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Apple Cider Vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has long been used as a natural hair care product to promote healthy hair in both men and woman. Its acidity is close to that of natural hair, it's a good conditioner and cleaning agent and it's also an effective germ killer.
As a result, apple cider vinegar uses and benefits for the hair include:
- Vinegar hair rinse
- Hair Herbal rinse
- Essential oil vinegar hair rinse
- Dandruff and itchy scalp relief
- Natural hair loss treatment
- Home Remedy for head Lice
| Click here to share your vinegar hair care experiences and invite comments from other readers of this web site! |
Hair is on the mildly acidic side of the pH scale and has an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to that of an apple cider vinegar rinse (pH 2.9).
On the other hand, many of the hair care products we use, such as soap-based shampoos, bleaches, hair colors, and permanents are strongly alkaline.
Rinsing with apple cider vinegar will help balance the pH of your hair and remove the buildup that can result from the use of these styling products and inexpensive shampoos.
Rinsing will also close the numerous cuticle scales which cover and protect the surface of each hair shaft. This imparts a smoother surface which reflects more light and as a result leaves your hair shinier, smoother and easier to manage.
Rough hair shaft with open cuticles compared to smooth hair shaft with closed cuticles.
Don't worry about the slight vinegar smell you will notice after rinsing. It will disappear completely as your hair dries.
Make your own healthy after-shampoo hair rinse by mixing 1/3 of a cup (75 ml) of ACV into a quart (1 liter) of water. You can then store this mixture in a plastic bottle and keep it in the shower for ready use.
If you would like to prepare a smaller batch of this vinegar hair rinse recipe to experiment with, try mixing 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm filtered tap water.
Apply the vinegar rinse after shampooing and then rinse it all out, or for extra conditioning, you can leave the rinse on your hair. This natural hair care product can be used once or twice a week or more often as needed.
By infusing various herbs into the vinegar rinse, you can enhance different hair colors and condition hair at the same time.
Here are some recommended herbs to use with apple cider vinegar:
- For dark hair:......Parsley, Rosemary, Sage
- For light hair:.....Chamomile, Flannel Mullein, Marigold
- For red hair:.......Henna
- For oily hair:......Lavender, Thyme, Witch Hazel, Yarrow
- For dry hair:.......Marigold
- For brittle hair:...Horsetail
- Place 2 tablespoons of the dried herb (or herb mixture) into a muslin bag or tea ball and put in a warmed tea pot.
- Pour 1 pint (500 ml) of boiling water over the herbs and infuse for 2 hours.
- Allow the liquid to cool then pour it into a quart (1 liter) jar.
- Add 1 pint (500 ml) of apple cider vinegar and mix well.
No time to make your own natural hair care product?
You can buy online, ready made apple cider vinegar herbal hair rinses:
If preparing a vinegar/herb infusion is not your cup of tea, then a faster way to enhance the hair conditioning effect of apple cider vinegar is to add a small amount of certain types of essential oils.
To make a batch, just add 5 drops of the essential oil to 1 cup (250 ml) of apple cider vinegar. When you are ready to rinse your hair, take 1 tablespoon of this mixture and add it to 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water.
Types of essential oils that go well in a vinegar hair rinse include:
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Sage
The acids and enzymes in ACV kill the "bottle bacillus", a bacteria that is one of the causes for many scalp and hair conditions such as dandruff, itchy scalp, hair loss and often baldness.The bacteria clogs hair follicles allowing dry crusts to form that itch and flake.
For a simple home treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp, apply full strength ACV to the scalp, rub in, and leave on for a half hour to an hour before washing your hair.
For an extra strength natural hair care product, apple cider vinegar can be infused with herbs such as stinging nettle, southernwood, goosegrass, plantain and burdock root all of which help prevent dandruff on their own. Tea tree oil is another excellent natural anti-dandruff ingredient, which can be added.
In her book Apple Cider Vinegar- Miracle Health System, Patricia Bragg recommends trying the following natural hair loss treatment:
For bald and thinning areas apply to scalp an hour before shampooing- 2 Tbsp ACV mixed with a tiny pinch cayenne powder.
Then before going to bed, mix a royal jelly capsule with one tsp ACV, pat on bald areas and leave overnight.
The following herbs have also been used to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth:
- Burdock
- Catnip
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Saw Palmetto
- Thyme
- Yucca
Apple cider vinegar is just one of many natural products that can be used to treat hair loss.
You can find more holistic tips on how to stop your hair loss now, as well as a male and female natural hair loss treatment procedure that helps you address and eliminate the causes of hair loss, in an e-book called "Hair Loss no More"
The author, Jonathon E Phillips, is an international hair health specialist and hair loss analyst who has also studied in the fields of physiology, toxicology and naturopathy.
