How to Make Paste Shampoo From Fresh Hibiscus Flowers and Leaves

I have worked as a beauty therapist, a freelance makeup artist, and a retail store manager for a fashion, beauty, and crafts store.

Did You Know a Flower Is Good for Your Hair?

Do you have the gorgeous Hibiscus growing in your garden? Did you know that the flowers and leaves may be used to clean your hair and make it incredibly soft and silky?

It was news to me, and this transformation from Hibiscus flowers and leaves to a paste shampoo can be easily done at home in a few minutes. If you are fortunate to have one of the 200 plus varieties of Hibiscus growing in your garden, why not give this a try! It is all natural, works wonders on your hair and is gentle enough to use on children.

In this article, we'll explore:

1. facts about Hibiscus leaves and flowers
2. how to turn them into a shampoo paste for your hair
3. other incredible benefits from Hibiscus

Information on Hibiscus Flowers

• The Hibiscus is a genus of plant that is part of the Malvaceae Family and is native to the warm, temperate tropical and sub tropical regions of the world.
• They can be found in abundance growing in India, Malaysia, Hawaii, Florida, Australia and Costa Rica to name a few.
• The big flowers are a trumpet shape consisting of 5 or more petals.
• Very versatile, these flowers have varieties that are small trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials and are widely grown in containers for their wonderful exotic looks.
• Ranging from soft tones to bold showy vibrant petals they cover a spectrum of colourings in White, Yellow, Peach, Orange, Red, Pink and Purple. Colourings may often be a two tone effect which adds great interest to these highly sought after flowering plants that are both big and bold whilst being very delicate.
• The leaves provide a stunning contrast to the extravagant flowers and are dark green and shiny in appearance which only emphasizes the beauty in the exotic flowers.

How to Make Hibiscus Paste Shampoo

You Will Need:

• 3-5 Hibiscus flowers
• 20 Hibiscus leaves
• ½ cup of water
• Blender
• Bowl
• Storage container

Method:

1. Gently wash the leaves
2. Remove the petals from the flower (approximately 15-25)
3. Put the petals and leaves in a bowl and soak in the half a cup of water for 15 minutes.
4. When they have softened up, remove from the bowl and put into the blender.
5. Blend until the mixture is smooth and it may then be transferred to a container to keep.
6. The Hibiscus paste shampoo has a sticky consistency and is now ready to use.
7. Shampoo the hair as normal.

Tips to Remember:

Don’t be tempted to add more water. Use only half a cup, as stated.

Only the petals of the flower are used.

The shampoo paste should be used within 4 – 5 hours.

Ayurveda and Hibiscus

Hibiscus Powder to Enhance Red Tones in Hair

Benefits and Uses of Hibiscus

• Hibiscus tea is extremely popular and effective as a natural diuretic and contains both vitamin C and minerals. Whilst further research is needed, studies done in 2008 by USDA showed the tea to have a significant effect in reducing blood pressure.
• The variety Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has been shown to have possibilities in cosmetic use due to its ability to absorb ultra violet radiation and the same variety has had a long standing tradition in Chinese medicine.
• Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine practiced in India and the Hibiscus is used extensively. The White Hibiscus and the Red Hibiscus are predominantly used for their medicinal properties. The roots are used in various lotions and potions to help cure coughs, hair loss and even the greying of hair. Medicated hair oil is made by boiling the petals with various spices.
• Hibiscus Cannibinus is used in paper making.
• Popular in Mexico, dried Hibiscus is eaten and can also be candied and served as a garnish.
• Natural food colourings are fast becoming a new way of using certain species of Hibiscus.
• In the Philippines, children love using Hibiscus for blowing bubbles. The flowers and leaves are crushed until the sticky juices are formed. By using a hollow Papaya stalk as a straw they are able to have fun blowing bubbles!
• The bark of the Hibiscus is used in making grass skirts and wigs.

Read More From Bellatory

How Much Do You Tip for Microblading?

How Much Do You Tip a Barber

How Much Should You Tip a Lash Tech?

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Suzanne Ridgeway

Comments

Mandira Banerjee kolkata India on March 23, 2014:

Hi! Very pleased to read the articles, it's so helpful.I just want to know can I use coconut oil mixing with hibiscus flowers and homemade hibiscud shampoo at the same sitting?o thanks.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 04, 2013:

Cheers flowers, yes I do enjoy flowers!

flowers on July 04, 2013:

I love flowers haha flowers are so pretty. Do you love flowers

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 17, 2012:

Hi MobyWho!

