Baldness

Rub the head night and morning with a decoction of boxwood. One ounce to a pint of water, boil for a quarter of an hour in a covered vessel, cool and strain, add an ounce and a half of Eau de Cologne or lavender water to make it keep.

Or: A valuable stimulant to promote the growth of the hair is made as follows:- Eau de Cologne 2 ounces, tincture of cantharides 2 drachms, oil of rosemary 10 drops. To be rubbed on the bald part every night.

Source: Fray’s Golden Recipes for the use of all ages, E. Fray

For Thickening The Hair

To one ounce of Palma Christi oil, add a sufficient quantity of bergamot or lavender to scent it. Apply it to the parts where it is most needed, brushing it well into the hair.

Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley

Ammoniacal Pomatum for Promoting the Growth of Hair

Take almond oil, quarter of a pound; white wax, half an ounce; clarified lard, three ounces; liquid ammonia, a quarter fluid ounce; otto of lavender, and cloves, of each one drachm. Place the oil, wax and lard in a jar, which set in boiling water; when the wax is melted, allow the grease to cool till nearly ready to set, then stir in the ammonia and the perfume, and put into small jars for use. Never use a hard brush, nor comb the hair too much. Apply the pomade at night only.

Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie

Loss of Hair

The most simple remedy for loss of hair, is friction to the scalp of the head, using for the purpose an old tooth-brush, or one of which the bristles have been softened by soaking in boiling water. The shape of the instrument adapts it to be inserted readily and effectually between the hair, where it should be rubbed backwards and forwards over the space of an inch or so at a time. In addition to the friction, which should be used once or twice a day, the head may be showered once a day with cold water, carefully drying it with soft, spongy towels.

Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley

Arnica Hair Wash

When the hair is falling off and becoming thin, from the too frequent use of castor, Macassar oils, &c., or when premature baldness arises from illness, the arnica hair wash will be found of great service in arresting the mischief. It is thus prepared: take elder water, half a pint; sherry wine, half a pint; tincture of arnica, half an ounce; alcoholic ammonia, 1 drachm — if this last named ingredient is old, and has lost its strength, then two drachms instead of one may be employed. The whole of these are to be mixed in a lotion bottle, and applied every night to the head with a sponge. Wash the head with warm water twice a week. Soft brushes only must be used during the growth of the young hair.

Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie

Hair Invigorator

Bay rum two pints, alcohol one pint, castor oil one ounce, carb. ammonia half an ounce, tincture of cantharides one ounce. Mix them well. This compound will promote the growth of the hair and prevent it from falling out.

Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette

Loss of Hair

Hair is preserved by onion-juice and brandy, rubbed in well. Or, take one part cantharides powder, to eight of alcohol, carefully mixed; and well rubbed into the roots of the hair.

Source: Valuable Receipts, J.M. Prescott

Rosemary for the Hair

Rosemary is considered an excellent remedy to increase the growth of the hair. Get a small quantity of the leaves and boil them over a quick fire for a few minutes, strain, add a little cocoanut oil and a few drops of verbena.

Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts

Hair Restorer

One ounce of tincture of cantharides, one ounce of spirits of rosemary, four ounces of olive oil. Well shake every time it is used, and rub a small quantity on the skin of the head every evening before going to bed, and in the morning, after the head has been well washed with cold water, and dried.

Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts

Baldness – To Cure

One pound pressed hemlock bark. Break in pieces and put into a 3-quart tin-pail. Pour over it 2 quarts boiling soft water, and simmer slowly. When reduced to 3 pints set it aside to cool and pour off the clear liquid for use. Wet the whole scalp thoroughly four or five times a day, rubbing gently with the finger-ends. When the scalp gets healthier and stronger use more friction. One package will generally be all that is required to tone up the scalp. it will not only prevent the hair from falling out, but will bring a new growth of hair if there are any hair bulbs at all.

Source: Mrs Owens’ Cook Book and Useful Household Hints, Frances Owens