clarifying+catnip=happy hair sunday

[twilight]

so yesterday, after having been avidly following the catnip thread, i decided to have a "hair day..." and WOW i am so happy with the results! i do not remember the last time my hair was so soft, slippy, and shiny.

here's what i did:
1) olive oil infused with amla (a few tbsp of powder left to sit in oil for weeks) as a scalp massage and a bit on the ends, left on for about 2 hours.
2) washed with clarifying shampoo: "american crew" men's peppermint cleanse - DH's and not my usual style, but it worked great! washed twice to get all the oil out.
3) slathered on catnip tea per ktani's instructions (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=476), bagged it, and sat in the warm bath for about 15-20 minutes before rinsing with clean water.
4) hair felt a tad bit tangly so i misted with rosemary tea + tiny bit ACV, then a few squirts of hibiscus tea. combed gently and air-dryed...

...and amazing hair followed. seriously.

i wish i could say for sure which piece of the puzzle made the difference! i can say it was either the catnip or the shampoo, because i the other parts (oil, rosemary, hibiscus) are normal routine and haven't affected my hair like this before.

TRY CATNIP! read the thread linked above for all the details.

note: my cat was interested in the tea (and my hair while it soaked) but not to the point of craziness or assault. lucky for me :p

note #2: if i had a pic to compare it to, i would post before/after shots. alas, i don't. sorry!

[ktani]

so yesterday, after having been avidly following the catnip thread, i decided to have a "hair day..." and WOW i am so happy with the results! i do not remember the last time my hair was so soft, slippy, and shiny.

here's what i did:
1) olive oil infused with amla (a few tbsp of powder left to sit in oil for weeks) as a scalp massage and a bit on the ends, left on for about 2 hours.
2) washed with clarifying shampoo: "american crew" men's peppermint cleanse - DH's and not my usual style, but it worked great! washed twice to get all the oil out.
3) slathered on catnip tea per ktani's instructions (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=476), bagged it, and sat in the warm bath for about 15-20 minutes before rinsing with clean water.
4) hair felt a tad bit tangly so i misted with rosemary tea + tiny bit ACV, then a few squirts of hibiscus tea. combed gently and air-dryed...

...and amazing hair followed. seriously.

i wish i could say for sure which piece of the puzzle made the difference! i can say it was either the catnip or the shampoo, because i the other parts (oil, rosemary, hibiscus) are normal routine and haven't affected my hair like this before.

TRY CATNIP! read the thread linked above for all the details.

note: my cat was interested in the tea (and my hair while it soaked) but not to the point of craziness or assault. lucky for me :p

note #2: if i had a pic to compare it to, i would post before/after shots. alas, i don't. sorry!

I am glad that you are so pleased.

A suggestion for next time or times.

You do not need to pre oil and clarify. Just make sure that your hair does not have residue on it.

Post shampoo, gently squeeze as much excess water from your hair that you can.

Apply catnip (my dilution is 1 very level (but well packed teaspoon of catnip) to just under 300 ml of boiled water)

Bag and time it for 1 hour. Catnip results, from my experience increase over time.

I neither use or need leave-ins or oils in addition to the catnip.

I am leaning toward but have not tried yet, to wash my hair with it (with no shampoo used before it). That is something else to try possibly.

That would, if I try it, require just applying catnip tea and working it through and rinsing it straight out, followed by the above routine for conditioning.

So far, I have only tried catnip as a second "shampoo", on very oily hair before applying more to colour/condition.

It worked beautifully.

[jojo]

Catnip is an excellent conditioner, as well as giving wonderful slip also prevents split ends. I love it!

[twilight]

my mistake, i did use your recipe, ktani: one TEASPOON, not tbsp. i mistyped that.

i oiled just because i had the time and inclination, but i wouldn't think it was necessary for the catnip process itself. i clarified for the same reason.

i am going to start using catnip on a regular basis as a final rinse after washing--thanks so much for that information. i know you leave it on for much longer but i don't usually have time to do that, considering how often i wash; i hope to try it as a full treatment one of these weekends, however.

thanks again for the info and i am curious to see whether it will help prevent splits for me, too!

[ktani]

my mistake, i did use your recipe, ktani: one TEASPOON, not tbsp. i mistyped that.

i oiled just because i had the time and inclination, but i wouldn't think it was necessary for the catnip process itself. i clarified for the same reason.

i am going to start using catnip on a regular basis as a final rinse after washing--thanks so much for that information. i know you leave it on for much longer but i don't usually have time to do that, considering how often i wash; i hope to try it as a full treatment one of these weekends, however.

thanks again for the info and i am curious to see whether it will help prevent splits for me, too!

