DIY Slippery Elm and Marshmallow Root Hair Recipes

marshmallow root and slippery elm hair recipes

Both slippery elm and marshmallow root are becoming very popular ingredients in natural hair care. The reason they are so good for hair is because they contain a lot of mucilage.

Mucilage is a carbohydrate which turns into a gooey gel when it comes in contact with water.  It has various functions in plants, such as helping plants store water, lubricating roots and thickening cell membranes.  These same properties are also great for your hair.

 

Benefits of Slippery Elm and Marshmallow for Hair

  • Detangles: Because they are so slippery, marshmallow and slippery elm make great detanglers.
  • Thickens hair: The mucilage in the plants binds to proteins, causing your hair to get thicker.
  • Moistures hair: The mucilage retains water so it helps keep hair moist.
  • Prevents breaking: Because it adds slip and thickens hair, the plants can help prevent your hair from breaking.
  • Gives shine: Your hair will look shiny and healthy after applying marshmallow root and slippery elm.
  • Treats dandruff: The moisturizing and soothing properties of marshmallow and slippery elm are good for treating dandruff naturally.

 

Are Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm Good for Hair Growth?

Marshmallow root and slippery elm might help hair growth.  They contain lauric acid and amino acids which could improve scalp circulation. Iodine found in the plants may also help prevent hair loss.  However, these benefits are not proven.  The hair growth benefits of marshmallow root and slippery elm are more likely due to their ability to prevent breakage and thicken hair, thus making it appear as if you have more hair growth.

 

DIY Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm Hair Recipes

Making your own hair products from marshmallow root and slippery elm is really easy.  The only downside is that they should be kept in the fridge or will start to go bad within a week or so.

Don’t want to make your own? Shea Moisture makes a great anti-frizz detangler and also a leave-in conditioner, both of which contain slippery elm and marshmallow root. Jane Carter Solutions Curls to Go is an excellent detangler. And Curl Peace by Just for Me is a conditioner for natural hair with marshmallow root but not slippery elm.

 

Recipe 1: Simple Conditioner

This conditioner contains only marshmallow root and slippery elm.  If you only have one plant, you can just one – just double the amount.  The conditioner remains a liquid.  You can always add about ½ tsp. of xanthan gum to make a thicker conditioner.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp. marshmallow root
  • 1 Tbsp. slippery elm bark powder
  • 2 cups of water

Instructions:

  1. Put the marshmallow root and slippery elm powder in a small pot with the water.
  2. Let them sit for at least 20 minutes. You can let them sit overnight if you want.
  3. Heat the mixture on the stove.
  4. When it starts bubbling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Wait for it to cool.
  6. Strain into a shower-friendly container.
  7. To use, rub the mixture on your hair and scalp. Let it sit 5 minutes before rinsing.
The marshmallow root and slippery elm after simmering.
Straining the mixture into a bottle. See how gooey it is!

 

Recipe 2: Anti-Dandruff Hair Conditioner

This slippery elm and marshmallow root hair conditioner also contains apple cider vinegar, orange juice and other ingredients which are great for dandruff.  The oils and glycerin make it very moisturizing.  The final conditioner will be liquid.  If you want a thicker conditioner, add about ½ tsp. of xanthan gum to the mixture and shake.

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 Tbsp. Marshmallow root
  • 1-2 Tbsp. Slippery elm bark
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ oz argan oil, jojoba or avocado oil
  • ½ oz glycerin
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh orange juice (or add more ACV)
  • 15 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 2 Tbsp. of aloe vera
  • 20 drops vitamin e oil (optional)
  • ½ tsp. xanthan gum (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Put the marshmallow root and slippery elm powder in a small pot with the water.
  2. Let them sit for at least 20 minutes. You can let them sit overnight if you want.
  3. Heat the mixture on the stove.
  4. When it starts bubbling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Wait for it to cool. Then strain into a shower-friendly bottle.
  6. Add remaining ingredients to the bottle.
  7. Shake before using each time.
  8. Store in the fridge when not using.
  9. To use, leave on your hair for 5 minutes and then rinse.

 

Recipe 3: Detangler or Leave-in Conditioner

To make a detangler or leave-in conditioner from slippery elm and marshmallow, you need a higher ratio of water. Otherwise the goo becomes too thick and might leave a weird residue in your hair.  This recipe also calls for oil, vitamin E and glycerin, which will really help with dry hair.  Aloe vera helps reduce dandruff and is even more anti-frizz. You can omit these ingredients if you want though.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp marshmallow root
  • 1 tsp slippery elm bark powder
  • 3 cups of water
  • ½ oz. argan oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil
  • ½ oz. glycerin
  • 15 drops lavender essential oil
  • 2-3 Tbsp. aloe vera
  • 20 drops vitamin E oil

Instructions:

  1. Put the marshmallow root and slippery elm powder in a small pot with the water.
  2. Let them sit for at least 20 minutes. You can let them sit overnight if you want.
  3. Heat the mixture on the stove.
  4. When it starts bubbling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Wait for it to cool. Then strain into a spray bottle.
  6. Add remaining ingredients to the spray bottle.
  7. Shake before using each time.
  8. Store in the fridge when not using.
  9. To use, spray on hair before combing or brushing.

Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/mucilage
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/7/1066/pdf
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-marshmallow-root-skin-hair_n_55cb731ae4b0f1cbf1e6fcaa

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