Saturday, November 12, 2011

My "Homemade" Herbal Shampoo

                 Herb Salt

So, due to the fact I love trying new products I tend to buy various shampoos and conditioners which I love for a short time and then realize they've left my hair feeling waxy due to build up. And inevitably I end up going back to my trusty "homemade" version. I use quotes on homemade because I technically still use shampoo, I just dilute it a whole bunch because most shampoos are too strong anyway. Keep reading, it's pretty awesome...


What you will need:


1/2 a cup of shampoo of your choice 
I am currently using Giovanni Organic Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo, but any shampoo will work. Just think of what you want the end product to smell like.


1/2 a cup of vinegar 
Because I also make all my house hold cleaning products, I like to get a large 5 Liter bottle of vinegar from Costco and then add herbs and/or citrus fruits to it to not only mask the vinegar smell, but to up the cleaning power. With the one I am currently using I've added orange, lemon and grapefruit peels. During the summer every time I ate an orange, lemon or grapefruit I'd just add the peel to the vinegar bottle until it couldn't hold any more. LOL. 


About 1 cup of dried herbs. 
For this one I am using a combination of thyme, rosemary and parsley. You can also use fresh herbs if you'd like.


32 oz. of water


A 1 quart mason jar with lid
Really any 1 quart glass jar with a lid will work. If you don't have a mason jar on hand, the next time you make spaghetti save the jar and lid.


A 32 oz. bottle to store it in
I am currently using a recycled Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap bottle, but any empty bottle works. 


A funnel is optional but, makes for less mess 


First, boil the water and add your herbs to your glass jar. Then cover herbs with boiling water and put the lid on. Let this sit until cooled. There's no exact time frame for how long you let this sit. Sometimes I'll wait until it's just cool to the touch and sometimes I'll leave it all day because I am doing other things. After, add shampoo, vinegar and herbal infusion to your bottle and you are all ready to wash your hair. No need for conditioner because it will leave your hair nice and soft.


Why it works:


Vinegar removes build up and residue from the hair and closes the cuticles. Since residue coats the hair causing it to look dull and weighing it down, removing the residue leave your hair looking shiner and more voluminous. By closing the cuticles the hair will slide more easily and will leave you with fewer tangles. It's also a natural softening agent. Win- win, right?


Herbs are also great for your hair and different herbs have different effects on the hair. Thyme is good for oily hair, dandruff and mild hair loss. Rosemary is good for all hair types and problems and acts as a tonic and conditioner for your hair. It gives luster and body, helps with dandruff and brings out the warmth, richness and depth of dark colored hair. And has also been know to stimulate the scalp, prevent hair loss and help to regrow hair. Parsley enriches hair color and gives a nice luster to the hair. 


Other herbs to use:


Black Tea: Stimulates hair growth, reduces shedding, brings out dark tones, highly astringent. Not good for every day use due to it's low pH level.
Burdock: Great for thinning hair, dry, irritated scalp, dandruff and seborrhea.
Calendula: Conditions and brings out blonde and/or red tones. It also has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. 
Catnip: 
Promotes healthy hair growth.
Chamomile:
 A healing and soothing herb to soften hair, soothe the scalp, lighten, condition and stimulate growth. It also has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cinnamon: Brings out red tones. Cinnamon shows anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It increases restricted blood flow demonstrating mild anticoagulant properties.
Green Tea: Stimulates hair growth, reduces shedding, somewhat astringent. Less acidic and therefore more suitable for every day use.
Horsetail: Helps brittle hair due to its high silica content.
Lavender: Useful for all hair types it stimulates hair growth and degreases. It also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities.

Nettle: Conditions, improves color and texture, helps with dandruff, irritated scalp and dry scalp. Also, brings out dark tones. And stimulates circulation in the scalp. Excellent for use during winter.
Peppermint: Stimulates the scalp. Peppermint is lesser known for its properties as an anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, (although is has been demonstrated in numerous studies).
Plantain: Great for dry, irritated scalp, dandruff and seborrhea.
Red Clover:
Brings out red tones.