He guarantees that if you follow the simple steps outlined in this e-book you will see results and feel the benefits within 8 weeks or he will refund the complete cost of the book, no questions asked.
Lice infestations are very contagious and are characterized by intense itching caused by an allergic reaction to a toxin in the saliva of the lice.
If you find that commercial lice preparations are too toxic (many contain pesticides) for you or your child's skin, try the following herbal head louse treatment described in the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine that uses all natural hair care products:
- Carefully brush the child's head with a mixture of 3 parts olive oil and 1 part lavender essential oil.
- First apply to a small area to test for allergic sensitivity or skin reaction.
- The hair should be saturated with the olive oil mixture and a shower cap put on for 5 hours.
- The olive oil clogs the breathing pores of the lice and they can't hold their breath for more than 4 hours.
- Follow this by an apple cider vinegar rinse, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) ACV added to 1 cup (250 ml) water, to unglue the nits from the hair.
- Nits or lice eggs are fairly small and can be pearly to grey in color.
- Then, using a fine-tooth comb, parents should comb the child's hair meticulously to remove the lice eggs from the hair shaft.
- And finally, wash the child's hair with a natural shampoo.
Do You Have
a Vinegar Hair Care Experience
to Share?
This is the place to share your stories related to vinegar as a natural hair care product.
If you like, you can include photos to highlight your narration.
Your stories will appear as a new web page linked at the bottom of this page and all site visitors will be able to comment on them.
Your Vinegar Hair Care Stories
Click on the links below to see some great contributions about the use of vinegar as a natural hair care product from other visitors to this page...
ACV Really Works for African, American Hair! 
I have been growing my perm out for 3 years and since then I have cut it, and bleached it.
I wanted to go natural and grow it out so I stopped …
How ACV Has Brought The Shine & Softness Back To My Hair
I have heard and read many stories about how to use apple cider vinegar for hair care and decided to try a new method to my daily hair care routine. …
Apple Cider Vinegar for Severly Itchy Scalp
I was seen by a dermatologist two years ago for what he explained was a wart on my scalp, caused by scratching my dry itchy scalp with my fingernails. …
ACV helps my Borderline Hypothyroid condition so I lose much less hair
I have been reading a lot about ACV rinses. Thanks to being slightly Hypo, no medicine needed. My hair has fallen to less than half its fullness. …
Thanks for these stories on ACV for tangled hair
I wanted to share my experience with the ACV after being so frustrated with my hair for months.
Sunday, again I washed my hair then used a conditioner …
Smooth, soft shiny hair back again, thanks to ACV!
I moved neighbourhood and water supply.
The new water supply was considered 'hard' water and left my normally soft, shiny, silky (coloured) hair …
herbal vinegar tea for thin hair
I've always straightened and dyed my hair, and over the years my thick, fine hair has begun coming out in the shower in huge quantities.
I'm …
Great feel, look and shine with Vinegar Rinse
I used the apple cider vinegar 1 day ago.
I washed my hair as usual then rinsed it with the diluted vinegar. After 5-10 min I rinsed it off …
Making My Hair Grow Fast?
I started using ACV, 2 T with honey and water, two times a day right before Christmas 2010.
It has been about one month and I swear my hair …
ACV for Flaky Itchy Scalp-No more scratching like a dog!
I have processed hair and my scalp was terribly, terribly itchy all the time. It was flaking too, but not heavily.
I used Nizoral for about …
ACV - Removes Wax From Dreadlocks
I've had my dreads for about 4 years now and when I made them I was told to use wax to hold them together.. granted it will hold your dreads together. …
Too much static
I really like the way the ACV makes my hair silky smooth and tangle-free.
My only problem is that after using it, my hair is full of static …
Miraculous ACV! for Hair Care
While surfing though the net, I came across the health benefits of ACV.
ACV is not only beneficial for the skin, but it also works wonders for …
It Works for My Fine and Brittle Hair!
I heard that ACV is great for hair so I used your recipe of 1 Tablespoon to one cup of water and after I washed my hair I poured it on my hair. …
major buildup gone with ACV rinse
I had a bad build up on my hair and wanted to remove it, I wasn't sure how to do this till I tried the vinegar rinse.
I made a batch like it …
ACV hair rinse did it! :)
I ran through Google for some natural home remedies for hair care, and found out ACV has great use for that.
And I found this web side, and followed …
ACV helped me to fight the toughest dandruff
I am a 28 year old guy from New Delhi, INDIA.
I was suffering from tough dandruff for past 3-4 years. I had a dandruff which used to cover my …
ACV for Curly Hair
I have naturally curly hair that is usually curly and bouncy.
But from color bleach and the use of flat irons my curls have been flat and stringy. …
No more itch- Eczema
I have had chronic scalp eczema my whole life (28 yrs) and have used various treatments.
