Herbal Teas and Flowers for People with Trichotillomania
About a year ago I started drinking herbal teas as a way to stay healthy. I began just by googling the benefits of different teas that I saw on Amazon. I started purchasing the ones I thought would help me with my hair health and then went on to buy teas that I knew would help with my skin and mental health – ALL of which affect my trichotillomania.
Hair health is just one part of this disorder, skin health and mental well-being are the other two parts. I started drinking the teas and also using them as a hair soak/rinse. I buy the teas in bulk loose so that I can drink them internally or use them externally. You get more tea that way for your money and it lasts a long time.
Nettle Leaf
The one herb that kept coming up over and over again for hair (and overall well-being) was Nettle leaf. That was the first one that I purchased, I remember because I bought a giant bag of it not realizing how much I had purchased. I now had a year’s supply of Nettle Leaf!
The Nettle Leaf is probably the most important of all the herbal teas I’ve been taking in regards to hair health and hair regrowth. There’s a long list of health benefits for Nettle Leaf (also known as Stinging Nettle) and it can be taken in tea form or used as a HAIR RINSE! Since I bought a HUGE bag of it, I’ve been drinking it daily and I’ve been using it on my hair too.
Dandelion Tea
The second tea I bought pretty close to the same time was Dandelion Root tea because I read about all the benefits that it had for my overall well-being and I felt like I had to pretty much get that one too. I went down a rabbit hole on Google of the benefits of Dandelion Root and I couldn’t resist grabbing that one too.
Dandelion is rich in Vitamins A, B, C and E! It contains choline, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, biotin, potassium, and calcium which are important for stronger, healthier hair.
It stimulates hair growth when used internally in tea and externally in a hair rinse. It’s very soothing on the scalp and relieves itchiness and irritation. It calms my hair inflamed hair follicles when I run it through my hair while it’s still warm.
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
During my pregnancy, I kept with the two teas above but I added Red Raspberry leaf to the mix because of all the benefits to women’s health. It relieves my PMS Symptoms almost to the point that I don’t even realize my period is coming. PMS has always contributed to my hair pulling and this tea has been remarkable for relief.
Calendula Flower
This is a dried flower, it looks almost like a dandelion This flower is something I’ve been adding to my herbal teas for overall skin health. The flowers contain fatty acids that moisturize and help the skin to absorb more nutrients and hold water longer.
Inflammation can cause a whole host of skin problems, including breakouts, sensitivity, and collagen breakdown. Calendula flowers are an anti-inflammatory that can help relieve these issues from the inside out. This flower has become one of my favorite things to add to my tea mixes and hair rinses. I buy it dry and in bulk on Amazon in order to get more for my money.
Organic Nettle LeafOrganic Dandelion RootOrganic Calendula FlowersOrganic Red Raspberry Leaf
How I Make My Herbal Teas
- I add all of the above herbs and flowers to a glass jar and mix them up.
- I then use my metal tea ball to scoop a cup of tea out of the glass jar and place it in my teacup.
- I boil my water in my tea kettle and then pour the hot water over the tea ball and let the tea steep.
- I drink all the tea together in one cup.
How I Make My Herbal Rinse for My Hair
- I add all the teas above to a pot of boiling water and I let them boil for about 7-10 minutes.
- I then strain the herbs and flowers with a strainer into a large bowl.
- I let the herbal water cool to a tolerable temperature for my head.
- I then do one of two things depending on how much time I have: I rinse the herbal water through my hair (especially in the spots that are irritated) when I’m short on time OR I add it to bath water and I will let my head and scalp soak in it.
The rinses really help stop the urges to pull and leave my hair healthy and clean afterward.
Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon Balm, and Passion Flower
One of the biggest triggers for my hair pulling is my nerves and my sleep. These four herbs and flowers combined have been very effective in calming me and also promoting better sleep. I bought all four of these herbs and flowers at the same time in bulk on Amazon.
I mix all four of them together in a glass jar and make my own tea from them with a tea ball. I do not mix these teas with the four above, these teas are separate and I only use them at night because they relax me and make me kinda sleepy.
I was using valerian root too but it was giving me really bad headaches. So use caution with that one.
Chamomile TeaOrganic LavenderLemon Balm HerbOrganic Passion Flower Extract
For a long time, I never realized how healthy herbal teas were, I wish I had known in my 20s or even 30s because I’ve noticed so many improvements to my overall appearance, especially when it comes to my hair, skin, mood, and sleep. I highly suggest researching herbal teas for your own health because there are so many benefits that are easily consumed.