Thank you for the clarification and you are most welcome.

You may want to try leaving the catnip on your hair longer one wash and CO'ing with catnip in between washing, if you wash your hair frequently. If you try that, you can just "wash and go" with the CO, rather than time it, because your hair would have been treated, when you shampooed and catnipped, previously.

[twilight]

very clever! i'm ready to try anything, catnip has me pumped! i don't usually CO b/c i don't use conditioner (shampoo bars+vinegar) but i have some cone-free lying around, so i will give it a go.

i've been reading over the honey lightening articles/thread from you also, and they are looking promising to help me lift some of the henndigo from my ends... eventually. thanks and i will definitely report if progress is made :)

[ktani]

very clever! i'm ready to try anything, catnip has me pumped! i don't usually CO b/c i don't use conditioner (shampoo bars+vinegar) but i have some cone-free lying around, so i will give it a go.

i've been reading over the honey lightening articles/thread from you also, and they are looking promising to help me lift some of the henndigo from my ends... eventually. thanks and i will definitely report if progress is made :)

Sorry, I was not clear. I meant "CO" with catnip as you would with a conditioner but instead of conditioner. Just straight catnip, to wash your hair and having previously timed and bagged it following whatever shampoo you use, just applying it, working through hair and scalp, and rinsing it out. I refer to this as a "shampoo" in the catnip thread but it is used instead of shampoo.

I tried this once myself, instead of using more conventionl shampoo, when my hair was very oily. I did it post 1 shampoo with my Sunsilk Lively Blonde and just prior to colour/conditioning. It worked out well. Whether I can use catnip as my only "shampoo" and colour/conditioner, remains to be seen.

[twilight]

right, that's more what i was thinking originally--using it like i use the indian herb teas as the wash instead of with a wash. definitely more my style and i suspect it will give good results.

i think i will do that tonight and see what happens...

[ktani]

right, that's more what i was thinking originally--using it like i use the indian herb teas as the wash instead of with a wash. definitely more my style and i suspect it will give good results.

i think i will do that tonight and see what happens...

The difference to me, is that if you have already deep conditioned with it, just prior to trying this (that is the key), you should not need to do that again, in between such conditioning. That way, the extra time spent on it, should be cut down considerably, instead of 1 hour each time it is used. It is just being used differently.

[twilight]

exactly.

and since i didn't technically "deep condition" with it--only 15-20 minutes--this will be an experiment on a slight variation of the idea :)

[ktani]

exactly.

and since i didn't technically "deep condition" with it--only 15-20 minutes--this will be an experiment on a slight variation of the idea :)

For maximum benefits from catnip, the longer conditioning time for me was/is important. It initially started out as more time for the colour to take but I discovered that I got much better conditioning too.

If this works out, and you can use catnip alone to wash your hair in between, it means that deep conditioning, would only be required once a week, unless catnip can replace conventional shampoo or whatever you do wash with.

[twilight]

i read about your experimentation with various times and i will definitely try a true 'deep treatment' next time i have a spare hour or so.

as it is i was blown away even by a few minutes, so i'm excited to see what happens with continuing use.

[ktani]

i read about your experimentation with various times and i will definitely try a true 'deep treatment' next time i have a spare hour or so.

as it is i was blown away even by a few minutes, so i'm excited to see what happens with continuing use.

I look forward to reading about how it goes for you and will stay tuned to this thread! Good luck.

I have not had a downside with catnip in almost 4 years of using it, only results that were less stellar than others.

[twilight]

catnip update!

last night i tried catnip as a self-contained CO (no prep treatments but hair needed a wash), left on for 5-7 minutes. it didn't really clean my hair and it seemed to leave a little bit of residue. bummer.

this morning i used it as a final rinse after washing (shampoo bar + acv rinse) and left it on about 5 minutes. my hair feels silkier than usual and it's pretty shiny.

catnip conclusions:

as a CO - :(

as a rinse - :)

as a semi-deep treatment (15 minutes w/ plastic) - :D

as a ktani-style deep treatment (1 hour or more w/ plastic) - TBD ??

i can't say for sure whether this has anything to do with catnip--i am pregnant so it's easily attributable to that fact--but my hair seems to be shedding SIGNIFICANTLY less since i did the catnip treatment on saturday night. throughout this pregnancy i have been shedding the same as always (no super-thickness for me) but all of a sudden it has slowed down dramatically.

could it be the catnip, or just changing hormones? i guess we'll find out over time.

