4 herbal hair treatments and rinses you can make at home

These hair treatments can be very costly if you buy them at the drugstore, but these herbal remedies can be made for less than a dollar each. And you'll be happy to know that they have all been thoroughly reviewed by experts.

• 10 ml (2 tsp) dried rosemary
• 10 ml (2 tsp) dried thyme
• 150 ml (2/3 c) boiling water
• 150 ml (2/3 c) cider vinegar

  1. Place the herbs in a heatproof ceramic bowl. Pour in the boiling water. Cover and allow to steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
  2. Strain the liquid into a clean, 300 millilitre (10 ounce) bottle that has a tight-fitting lid. Add the vinegar and shake. Store in a cool, dark place.
  3. After shampooing, rinse hair thoroughly and then massage a small amount of the herbal treatment into the scalp. Between shampoos, massage a small amount into the scalp before going to bed.

This is a rich hair dressing that provides sheen and elegance to tired hair. People with light-coloured hair will find it helps them get clean, honest-looking highlights that they might otherwise pay $40 to $50 for at a salon. It can also be used as a pressing oil for hair straightening.

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 10 ml (2 tsp) chamomile tea

  1. In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice and tea. To achieve blonde highlights, use an inexpensive straw hat with lots of holes in it. Pull strands of hair you would like to lighten through the holes with a crochet hook or pencil.
  2. Douse the strands with the rinse. Sit in the sun for 1 1/2 hours.

Mix up this cleansing rinse that will leave your blond hair shining for just pennies.

• 1 part lemon juice
• 4 parts water

  Combine lemon juice and water in a clean container. Shake to mix.Use as a final rinse after a regular shampoo. Don't rinse it out.

This homey, penny-pinching recipe is tailor-made for that moment when you need a quick pick-me-up or you haven't got time to wash your hair.

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) cornstarch or finely ground oatmeal

  1. Sprinkle small amounts of cornstarch or oatmeal onto the hair, lifting it up in sections to let the powder get to the scalp. Rub the shampoo through the hair to absorb excess oil.
  2. Comb the hair to remove tangles, then spend five to 10 minutes brushing (depending on the length and thickness of the hair) to remove all traces of the powder and prevent the suggestion of dandruff. Shake and blow on your hairbrush to clean it while you brush your hair.

Vinegar restores the proper acidic pH balance to hair. This rinse will remove remnants of shampoo and give your hair more shine.

• Pick up a bottle of raspberry or plum vinegar the next time you go shopping. Expect to pay about $3 for a 250 millilitre (eight ounce) bottle. It can do double duty in the kitchen.
• Use a few tablespoons for this recipe and the rest for salad dressings.
• Rather than preparing this rinse ahead of time, simply bring a clean 250 to 500 millilitre (one or two cup) measuring cup with 30 to 45 millilitre (two to three tablespoons) of scented vinegar into the shower.
• After shampooing, add water and rinse your hair with the solution. You can use this every time you shampoo, if you like.