There is more to taking care of ones appearance than a great shave - even if a great shave goes a long way - and one problem many have is dry scalp. Or, put bluntly, dandruff... I suffer from it from time to time - usually in the summertime - but have found a cheap way to deal with it that works wonders for me.
First step is to get some gloves out... because you should go pick yourself a big bundle of stinging nettle leaves. Fresh leaves are best - or so my sources say - and you going to need half a liter of so of packed leaves (that's a pint or so for those who haven't gone metric yet...). Grab an enameled or stainless steel pot and put the leaves in, then add about a half liter of water - distilled or bottled water is ideal, but tap water should work fine unless you got very hard water. Bring to a boil, then pull of the heat and let sit until it's cool.
Once it's cooled down to room temperature you can simply strain the leaves out and transfer the infusion to a plastic or glass container. Used as a rinse when washing ones hair should help against dandruff - I also mix a little with the shampoo to work it into my scalp. Excess infusion keeps well in the fridge by the way, so you can make a large batch early in the season and keep all summer.
In addition to helping with dandruff, nettle is also commonly held to promote glossy hair - which apparently is why some farmers adds it to the cattle-feed. Nettle tea - preferably with a sweetener - is traditionally considered to be good against many ailments, both internal and external, among them disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, locomotor system, skin, cardio-vascular system, hemorrhage, flu, rheumatism and gout.. One should be careful with drinking too much though; nettle extracts can cause increased testosterone levels, and have been used by bodybuilders to achieve that effect.
First step is to get some gloves out... because you should go pick yourself a big bundle of stinging nettle leaves. Fresh leaves are best - or so my sources say - and you going to need half a liter of so of packed leaves (that's a pint or so for those who haven't gone metric yet...). Grab an enameled or stainless steel pot and put the leaves in, then add about a half liter of water - distilled or bottled water is ideal, but tap water should work fine unless you got very hard water. Bring to a boil, then pull of the heat and let sit until it's cool.
Once it's cooled down to room temperature you can simply strain the leaves out and transfer the infusion to a plastic or glass container. Used as a rinse when washing ones hair should help against dandruff - I also mix a little with the shampoo to work it into my scalp. Excess infusion keeps well in the fridge by the way, so you can make a large batch early in the season and keep all summer.
In addition to helping with dandruff, nettle is also commonly held to promote glossy hair - which apparently is why some farmers adds it to the cattle-feed. Nettle tea - preferably with a sweetener - is traditionally considered to be good against many ailments, both internal and external, among them disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, locomotor system, skin, cardio-vascular system, hemorrhage, flu, rheumatism and gout.. One should be careful with drinking too much though; nettle extracts can cause increased testosterone levels, and have been used by bodybuilders to achieve that effect.