Catnip for split ends?

[ktani]

Originally Posted by Nynaeve

Getting a 404 Error on your first link, ktani.

ETA: The link is adding an extra . as part of the link, as opposed to separately at the end of the sentence.

I hate when that happens. Thanks. I will fix it now.

[ktani]

This is a really good picture of what catnip buds (unopened flowers), look like. These are in Hagen brand catnip leaves and buds.

Pictures of catnip parts

Picture of catnip buds

Link fixed!

[ktani]

One more note on my last experiment with using catnip as a 2nd shampoo. I have less static in my hair than with using just my shampoo. However, all of the times I have had static in my hair using my shampoo and catnip in the past over 1.5 years, I have not had knotting hair (excent the odd hair rarely) and no split ends. So I will take the extra static happily.

The reduced static also supports my belief that the 2nd shampoo coated my hair enough not to allow the extra conditioning I needed. I do know though, that shampo will remove that coating easily and in 1 only shampoo, from experience. The amount of static I usually get with catnip and shampoo is not great and tolerable enough for me to go back to it. Split ends and knotting are worse, to me.

[ktani]

I had similar problems washing with yucca root and linden tea although to my knowledge, yucca root contains no mucilage and catnip contains so little or not any appreciable amount, that it never builds-up. Washing with plants leaves behind something and that something creates problems IMO. A good shampoo (one that is non irritating or builds-up) is not evil and IMO, is worth it.

[Neoma]

I brewed some catnip tea tonight. I will use it for the first time tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

[ktani]

Originally Posted by Neoma

I brewed some catnip tea tonight. I will use it for the first time tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

Good luck but be patient. Catnip results get better over time, not because it builds-up but because the hair gets more conditioned.

[ktani]

I added this to the catnip article.

"Catnip used as a shampoo and then more catnip applied afterward to condition, does not offer the same split end protection (as catnip does following conventional shampoo), from my experience. The hair is also prone to knotting. Catnip "shampoo" leaves behind some oils and conditioning properties, enough to prevent more catnip from being aborbed into the hair, as much as it can be."

I also added this.
"My definitions:
*coating: anything left behind by a product that does not allow direct access to the hair by another, or more of the same, product.
* build-up: any coating that cannot be removed by a regular conventional shampoo in one use.

Catnip tea does not build-up on hair, (enough of it is easily removed with a mild shampoo each time, to allow more catnip to be absorbed by the hair)."

[enfys]

Righty, I've got a towel on my head and my catnipped hair drying under it. I used my shampoo and conditioner as if I was doing CWC, but it became

Condition Wash (ACV) Catnip

I massaged the very diluted shampoo through the conditioner so it shouldn't have coated it too much.

I don't know if I was more surprised that it didn't seem to smell much, or that it looked like a urine sample!

This is the catnip I bought; I'm guessing it's the most accessable one in the UK.

http://www.petsathome.com/find/keywo...oduct-is-18985

Tomorrow when I'm dry I can tell you how my first test went. I've been really concerned with splits on the shortest, dyed layers; the bit's I need growth the most! Here's hoping it works.

[ktani]

Originally Posted by enfys

Righty, I've got a towel on my head and my catnipped hair drying under it. I used my shampoo and conditioner as if I was doing CWC, but it became

Condition Wash (ACV) Catnip

I massaged the very diluted shampoo through the conditioner so it shouldn't have coated it too much.

I don't know if I was more surprised that it didn't seem to smell much, or that it looked like a urine sample!

This is the catnip I bought; I'm guessing it's the most accessable one in the UK.

http://www.petsathome.com/find/keywo...oduct-is-18985

Tomorrow when I'm dry I can tell you how my first test went. I've been really concerned with splits on the shortest, dyed layers; the bit's I need growth the most! Here's hoping it works.

Your catnip looks fine. I would skip the conditioner next time altogether. Good luck!

[enfys]

Phew, if Ktani approves of the catnip I'm fine. I hoped the packet would say something helpful like "buds and leaves"

I only used a minimal amount of conditioner because I'd not pre-oiled; if it seems fine this time I will try without conditioner next time. I'd rather that because compared to these natural things it smells like fabric softener!