[ktani]

catnip update!

last night i tried catnip as a self-contained CO (no prep treatments but hair needed a wash), left on for 5-7 minutes. it didn't really clean my hair and it seemed to leave a little bit of residue. bummer.

this morning i used it as a final rinse after washing (shampoo bar + acv rinse) and left it on about 5 minutes. my hair feels silkier than usual and it's pretty shiny.

catnip conclusions:

as a CO - :(

as a rinse - :)

as a semi-deep treatment (15 minutes w/ plastic) - :D

as a ktani-style deep treatment (1 hour or more w/ plastic) - TBD ??

i can't say for sure whether this has anything to do with catnip--i am pregnant so it's easily attributable to that fact--but my hair seems to be shedding SIGNIFICANTLY less since i did the catnip treatment on saturday night. throughout this pregnancy i have been shedding the same as always (no super-thickness for me) but all of a sudden it has slowed down dramatically.

could it be the catnip, or just changing hormones? i guess we'll find out over time.

I have posted in the catnip thread a few times about this and I posted about this in the cautions thread.

Catnip is contraindicated during pregnancy. I suggest that you put off more experimenting, however pleased you are, until after the baby is born.

In terms of washing/conditioning natural products, catnip and soapnuts should not be used during pregnancy, IMO. Both could be problematic and someone who is pregnant reported problems using soapnuts.

Here is the updated Health Canada profile on catnip.
"Contraindication(s): Do not use if you are pregnant (Brinker 2001; McGuffin et al. 1997)."
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/applications/licen-prod/monograph/mono_catnip-cataire-eng.php

[twilight]

I have posted in the catnip thread a few times about this.

Catnip is contraindicated during pregnancy. I suggest that you put off more experimenting, however pleased you are, until after the baby is born.

Both catnip and soapnuts should not be used during pregnancy, IMO. Both could be prolematic and someone who is pregnant reported problems using soapnuts.

Here is the updated Health Canada profile.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/applications/licen-prod/monograph/mono_catnip-cataire-eng.php

i had not heard that before. i just did some research myself and it looks like the internal use of catnip during pregnancy is discouraged by some, but actually encouraged by others... Susun Weed (herbalist queen of midwifery) offers that for women who miscarry easily:
"Mints - such as basil, catnip, rosemary, thyme, savory, peppermint, oregano, ground ivy, sage, and spearmint - contain essential oils that, used internally (or extracted into a tincture) may harm the kidneys and liver; the infusion, taken in large enough quantity, may stimulate uterine contractions."

as a rule (for almost all herbs), normal culinary quantities being ingested are not a problem; it is concentrated medicinal doses which are to be avoided. but i hope everyone does her own research before making decisions like that.

i haven't found anything mentioning a prohibition on the external use of a relatively-weak infusion of catnip, but of course: better safe than sorry. i'll hold off until the little one is safely out of the womb.

i'm interested in the soapnuts question too, but that is for another place and time.

thanks for the info again.

[ktani]

i had not heard that before. i just did some research myself and it looks like the internal use of catnip during pregnancy is discouraged by some, but actually encouraged by others... Susun Weed (herbalist queen of midwifery) offers that for women who miscarry easily:
"Mints - such as basil, catnip, rosemary, thyme, savory, peppermint, oregano, ground ivy, sage, and spearmint - contain essential oils that, used internally (or extracted into a tincture) may harm the kidneys and liver; the infusion, taken in large enough quantity, may stimulate uterine contractions."

as a rule (for almost all herbs), normal culinary quantities being ingested are not a problem; it is concentrated medicinal doses which are to be avoided. but i hope everyone does her own research before making decisions like that.

i haven't found anything mentioning a prohibition on the external use of a relatively-weak infusion of catnip, but of course: better safe than sorry. i'll hold off until the little one is safely out of the womb.

i'm interested in the soapnuts question too, but that is for another place and time.

thanks for the info again.

I agree on all points. However, when it comes to pregnancy there is no such thing, IMO, as too much caution regarding such products, especially when they can easily be replaced.

I doubt that the weak dilution you used is harmful but people here have been reporting internal adverse reaction symptoms lately, with the topical use of natural products.

You can check with your doctor about catnip, and I recommend that, before you continue with it, if you want to continue with it, right now.

