Lately I’ve been using more and more herbs in my skin and hair care recipes.  Herbs add healing value and nutrients to DIY beauty products.  Infusing apple cider vinegar for DIY skin and hair care recipes is a great way to provide those extra healing benefits.

I infuse herbs into apple cider vinegar the same way that I create herbal oil infusions.  I fill up 1/4-1/2 of a clean glass jar with the herbs of my choice, then fill the rest of the jar with either apple cider vinegar or a carrier oil and seal.

I let the herbs infuse slowly on the kitchen windowsill for four weeks.  I will gently shake the jar daily to help the herbs release more into the infusion.  When the four weeks are up, I strain and pour the herbal infusion into a clean container for use.  It is extremely helpful to label the jar with the date as well as your herbal content so that you will know exactly how to recreate the infusion and know when it will be ready.

I use apple cider vinegar in both the DIY Soothing Antioxidant Toner and the DIY Green Tea Cleansing Hair Rinse which I use mainly as a scalp treatment before washing my hair.  You can also do a very simple hair rinse with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of water to clarify and condition the hair.  This simple hair rinse has replaced conditioner for some as it creates shine while sealing the hair cuticle.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin

Apple cider vinegar promotes blood circulation and is a natural antiseptic.  It will also exfoliate dead skin cells as it is a natural alpha hydroxy acid.  Apple cider vinegar is known to detox the skin, clear acne and blemishes, and even out and brighten skin.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair

Apple cider vinegar’s natural antibiotic and antibacterial properties balances the pH of your scalp while removing dead skin cells on the scalp.  It is also a natural remedy for hair thinning, hair loss, and dandruff.  Apple cider vinegar rinses away chemicals and excess oils from the hair and scalp without dehydrating the hair leaving it conditioned and tangle free.

Amazing Herbs For Skin

Calendula

Lavendar

Chamomile

Elder Flower

Rosemary

Thyme

Amla

Burdock Root

Amazing Herbs For Hair

Nettle

Rosemary

Marshmallow Root

Comfrey

Birch

Basil

Horsetail

Burdock Root

Amla

Brahmi

I usually like to mix three or four herbs for my infusions, yet use whatever you have.  Some herbs work well for both skin and hair like comfrey, rosemary, burdock root, lavender, and amla even though I only listed them once. Read this great article on herbal hair care from Mountain Rose Herbs.  In the article it suggests using 3 tablespoons of herbs to 8 oz of apple cider vinegar.

Important Note:  Please research new herbs to ensure that their is no conflict with medical conditions or pregnancy.

You can find loose herbs in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.  Also you will receive the best benefits using an organic raw apple cider vinegar.

(Image by Mountain Rose Herbs)

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