Olive Oil and Honey Hair Treatment

Olive oil and honey are healthy products for your hair and health. Honey has been used for centuries as a beauty treatment in skin and hair preparations. Olive oil is known for its many healthful uses in diet and beauty. Combine the two in a recipe for an olive oil and honey hair treatment that is easy to use and benefits your hair.

History of Honey

Honey and the honey bee have been considered valuable for thousands of years. The Egyptians valued honey as an offering to the gods as well as an ingredient in their embalming agent, according to the Honey Association. Beekeeping was common among the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. The earliest account of beehive keeping was found in the 2400 B.C. sun temple, near Cairo. Cleopatra was known to bathe in milk and honey and Poppea, wife of the Roman Emperor Nero, used milk and honey on her face, as noted by the Honey Association.

Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil is good for conditioning and dandruff control, according to The Olive Source. It is made up of monounsaturated fatty acids with strong antioxidants, and vitamins A and E, which help moisturize and repair skin and hair.

Benefits of Honey

Honey is a humectant; it attracts and holds moisture, explains the National Honey Board. This makes it a good choice for damaged or dry hair. It also has antimicrobial properties that make it an effective cleanser, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Amsterdam and published in the March 2010 issue of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology journal. Honey was shown to be effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria.

Recipe

The National Honey Board recommends using a honey and olive oil hair conditioner. Take 1/2 cup honey and mix it with 1/4 cup olive oil. If needed, warm the mixture in a microwave for 15 seconds. Use your fingers to apply a small amount of the mixture on damp hair, working it through the strands, down to the ends. Cover your hair with a towel and leave the mixture on for 30 minutes. Shampoo well, rinse and dry as normal.

Types

Olive oil is available in many different grades and prices. Extra virgin olive oil is considered the highest quality and a good choice for condiments and beauty products. It is the least processed and comes from the first pressing of the olives. This oil is high in antioxidants and bitter to the taste, as noted by The Olive Oil Source. Virgin olive oil is from the second pressing, and pure oil undergoes some filtering and refining. Extra light olive oil is filtered further, leaving a much lighter flavor.

Honey is also available in varying grades and sources. The color and flavor depend on the source of the bee's nectar or blossoms used to make the honey. They are usually not processed and will be different shades of amber. Choose a pure honey for your hair treatment.