I trust the sources I researched for catnip, and the ones both mellie and I found on soapnuts and their abortifacient properties (mellie found that specific information on soapnuts first), over other sources of information. They are very well referenced.

[twilight]

i do not doubt your sources (or your expertise) at all, i'm just stubbornly independent and wanted to see it for myself. :o

and i agree, there is definitely no such thing as too much caution--we are already bombarded on a daily basis with countless nasties over which we have no control, so why introduce "probably safe" chemicals/herbs/whatever on top of that?! not the brightest idea imo, either.

i appreciate you opening my eyes to questioning the herbs i use (even externally).

[ktani]

i do not doubt your sources (or your expertise) at all, i'm just stubbornly independent and wanted to see it for myself. :o

and i agree, there is definitely no such thing as too much caution--we are already bombarded on a daily basis with countless nasties over which we have no control, so why introduce "probably safe" chemicals/herbs/whatever on top of that?! not the brightest idea imo, either.

i appreciate you opening my eyes to questioning the herbs i use (even externally).

I am very glad to hear that because I feel exactly the same way. I want to see and know for myself. I always post sources so people can determine these things for themselves and read further. I do not want or expect anyone to just accept what I post without looking at the information and determining whether it is valid, or doing research on their own.

Catnip at drugs.com, 2009
"Pregnancy/Lactation
Documented adverse effects (emmenagogue and abortifacient effects). Catnip is contraindicated in pregnancy because of its uterine stimulant activities and may be contraindicated in certain other gynecological conditions because it could lead to excessive menstrual bleeding."
http://www.drugs.com/npp/catnip.html

And you are most welcome.

[scalawaggirl]

I'm going to post on the lengthy catnip thread but just popped in here to let you both know that I have done a 1+ hour deep treatment à la ktani's method (catnip tea applied to damp - not at all dripping - hair, bagged it and then put on my heat cap.

When I "wash" my hair, usually with CWC, I apply the catnip tea as a rinse. I've been using a no-cone conditioner only on the ends now but have mostly wanted to stay away from it due to my desire to allow the catnip tea to penetrate w/out interference.

Seems to be working extremely well. My hair is crazy soft and so much so that it reminds me mildly of the texture of rabbit fur (a stretch, yes, but I can't pinpoint anything else that can express it properly). Since my hair is 2b/M/C/iii, this is fairly significant because it normally does not feel "soft and light" but rather course/thick with some softness, if that makes any sense! I have been in the habit of oiling w/avocado oil layered w/another oil so that helped a lot with keeping my hair in decent shape but definitely weighed down. I do not have any split ends, thankfully.

However, w/the catnip tea, I am foregoing the oils for now as I want to give it a full chance to show benefits.

So, I do agree w/your findings about using it as a cleanser, rinse, and semi-deep treatment. Just wanted to add that the deep one is even better.

[ktani]

I'm going to post on the lengthy catnip thread but just popped in here to let you both know that I have done a 1+ hour deep treatment à la ktani's method (catnip tea applied to damp - not at all dripping - hair, bagged it and then put on my heat cap.

When I "wash" my hair, usually with CWC, I apply the catnip tea as a rinse. I've been using a no-cone conditioner only on the ends now but have mostly wanted to stay away from it due to my desire to allow the catnip tea to penetrate w/out interference.

Seems to be working extremely well. My hair is crazy soft and so much so that it reminds me mildly of the texture of rabbit fur (a stretch, yes, but I can't pinpoint anything else that can express it properly). Since my hair is 2b/M/C/iii, this is fairly significant because it normally does not feel "soft and light" but rather course/thick with some softness, if that makes any sense! I have been in the habit of oiling w/avocado oil layered w/another oil so that helped a lot with keeping my hair in decent shape but definitely weighed down. I do not have any split ends, thankfully.

However, w/the catnip tea, I am foregoing the oils for now as I want to give it a full chance to show benefits.

So, I do agree w/your findings about using it as a cleanser, rinse, and semi-deep treatment. Just wanted to add that the deep one is even better.

Your results are consistent with mine regarding the deep treatment. I find that catnip cleasnes my skin beautifully and it did cleanse my hair as a second "shampoo". It did not leave a residue as twilight indicated but I would rather that she check with her doctor first before continuing to experiment with catnip or as I suggested, stop using it, until after the baby is born.

[twilight]

yeah the "residue" i experienced could easily just have been my oily hair itself, since for me the catnip didn't cleanse effectively.

i am going to leave off the catnip treatments until i am a singular being once again (early may) :p

i hope others get good results, as i did, in the meantime!