What lovely comments you gave me, I am truly touched, thank you so much! What a lovely idea to give your daughter, I feel very honoured and hope she approves of my photo selection! Delighted to know you will be writing more, I consider myself a newbie to this world of writing and have much to learn but I love it and write what I have an interest in or passion for. A fellow Irishwoman, excellent! For a little country we certainly get around! LOL Look forward to reading your works, thanks again! :-)

MobyWho from Burlington VT on November 17, 2012:

Loved your answers to Vespa! Will follow you, but first: My daughter-in-law is a photographer and hibiscus (hibiscii?) are her passion. I'm printing this Hub to give her on Thanksgiving. She uses "Hibiscus Hobby" as her name on photos. Meanwhile, you've inspired me to get active writing again! Thanks from an Irish descender - (is that a word?) It is now. : )

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 03, 2012:

Hi Jamie,

Thanks for stopping by! Hibiscus are gorgeous and if you have them locally lucky you! It is great to be able to use nature for some home remedies and hibiscus is such a great example. Hopefully you will get a chance to try it! Glad you enjoyed it :-)

Jamie Brock from Texas on November 03, 2012:

Hibiscus flowers are stunning.. I see the pink variety around here where I live but I had no idea they were good for the hair or had so many other great uses. Love that they can be used to bring out natural red tones in the hair. Thank you for sharing :)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 01, 2012:

Hi vespa!

Congrats on your interview! It was a really interesting one and great to get to know you more! Thanks for your comments here, glad you found some new bits of info on hibiscus! It is amazing what can be used around us!

Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on November 01, 2012:

I had no idea hibiscus can be used as shampoo. How fascinating, and especially with all the controversy surrounding sulfates in shampoo. I didn't know the plant creates a compound sticky enough to blow bubbles, either. There are so many fascinating and useful things around us. Thank you for opening our eyes to them!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 01, 2012:

Hi teaches!

Lucky Lucky you! You have the weather and climate there for these so do give them a try! Delighted you found interesting and useful! I have highlighted your pumpkin whoopie pie in my hub on creative gift ideas, I hope that is ok! Thanks for the continual support of my work :-)

Dianna Mendez on November 01, 2012:

I pushed the buttons on this creative, useful healthy beauty aid. I have these flowers in my back yard and can experiment with this over the next month. I love this post!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 01, 2012:

Hi vasmenon,

Welcome and thank you very much for your comments! You are so lucky having the gorgeous Hibiscus growing in India! Great to hear about your experience with the shampoo. Appreciate your reading:-)

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 01, 2012:

Hi Bill,

Many thanks my friend for the lovely complimentary comments! Hibiscus are such a beautiful and versatile flower I wish were native here. It is amazing how many natural things around us may be used in other ways. Really love hearing from you and appreciate all your support! Thanks for taking the time to read! Cheers for the votes and shares my friend! :-)

Vasanthan R Menon from India on November 01, 2012:

Suzie,

I am from India and from the times I can remember I am used to using hibiscus shampoos on our hair. Its such a lovely feeling,makes u feel so relaxed....Nice hub.

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on October 31, 2012:

Hi Suzie. I have always loved the Hibiscus. They are beautiful. I did not know that you could make shampoo from the flowers and leaves, how interesting. And Hibiscus tea, who knew?

Suzie, you are taking your already great writing to new levels, congratulations, so well deserved. Looking forward to your next hub.

VU, sharing everywhere, etc...

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on October 31, 2012:

Hi Denise,

Thanks very much for stopping by and commenting! Sorry if there was any confusion. It is a shampoo so used in the same way you would normally use your shampoo. Thanks for your suggestion and I clarified the method by adding this in. Appreciate your input and votes - hope you give it a try! :-)

Denise Handlon from North Carolina on October 30, 2012:

Wow! I can't take my eyes off of the colorful flowers-they're beautiful. My daughter has these growing in her backyard. So, let me see if I understand this, (you may want to add a piece after the blending the flowers) do I use it AFTER I shampoo or in place of shampoo? How long do I keep it on my hair?

Thanks. Rated up/I/U

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on October 30, 2012:

Hi btrbell,

Lovely to see you! Thanks very much for reading and commenting! Delighted you found helpful and interesting, it is amazing what you can make at home for hair! Stay tuned more to follow! Cheers for the votes :-)

Randi Benlulu from Mesa, AZ on October 30, 2012:

Great and beautiful ideas! What beautiful pictures! I am closing my eyes and feeling that tropical sun! Thank you! Up and awesome!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on October 30, 2012:

Hi Bill,

Next time you are in a greenhouse just slyly take a some petals and leaves! LOL Did I just advocate taking something without asking - never! Hibiscus are not available everywhere so admiring from afar is good!

Many thanks my dear friend and mega congrats again on your accomplishments! ;-)

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 30, 2012:

Well aren't you clever! It would be great if we grew these in our state, but the only place we see them is in greenhouses. Oh well, it is a wonderful idea and I love it.

Hope you are well!

bill

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on October 30, 2012:

Hi KerryAnita,

Thanks so much for commenting! How wonderful to have them in quantities growing, hope you enjoy making this shampoo! Appreciate your enthusiasm! :-)

KerryAnita from Satellite Beach, Florida on October 30, 2012:

This is a wonderful article! I have lots of hibiscus in my yard, so I am definitely going to try this:)