I did a ACV herbal mix with lavender and rose petals …
How vinegar changed the way i care for my hair
I used to think it was unnecessary to use home remedies in one’s hair, since so many wonderful products were available nowadays and gave such great …
ACV cleared razor bumps on my scalp
Had little bumps on my scalp and also started getting these ugly razor bumps at the back of my neck.
Treated with ACV and all disappeared; even …
ACV Hair Rinse-How to improve the smell
I use ACV as a hair rinse but I also put 3-4 drops of essential oil in it.
I like the cinnamon oil but you can use any kind.
It is a little …
ACV got my Seborrhea Dermatitis under control
I've dealt with dandruff all my life and developed it in my eyebrows in high school. (33 yrs ago)
I learned that it is actually Seborrhea Dermatitis …
ACV is cheaper than Shampoo
A few years ago I became homeless and was unable to afford shampoo.
But ACV can be bought with food stamps and it works just as good (if not …
Horrid Dandruff :(
I've had horrible dandruff problems for almost a year now.
I tried everything at the pharmacies, which only seemed to dry out my curly hair …
Bicarbonate and Vinegar Hair Rinse
A few weeks ago I read information on washing your hair with Bicarbonate and after with cider vinegar.
All a bit weird and so I tried it and …
ACV instantly cleared flaky scalp
About ten months ago I stopped using shampoo completely, using baking soda to clean my hair if it gets oily or smelly.
While shaking the shampoo …
ACV stopped my drastic hairfall in 2 weeks
My hair had been falling for the last 4 years.
I started taking ACV, 2 tablespoons 3 times a day (before each meal) and my hair fall was arrested …
ACV for hair cleaning
I have been using ACV to clean my hair. I do this either by taking 5 teaspoons worth and mixing it with 3/4 liter of water and adding 3 to 5 drops …
Apple Cider Vinegar for Oily Hair
When I was younger my hair got very oily. I tried everything on the shelves, and NOTHING seemed to work.
Naturally I was devastated. I thought …
Help wanted!!! Long HAIR Remedy
I have just started using acv as a rinse...leaving it in.
I love it but I have a big problem too...my hair is falling out everywhere...I know …
How ACV gave me Thick Hair
I read your website about using ACV as a hair rinse, so I rinsed my hair with ACV and started using olive oil.
And now my hair is thick and long …
I have used ACV to make my hair feel soft and shiny.
My older sister introduced me to Apple Cider Vinegar and the many uses of it..particularly with hair.
She instructed me to wash my hair with it …
It's a great detangler!!!
Hello! I've got extremely thick and kinky curly hair.
I am African American with natural hair and many have told me they don't know how I keep …
I was ready to pull out my $1800.00 extensions, but ACV saved the life in my hair!!
I am a light blonde woman with very fine hair.
Since I felt like I can't get the thickness and fullness or length of the hair I would love, I …
ACV for African American Hair 
I am transitioning from a relaxer to natural coily/curly hair and ACV has made the difference in my transition.
I use many different ways and …
Synthetic Hair Nightmare
Recently I’ve had some severe hair breakage in the crown area. Normally I'd have my hair kinky twisted, but due to the breakage the stylist insisted …
ACV and Shea Butter
I had been looking over the web regarding, Bragg Oranic Vinegar. I decided to try and use the rinse for my hair.
I washed my hair with White …
ACV as a Natural Hair Color Enhancer
I am a 55 yr. old male.
I was interested in reading about the A.C.V. rinse, so much so that I thought I'd try it.
For the past 10 yrs. my hair …
ACV for Head Lice
My 12 year old daughter caught head lice from a friend and I dreaded to clean it out.
She has very thick and curly hair and it would take four …
ACV stopped me from getting split ends Not rated yet
Previously my hair easily got split ends and I always thought maybe it's normal for my hair type (wavy, blonde and rather thin).
However, I had long …
ACV cleared the buildup from my families locs. Not rated yet
I have been caring for and mantaining my locs for three years now and my two kids for the past two.
I began to notice build up and lint from …
From Tears to Cheers with my Hair Thanks to ACV Not rated yet
I have been struggling for 2 years now with very dry and brittle hair.
Every time I try to grow it out, I usually get frustrated and chop it …
Natural Hair Dye and ACV Not rated yet
A lot of people want to dye their hair without the harsh chemicals of salon dyeing and box dyeing. Vinegar makes an excellent base for demi-natural hair …
ACV treatment for severe dandruff Not rated yet
I've had dandruff forever and it seems to only be getting worse.
I've tried every single anti-dandruff shampoo in the world and nothing has worked. …
The benefits of rosemary and acv for my hair Not rated yet
My hair used to be dry and unmanageable.