[ktani]

yeah the "residue" i experienced could easily just have been my oily hair itself, since for me the catnip didn't cleanse effectively.

i am going to leave off the catnip treatments until i am a singular being once again (early may) :p

i hope others get good results, as i did, in the meantime!

I am sorry about that but this way you have something to look forward to, in terms you your hair and catnip is supposed to be for growth and shine. Post baby, when and if your hormones cause you to shed more, (catnip IMO, cannot counter hormones), at least it is something that will not add to that.

I have resisted trying catnip alone on my hair when it gets more oily. I do not know how well it may cleanse it but there is no harm in trying. I just have to choose the right time for that as my hair varies in how oily it gets, even with the same routine.

Catnip removes my silicone based sunblock and cleanses my sometimes oily skin, with no problem. I knew that my sunblock contained oil (technically silicone is not an oil) but I previously could not find an ingredient list online for it and I threw out the box it came in, ages ago.

It will be interesting to see how far I can push catnip as a "shampoo". I was able to push it as a hair colour and conditioner to unexpected levels, that I am very happy with.

[Demetrue]

Would it be possible to just bag the catnip on Twilight's ends but keep it off the scalp? When I was pregnant I experimented with getting highlights using a protective cap that kept any color far away from my scalp and I was fine.

[twilight]

Would it be possible to just bag the catnip on Twilight's ends but keep it off the scalp? When I was pregnant I experimented with getting highlights using a protective cap that kept any color far away from my scalp and I was fine.

that sounds pretty reasonable... but since i usually do these things in the bath, i would still end up absorbing some through my skin. the question is, i guess, how paranoid about catnip am i (and/or how lazy am i :))?

[ktani]

Would it be possible to just bag the catnip on Twilight's ends but keep it off the scalp? When I was pregnant I experimented with getting highlights using a protective cap that kept any color far away from my scalp and I was fine.

It would not be impossible but with catip tea being so liquid, it could be tricky.

[DragonLady]

the question is, i guess, how paranoid about catnip am i

For me, the question would be how paranoid for the baby I am. Honestly, I wouldn't chance it. You've only got a few months to go, and you'll thank yourself afterward for putting his health first.

If you do continue using it, and he has any problems at all, you'll feel guilty for the catnip, even if it wasn't the cause of the trouble.

[ktani]

For me, the question would be how paranoid for the baby I am. Honestly, I wouldn't chance it. You've only got a few months to go, and you'll thank yourself afterward for putting his health first.

If you do continue using it, and he has any problems at all, you'll feel guilty for the catnip, even if it wasn't the cause of the trouble.

I agree. However over cautious it may seem to others, I would rather err on the side of caution, especially when it comes to a baby, than not.

To me, that applies to any product, natural or otherwise that has cautions listed, or properties (like those attributed to soapnuts), from well referenced sources. For some natural products, there is limited information and conflicting traditional uses suggested. That is fine for discussion and experimentation under certain circumstances. Pregnancy is not one of those circumstances.

[twilight]

absolutely, my brand-new discovery (and 3x use) of catnip is certainly not worth *any* risk to baby. i'll survive a few more months without it just fine.

when i said i was lazy i was referring to the idea that i might only put tea on half my hair and carefully try to avoid getting it on my scalp... not a chance of that, haha. i'd rather not bother than go to that much trouble, even for gorgeous hair... :blush:

[ktani]

absolutely, my brand-new discovery (and 3x use) of catnip is certainly not worth *any* risk to baby. i'll survive a few more months without it just fine.

when i said i was lazy i was referring to the idea that i might only put tea on half my hair and carefully try to avoid getting it on my scalp... not a chance of that, haha. i'd rather not bother than go to that much trouble, even for gorgeous hair... :blush:

I think that your soon to be here little one, is very lucky to have you!

[twilight]

awww... thanks :sniffle:

i hope she agrees!

[ktani]

awww... thanks :sniffle:

i hope she agrees!

I have absolutely no doubt that she will! And you are most welcome.

[Demetrue]

yeah, I wouldn't use it in the tub because there's even more skin coming in contact with the questionable substance. I probably would have braided my hair, just dipped the tassel in the tea, and bagged it, then rinsed it out in the sink. I had diabetes during all 3 pregnancies and was not allowed to eat anyting with sugar, juices, potatoes, rice, pasta, baked goods, cereal, etc ... but all the sacrifice is more than worth it in the end.