Use plant powders to add shine, strength, and scalp care without harsh chemicals. This guide shows you how to pick herbs, mix, apply, and rinse for best results.
Who this helps?
- Dry, dull, or frizzy hair
- Breakage or split ends
- Oily, itchy, or flaky scalp
- Heat or color damage
- Sensitive scalp
What these treatments do?
- Strengthen the hair shaft
- Add slip and shine
- Calm the scalp
- Reduce breakage
- Improve manageability
Common herbs and what they do
- Cassia obovata “Neutral henna”: Strength, slip, shine. No color change on most hair. May add a light golden tone on gray.
- Henna (Lawsonia inermis): Strength, gloss, warm tones. Does not lighten.
- Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria): Depth and cool tone. Use alone for blue-black on dark bases or as step two after henna for gray coverage.
- Amla: Volume at the root, curl definition, scalp balance.
- Shikakai: Gentle cleansing. Slip. Helps detangle.
- Bhringraj: Scalp care and the feel of thickness.
- Neem: Clarifying and scalp comfort.
- Hibiscus: Conditioning and soft feel.
How often to use?
- Deep conditioning with cassia or blends. Every 2–4 weeks.
- Neutral gloss between colors. Every 1–2 weeks.
- Two-step henna + indigo for gray coverage. Every 4–6 weeks or as roots appear.
Patch and strand tests
- Patch test: Mix a teaspoon of paste. Place behind the ear. Wait 24 hours.
- Strand test: Mix a tablespoon of paste. Apply to a small hidden section. Rinse and dry. Check feel and shade before a full treatment.
Preparation
- Wash hair. Skip conditioner.
- Towel dry to damp.
- Protect skin with a thin layer of balm around the hairline.
- Wear gloves. Cover your shoulders.
Base mixing ratios: Start with these. Adjust water to a yogurt texture.
- Cassia treatment
100 g cassia + 250–300 ml warm water
Optional slip: 1 tsp aloe gel or 1 tsp light oil - Henna gloss
50–100 g henna + warm water to yogurt
Optional: 1–2 tsp amla for cooler tone and volume - Indigo step
100 g indigo + 220–260 ml warm water
Mix right before use. Let rest 5–10 minutes only. - Scalp-care blend
50 g cassia + 10 g neem + 10 g amla + warm water
Optional: 1 tsp honey for moisture
Application steps
- Section hair into 4–6 parts.
- Apply paste from roots to ends with a brush or gloved hands.
- Comb gently with a wide-tooth comb for even coverage.
- Pile hair on top. Cover with a cap.
Processing times
- Cassia conditioning: 30–60 minutes
- Henna gloss: 45–90 minutes
- Indigo: 30–60 minutes
- Scalp-care blend: 20–45 minutes
Rinse and aftercare
- Rinse with lukewarm water until it runs almost clear.
- Do not shampoo for 24 hours. Let the treatment settle.
- Day 2. Cleanse and condition lightly if needed.
- Use a light leave-in on mids and ends.
Two-step gray coverage quick guide
Step 1 Henna
- Mix henna with warm water. Rest 30–60 minutes.
- Apply 60–90 minutes. Rinse with water.
Step 2 Indigo
- Mix indigo fresh. Rest 5–10 minutes.
- Apply 30–60 minutes. Rinse with water.
- Wait 24–48 hours before shampoo.
Sizing guide
- Short hair: 30–50 g
- Neck length: 100 g
- Shoulder length: 150–200 g
- Mid back: 200–300 g
- Waist length: 300–400 g
Do and don’t
Do
- Test first
- Protect towels and counters
- Store powders cool and dry
- Work on clean hair
Don’t
- Expect lightening. Plant dyes do not lift color.
- Mix indigo hours ahead. It loses strength.
- Shampoo right after rinsing. Wait until the next day.
Troubleshooting
- Feels dry
Add 1 tsp aloe gel or 1 tsp light oil to the mix. Shorten time by 10–15 minutes. - Uneven results
Use more paste. Saturate each section. Comb through once. - Strong herbal scent
Add a drop or two of lavender or rosemary essential oil. Do a patch test first. - Color too warm after henna
Follow with indigo for 20–30 minutes to cool the tone. - Residue after rinse
Rinse longer. Then use a light conditioner the next day.
Safety notes
- Avoid the eyes.
- Do not use on broken scalp skin.
- Leave 2–4 weeks between harsh chemical services and plant treatments.
- Avoid metallic-salt dyes in your history.
Recommended products
- Henna King Hair & Scalp Conditioning Treatment
- Pure Henna
- Indigo Dark Blue
- Manly Guy Sunshine Light Blonde (neutral cassia)
- Application brush, shower cap, and gloves
FAQ | Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will these lighten my hair?
A: No. They deposit and condition only.
Q: How long do results last?
A: Conditioning lasts 2–4 weeks. Color from henna or indigo lasts 4–6 weeks and fades with washing.
Q: Can I add yogurt or oils?
A: Yes in small amounts for slip. Test a strand first.
Q: Safe over chemical dye?
A: Often yes. Strand test first. Avoid if you used metallic-salt dyes.
Q: Can I mix henna and indigo in one bowl?
A: You can for brown tones. For gray coverage or maximum depth, do two steps.