I was using shampoo and conditioner everyday...
I have a huge rosemary bush growing on the side …
VINEGAR on hair REALLY WORKS!!!! Not rated yet
Hello! I just want to share my own experience when following these tips. My hair has always been dry and tangled. It always looked opaque, frizzy, …
How ACV relieves my Rosacea and Dandruff! Not rated yet
I have had Rosacea and dandruff/dry skin for years.
I have really bad dandruff as a result of my Rosacea in my Eyebrows and Mustache. I've used …
ACV Cleaned my Flaky Scalp and Revitalised my Curly Hair Not rated yet
Let me first start by saying I am a bi-racial female (black and white mixed), so my hair texture is around a 3C. It's very curly and frizzy, which …
ACV and Sulfate-Free Shampoo Ended 4 years of Misery for My Hair=( Not rated yet
I had been experiencing trouble with dandruff for 4 years and gradually had became worst into the 3rd year where My Flakes were even bigger and more embarrassing …
ACV is an Excellent Conditioner Not rated yet
Hello,
I have started using ACV for the last two weeks.
A diluted solution of ACV can be used as conditioner after washing with shampoo. …
Apple Cider Vinegar for Itchy Scalp Not rated yet
I have been weaving my hair for years now.
Recently I took my weave out and noticed that my scalp had black spots and lesions, and was really …
ACV Brought Back Shine & Softness In My Hair!! Not rated yet
After using apple cider vinegar for just a couple weeks, I see the shine come back into my hair once again! My hair is silky, shiny and soft.
…
ACV and Head Lice Not rated yet
My kids ended up with head lice a couple of times.
I did not like to use the harsh chemicals in the shampoos so I looked into alternatives. …
ACV for Red Itchy Scalp and Patches on Skin Not rated yet
I noticed excessive dandruff and redness on my scalp. Also between my eyebrows, side of nose, face then chin.
Upon googling it was determined …
ACV cured my daughters cradle cap Not rated yet
At almost two years of age my daughter still had bad cradle cap which was made worse by daily rolls in the sand pit. I was recommended by a hair …
ACV and Gelatin for 'Thyroid Hair' Sufferer Not rated yet
Just over 6 years ago, I suddenly became ill with Graves Disease (overactive thyroid), which developed into Thyrotoxicosis (life-threatening). Prior …
Rinsing away my dandruff one day at a time with ACV! Not rated yet
I usually don't wash my hair often cause I have pretty bad dandruff.
Then I made a mixture of 1 part ACV, 1 part hydrogen peroxide, and 10 parts …
Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff - It Works! Not rated yet
I have had a problem with dry/dandruff scalp for a long time & I have tried all the special dandruff shampoos but they only seemed to make the problem …
ACV for dry, brittle, dandruff damaged hair for men Not rated yet
I'm 38 and on various medication which causes my hair to be very damaged but since using a plain ACV rinse, 1 part ACV 3 parts water, my itching …
ACV for Baby Fine Hair Not rated yet
I have very fine & thinning hair. I wash my hair every day as I do a lot of sports & fitness.
I wash my hair with an SLS-free shampoo 2 times …
ACV Works against Dandruff!! Not rated yet
I have had dandruff for the longest time, I used almost every anti dandruff shampoo I could find with no results.
Since I have tried ACV my scalp has …
Lice Prevention with ACV Not rated yet
When I was little, my family kept foster children.
Sometimes, they would have lice when they came to us.
My mom would rinse our hair with …
acv made my hair great Not rated yet
I used apple cider vinegar on my hair when I had dandruff and it cured it.
My hair was always thick and hard to comb but when I used acv, it …
ACV healed my scalp! Not rated yet
For some reason, I tend to get acne like breakouts in my scalp. Pimples, sore spots, itching, dandruff, etc.
I read about the benefits of ACV …
Definitely feel a difference! (with the ACV Rinse) Not rated yet
I did try the ACV rinse.
I used the Bragg's unfiltered Raw ACV. I used a glass quart bottle and used spring instead of distilled because that …
Detoxing for hair loss Not rated yet
At the age of 38, I went on birth control pills, had a huge amount of stress, and then moved from Europe to the US all within 6 months.
My hair …
No more nappy curls thanks to ACV !!! Not rated yet
I have really thick, dry hair. Very difficult to manage and prone to dandruff.
I prefer long hair to short hair but could never figure out what …
ACV got rid of oily hair Not rated yet
I use ACV as a rinse before shampooing...and it cured my hair from being so oily!
I love it!!!
And it still shines without the oily feeling. …
ACV Treated my Dandruff Not rated yet
I used ACV at full strength, left it on for only 30 seconds or so (strong smell, and it was slightly burning my scalp, fingers and back) and then …
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