Basil is one of the oldest aromatic herbs, now found in gardens or home plots, and it has healing and health properties both in food and in home remedies, such as this rinse for strengthening hair.

There are significant botanical differences among various types of basil plants. Among the many varied species of basil, we find sweet basil, lemon basil, Italian or curly basil, holy basil, Thai basil, and lettuce leaf basil.

Basil is often used as a home remedy to relieve nausea and insect bites, and in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and other holistic medicine systems, it is a very important element.

The variety called holy basil is rich in antioxidants and helps detoxify the body; furthermore, studies have shown that it can protect the body against toxic chemicals, so this basil and herb rinse will work very well for your hair.

This nutritive herbal hair rinse will nourish the scalp for healthier and stronger hair. Apple cider vinegar softens and cleanses without stripping the natural oils from the scalp, and with regular use, hair may even grow.

To prepare it, we will use herbs such as horsetail, which contains high amounts of silica to strengthen hair; lavender, which soothes inflammation on the scalp and increases circulation for better growth, just like rosemary; nettle, which makes hair naturally stronger and more vibrant.

Finally, basil plays a special role. Like the other herbs, basil nourishes the scalp, but it also helps eliminate toxins and heavy metals, and promotes hair growth as it is rich in vitamins A and C, flavonoids, and polyphenolic acids.

To make the rinse you will need:

• 1/4 cup of nettle leaves
• 1/4 cup of horsetail
• 3 tablespoons of dried basil
• 4 tablespoons of dried lavender
• 3 tablespoons of dried rosemary
• 3 to 3 1/2 cups of apple cider vinegar

In a glass jar with a lid, place and mix all the dried herbs. Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar, leaving a couple of cm before it reaches the top. Seal it well and shake vigorously. Let the mixture steep in a cool, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks, shaking it every day.

Once the time has passed, strain and remove the herbs with cheesecloth or an old clean t-shirt fabric and pour the liquid into a clean glass jar. To use it, after washing your hair as usual, mix equal parts of the herbal hair rinse and water in an empty glass jar or another container. If you have short hair, use a quarter cup of each, half a cup of each for shoulder-length hair, and 1 cup of each for long hair. You can use it once a week and leave it in without rinsing or rinse it briefly with water.