Is anyone here using herbs to wash their har?

[Annalouise]

I started off the new year with a vow to not use any chemicals or soaps (I'm allergic). I've been washing with reetha and using herbal teas for conditioning. Also, honey as a conditioner and oils of course.

Its been tricky finding the right balance between dry and oily hair. So far using 2-3 tablespoons of reetha per wash (daily) and it is working out well, mixed with hibiscus tea. I might have to increase it to 4. And a hibiscus tea rinse. And honey for an added conditioner.

I tried apple cider vinegar rinses and that made my hair very lanky and horrible looking. I'm not sure what I was doing wrong there.

I'm using rosmary e.o. in jojoba oil on my scalp too.
On my ends I tried almond oil and that didn't work. So I'm back to coconut or olive oil, with rosemary, lavender and lemon essential oils.

Is anyone else using herbs exclusively for hair washing?:)

[tina1025]

I have been using whole soapnuts (aritha) for about a year now. I henna my hair every now and then as well.

[Annalouise]

I have been using whole soapnuts (aritha) for about a year now. I henna my hair every now and then as well.

Hi. Do you like the whole soapnuts better than the powdered form? I've never tried the whole ones.
Why did you switch to soapnuts from shampoo? Do you use oils before you wash?:)

[little_cherry]

I've been using herbs for a few months now with great results. 1 tbs of aritha, shikakai and methi in hibiscus tea. I always oil my hair before and after....though the before oiling is a heavier oil.

[Annalouise]

I've been using herbs for a few months now with great results. 1 tbs of aritha, shikakai and methi in hibiscus tea. I always oil my hair before and after....though the before oiling is a heavier oil.

Cool.:) That is great. I've never tried methi, I don't know what it is, but assuming it is not a cleanser, then you use 2 tbsp of cleansing herbs. This is funny because if I oil my hair then I need probably 4 tbsp of aritha/reetha to get the oil out. I've tried lesser amounts and it doesn't remove the oil.

I love the hibiscus too. That stuff is wonderfully conditioning.

Thanks for sharing. What oil do you prefer?

[LaurelSpring]

I recently started using Indian herbs again. The first time I tried it didnt go very well and my hair was very dry. This time around I steeped the herbs in catnip tea and the conditioning effect of the catnip worked well with the herbs and I am really happy with the results. At the moment I am using aritha, shikakai, and amla but just got some methi to try and add in also.

[Finchen]

Methi is Fenugreek.

Check out this (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=18424) thread, its worth reading...

[little_cherry]

Cool.:) That is great. I've never tried methi, I don't know what it is, but assuming it is not a cleanser, then you use 2 tbsp of cleansing herbs. This is funny because if I oil my hair then I need probably 4 tbsp of aritha/reetha to get the oil out. I've tried lesser amounts and it doesn't remove the oil.

I love the hibiscus too. That stuff is wonderfully conditioning.

Thanks for sharing. What oil do you prefer?
You're most welcome! I use several different oils depending on my mood, but lately I've been into argan and argan blends with coconut and hemp.

Methi/fenugreek is interesting. I found it works best if I soak the seeds over night, grind them and add them to the aritha/shikakai tea to steep. I strain the aritha and shikakai out since I use it for a body scrub/wash. I'll strain the methi out separately, too.

[Annalouise]

I have been using whole soapnuts (aritha) for about a year now. I henna my hair every now and then as well.

Hi:) Have you tried using the ground up aritha/reetha sold in the boxes at Indian markets? I'm just curious how it compares to using the whole soapnuts. Would you tell me where you buy the soapnuts? Thanks.


I recently started using Indian herbs again. The first time I tried it didnt go very well and my hair was very dry. This time around I steeped the herbs in catnip tea and the conditioning effect of the catnip worked well with the herbs and I am really happy with the results. At the moment I am using aritha, shikakai, and amla but just got some methi to try and add in also.

Me too:). I found them either drying, or they didn't clean my hair. Its hard to find that balance. I have never tried catnip so I'll have to do that.


Methi is Fenugreek.

Check out this (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=18424) thread, its worth reading...

Gracias:)


You're most welcome! I use several different oils depending on my mood, but lately I've been into argan and argan blends with coconut and hemp.

Methi/fenugreek is interesting. I found it works best if I soak the seeds over night, grind them and add them to the aritha/shikakai tea to steep. I strain the aritha and shikakai out since I use it for a body scrub/wash. I'll strain the methi out separately, too.

Hemp oil, thats a new one.:) I have used methi (now that I know what it is) but I bought the powder form at the health food store and put it into the mix. It does provide a lot of slip. I ran out of it. But I should get more.

Why do you buy the pods and not the powder? Does it give you better results.


Where does everyone buy their herbs from?