nspired by Better Basics for the Home, by Annie B. Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

Here is a one-ingredient formula that may surprise you, but it has amazing nourishing and repairing properties for damaged hair.

If you spent too many hours this summer in a pool, in the sun, or getting tangles from harsh salty sea air–or if you have damage from bleaching or blow-drying–this sweet solution will help restore your hair to soft, shiny, bouncy glory.

The secret is blackstrap molasses. It may sound kind of sticky and gooey to use, but it smells sweet and it will give your damaged locks a nourishing treat.

Simply massage about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of blackstrap molasses (depending on the length of your hair) into your tresses, then cover with a shower cap and allow it to set as long as possible (for an hour or even more, if you can.)

Rinse with warm water.