Sage: Traditionally used to restore color to graying hair, excellent for weak hair. Sage is mildly anti-fungal, as well a good anti-septic and astringent.
Saw Palmetto: Good for thinning hair and hair loss. 
White Tea: Stimulates hair growth, reduces shedding, mildly astringent. Less acidic and therefore more suitable for every day use.
Witch Hazel: Leaves and bark are astringent and cleanse oily hair.
Yarrow: Good for oily hair, stimulates circulation, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, astringent and it's also been said that yarrow can restore your natural hair color for people with graying hair.
Yucca: Navajos swear by yucca root to prevent hair loss and to cure dandruff.



I really love experimenting with this basic recipe by using different scented shampoo's, herbal vinegar and herbal infusions. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy! xoxo


** Photo was taken from Here

33 comments:

  1. wow amazing post :)

    your newest follower Michelle
    http://pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com

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  2. I have to try this... I had never thought about making herbal shampoo myself...

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  3. interesting post. you have really nice blog. :)
    check out of mine and if you like it follow me and i will do the same

    www.stylemakessence.blogspot.com

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  4. Hi lovely, very interesting post!!!
    Have a nice day!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela

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  5. I've never made homemade herbal shampoo ever. This is definitely a must-try, I'd love to pamper my hair with all-natural stuff. Thanks for sharing!

    Cheers,

    Wi
    A Single Girl's Musings

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  6. Fabulous idea! lately I have been really obsessed with hair products!
    This is definitely an idea to try very soon ;)

    See you!

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  7. This is brilliant! I've been struggling to find a shampoo that is nice to my hair and I think this might just to the trick!

    lovely blog, following!

    jo from slowcatharsis.blogspot.com

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  8. wow, that picture is so beautiful!
    X

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  9. Never heard of this before, sounds great, might have to try it out!
    http://zozeze.blogspot.com/
    xo

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  10. Cool! I like the idea of doing my own shampoo! I will try it some day! and I'm your new follower!
    xoxo
    Mónica

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  11. nice idea this post! ;)

    check out my blog!

    http://livinglovingtastinglife.blogspot.com/

    V.

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  12. This sounds so interesting that I am going to HAVE to try it.

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    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  13. This is amazing!! thanks for the tip!


    http://fashion-gourmet.blogspot.com/

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  14. what a great idea, i'll have to try it!
    cool blog too btw, now a follower :)
    xx

    follow back? eye_spy

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  15. wow!!! i need to try!)

    http://lazyheels.blogspot.com/

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  16. Great idea that I will try! Have a lovely week. <3<3

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  17. I follow u, follow me please :)


    kiss
    Erika
    My Free Choice


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  18. thank you!
    I like you blog, it's a kind of special and very interessing to read!:-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's such a fantastic post! Absolutely love it and am now going to copy the recipe to try it out for myself. Thanks for the list of herbs too, really great advice. Have a lovely week xo

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  20. PS: I've shared this on my FB page because I like it so much ;-)

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  21. Lovely blog!!! Check out my blog and follow if you like!I'll follow yours back! Feel free to leave a comment as well! :)

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    Kisses!

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  22. wow...I'll have to try this out :)

    http://thetinycloset.blogspot.com/

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  23. great post! this is def something i'd like to try out!!

    xo,Natalie

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  24. Thanks for sharing this,
    I really hate it when my hair turns waxy because of buildup.

    This is also interesting...
    gotta try it.

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  25. love the post :P You are really original and creative :P

    dark--passion.blogspot.com

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  26. We are totally going to make your shampoo recipe! Thanks!

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  27. That's so cool. I have to try it :)

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  28. Such a lovely post, is so interesting!!

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  29. very nice post!!! creative and intelligent one,too. having a homemade herbal shampoo is one of the best product we could ever have because its pure natural... love your blo..following you now, hope you could visit my blog too.. kissess!!!

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  30. awesome, got to try it!!! Stop by my blog :)

    xo Emma

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  31. Oh my. I am SO happy you have posted this!!

    ReplyDelete