all the lumps until a mushy mass is formed. Add 1 egg yolk to it. Apply to damp hair, leave for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water and shampoo.

These products make hair stronger and more elastic. Curls break less, and the ends practically stop splitting.

Nettle can be supplemented with other medicinal plants: burdock root, rosemary, sage. They stimulate blood flow, provide hair follicles with the necessary nutrients and fatty acids that are needed to stimulate new hair growth. Depending on the type of hair, many different herbal combinations can be used.