Much as I love winter, the knit hats, dry heat and bitterly cold temperatures are a surefire recipe for hair disaster. Think: absolute and total loss of any shine, unattractive flakiness, a thinning hairline and brittle strands.
So, this time I decided it was time to dig into the recipes of the past and see whether there was any way of restoring shine and vitality back to my lifeless hair. The solution was as simple as it is ancient: red hibiscus oil.
The red hibiscus (also known as Jaswand) is indigenous to warmer climates like Egypt and Hawaii. It has sacred connotations in India, where it’s known most prominently for its associations with Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha. But hibiscus is more than just a floral offering to the divine – it has numerous cosmetic properties and health benefits that have been used since centuries by Aurvedic practitioners as a vital ingredient in beauty treatments. And that’s not all… even science backs up the claims, asserting that:
- The oil from red hibiscus petals creates a hydro-lipid film that gives a silky smoothness to even the most brittle strands
- Red hibiscus oil has hydroxy acids that restore the balance of cellular division, hence treating dandruff
- It is rich in antioxidants that restore vitality and neutralise the effects of environmental pollutants
Armed with this knowledge, I turned to a simple recipe that grandmom used to use with an almost religious fervour: take 8-10 hibiscus flowers and dry them for 4-5 days (or just buy dried hibiscus petals and skip this step). Then powder the petals and mix them with coconut oil – one teaspoon of powdered petals to one teaspoon of oil is a good ratio. Massage this concoction into the scalp once a day for at least a week. I did this at night, then washed it off in the morning since greasy locks are even worse than dry and brittle ones as a fashion statement.
The results take 3-4 days to start showing but when they do – va va voom! My hair has honestly never looked so glossy. I am prepared for any hair turbulence now!
Got any great winter hair tricks of your own to share today? We want to hear ’em!
![Buy a perfume and save the earth? Sounds lofty and no one product can actually undo the mess we have made of our planet. But kudos to brands that are trying.
One of my favorites is @guerlain, which supports the super-endangered bee population through its Guerlain for Bees Conservation Programme. Through this weekend, 20% of the brand's sales will go to the Programme, which runs bee schools, sustainability initiatives & supports beekeepers through the year.
A great fit, given the beauty brand's long association with bees — ever noticed that their iconic perfume bottles are adorned with a myriad of bees?
[Scroll through for closeups — and click the link in bio for whole history of Guerlain and the bees. Trust me, it's FASCINATING.]
But why are bees so important? Aren’t they just a pain? And can’t we just live without honey? 🤷🏻♀️
Well, when you consider that 90% of the world’s flowering plants & more than 35% of the food crops rely on these tiny, buzzy workers for pollination — and hence survival — do you still think we can live without them?
It’s not just honey, it’s about EVERYTHING. The food we eat, the flowers we love, the life we enjoy. Basically, bees may be the third most important thing for humans after the sun & water. 🐝🐝
As Einstein said: “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” 🌾🌺🥀🌻
And these bees ARE disappearing at a frightening rate. Think pesticides, deforestation, WiFi signals, mono-cropping… it’s all causing bees to die out. 🌍🌏
The problem is so serious that the United Nations has designated a World Bee Day (it’s today!). So, how can we help? Some of the easiest ways:
🐝 Buy raw honey from local farmers
🐝 Reduce the use of pesticides, fungicides or herbicides
🐝 Get bee-friendly plants for your garden
🐝 Leave a water bowl outside for the pollinators
🐝 Support bee-conscious brands — my other favorites are @burtsbees, @trudon and @gisou
And share this post to raise awareness... the decline of bees affects us all!
Drop a 🐝 in the comments if you agree!](https://thebeautygypsy.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Icequeen81 says
thank you gonna try it, but wash it in the morning will be a problem , take a bath at 5;30 isnt ideal, the water is also so cold, maybe one weekends
Padmini says
I have all these ingredients already. I can’t wait to see if this cures my scalp flaking. The US has terribly hard water.
rose says
Do we need to warm the oil while the powder is being added or just mix it and keep it……seems like a very doable tip…..thanks…
anubha says
You don’t NEED to warm the oil but a little bit of heat helps the marination process.
p says
Hi..
Hibiscus grows well in my backyard.Heres a hair oil passed on by an ayurvedic doctor, I love using this oil.
Japa pushpadi thailam (hibiscus hair oil) for dense and beautiful hair growth
Make a fine paste of single petal red hibiscus flowers.Take equal amount of hibiscus flower paste and coconut oil or sesame oil or olive oil, mix in a wide flat vessel.Cook on a slow flame and stir in between.Cook till all the moisture evaporates leaving only the oil.Now remove and strain.Store this oil in a glass jar.Warm little oil and apply to scalp and hair and scalp everyday before bed time.Take head bath in the morning with an ayurvedic shampoo every 3 days.This will gradually control hair loss and will help your hair grow stronger.
Tip – Using sesame oil as a base has an added bonus of getting rid of dandruff.Use olive oil as a base If you like to use a nonstick hair oil.
Hibiscus hair mask remedy for dry and frizzy hair
Grind fresh hibiscus leaves into a paste with 1/4th cup curds and a spoon of lemon juice.Apply to head and leave for 30 mins.Wash with a mild shampoo.Results in shiny hair,reduces split ends.
p says
The above hibiscus hair mask was also suggested by an ayurvedic specialist
Varsha says
Anubha,, thanks for all tips. They are amazing.
Your fan Varsha from usa
Sophie says
This is the perfect post to read before wedding season comes up!
P says
Hi..
Love your blog.., it’s loaded with a lot of useful information. Can please do a write up on your grandmas Ayurvedic recipes for skin and hair? I am sure you could write a lot about her tips.I love to use such home remedies that have been tried and tested.