...Parsley?

[Moonstruck]

I recently sampled two different shampoo bars (Sweet Creek Herbs, if you're wondering), one which my hair CLEARLY loved a lot more than the other. Upon asking the soapmaker herself... the only difference was one herb, parsley!

Searching the forums for parsley related posts is a beast! Obviously it shows up in cooking posts frequently enough, but it doesn't actually seem to turn up often in hair care threads/posts.
Within the articles, there seems to be some info - it's listed as enhancing brunette hair in the hair coloring one, good for dry/thinning/damaged/dandruff-y/dull hair and dry/oily skin (as well as for eczema, psoriasis, injuries, and acne).

The confusing part?
I have oily, coarse, average thickness, virgin, shiny East Asian hair. I do have a fairly oily scalp, but it seems that my HAIR is the one that loves it, since the other shampoo actually quells the scalp itchies a little bit more.

So, I'm curious. Does anyone know how parsley functions in hair care? Does anyone have experience with it? What do parsley rinses/teas do for the hair?
I'd experiment, but I need to buy some first - I HATE the flavor, yuck! Haha.

[Madame J]

I remember hearing once that parsley is incredibly nutritious, so it's possible that soaking your hair in parsley juice would nourish it. An herbal book I have recommends a watercress treatment for oily scalp; maybe parsley does something similar...

[Natalia]

Hmmm ive often wondered about parsley. I happen to liek the tatse but it comes in such big bundles i cant possibly eat enoug salads to use it up and i hate waste.... If i didnt have blonde roots i might try it im afraid of tunring green! I will keep an eye on this one :)

[ktani]

The essential oil is toxic (http://www.drugs.com/npp/parsley.html) but as a food parsley is considered safe. It is not recommended during pregnancy but many plants are not recommended during that time.

Here is more information (http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/kings/petroselinum.html).

[Moonstruck]

Hm, the second link in Ktani's post mentions... "[parsley] as a lotion to stimulate hair growth", and then googling it turns up http://www.recipezaar.com/Easy-Homemade-Parsley-Hair-Treatment-for-Shiny-Hair-92245 (making a parsley puree/slurry for conditioning). Some blogger says she uses it to make a hair strengthening infusion.

Still haven't tried either, but just throwing it out there (and hoping someone else tries it first =P)

[Twitter]

I remember hearing once that parsley is incredibly nutritious, so it's possible that soaking your hair in parsley juice would nourish it. An herbal book I have recommends a watercress treatment for oily scalp; maybe parsley does something similar...
Somewhere I read that parsley tea can be used on oily skin. So it may be the same for the scalp.
Parsley may be very nutritious..although, part of me still thinks it's an evil plot to make me eat the garnish on my dinner plate :rolleyes:

[Renbirde]

I wonder what would happen if you washed your hair with a slurry with parsley and honey or a herbal tea...

[Teazel]

Yikes, I'd be careful with this one. I've used parsley to dye wool; it's a very reliable, colourfast bright green. I'm guessing not too many people would want hair that colour. :wink:

[Moonstruck]

HAHAHAHAHA thanks for the heads up there, Teazel! I don't think it'd show up on my head, but anyone with lighter hair might be a little perturbed (and annoyed at me).

[Renbirde]

Yikes, I'd be careful with this one. I've used parsley to dye wool; it's a very reliable, colourfast bright green. I'm guessing not too many people would want hair that colour. :wink:
Thanks for the heads up! Might be fun though, having green hair... do you have any picture of the shade?

[Teazel]

Thanks for the heads up! Might be fun though, having green hair... do you have any picture of the shade?

I do now! :D Just took one: these are various vegetable dyes I tried out when I was into spinning/dyeing/knitting. The parsley is out in front.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Scarla/27.jpg

To be fair, I did use chrome as a mordant, so don't know how well it would act as a dye on its own. But I'd still be cautious, and test any parsley "slurry" on sheddings first.

[Renbirde]

I do now! :D Just took one: these are various vegetable dyes I tried out when I was into spinning/dyeing/knitting. The parsley is out in front.

...

To be fair, I did use chrome as a mordant, so don't know how well it would act as a dye on its own. But I'd still be cautious, and test any parsley "slurry" on sheddings first.
Those are lovely colors! I will remember that when I get around to experimenting... ;) I've been wanting a safe (no peroxide) green hair dye for a while. This was fortuitous!

(But I'll defiantly check a swatch before I try to use parsley to condition! :D)

[Milui Elenath]

Hmmm, I wonder if parsely mixed with henna would make an interesting red brown? Green and red?

[Moonstruck]

Renbirde, scroll up and you'll see it. :P Hehe.

So, I did what I probably should have done in the beginning and contacted the soapmaker herself to ask.
"Parsley is recommended hair care for dandruff. Parlsey is noted for conditioning dry hair, preventing dandruff, and for giving hair body and luster. It is considered a tonic and conditioner for hair. some use catnip as an herbal hair rinse after shampooing, I would suggest parsley. :) This information is gotten from the Rodale book of Herbs with contributing Editor Lesley Bremness."
-Kathleen of Sweet Creek Herbs

She did tell me another time that it's best for dark-haired people, though. Probably the dye thing, haha. She also mentions the incredible wealth of vitamins it has - quite more than many other veggies! Mmm, hair food. Haha.

[physicschick]

I do now! :D Just took one: these are various vegetable dyes I tried out when I was into spinning/dyeing/knitting. The parsley is out in front.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Scarla/27.jpg

To be fair, I did use chrome as a mordant, so don't know how well it would act as a dye on its own. But I'd still be cautious, and test any parsley "slurry" on sheddings first.

Teazel, these are gorgeous. Just out of curiosity, what dyes did you use for the other colors?

[Teazel]

Teazel, these are gorgeous. Just out of curiosity, what dyes did you use for the other colors?

Thank you, physicschick! :) It's been a long time since my obsession with veggie dyes, but from memory I used dahlias (gold and deep orange-red), silver dollar gum (terracotta/red), New Zealand flax (browns), Lombardy Poplar (mustardy yellow-brown), and carrot tops (yellow). I wish I could remember what gave that rather nice peachy colour at top left. :hmm: Other dyes I used, but out of shot, were Elderberry (purple), and native lichen (mauve).

A lovely thing about these dyes is that they always seem to harmonise with each other. I suppose it's their softness that stops them clashing.

[Renbirde]

Dahlias? Do tell! I have tons of the silly things...

[Renbirde]

Renbirde, scroll up and you'll see it. :P Hehe.
Are you talking about the swatch?

Yes, that's a lovely shade of green. The thing is, I have no idea if my hair would take the color the same way as whatever color of wool Teazel used. So, a hairball party! :D

[Teazel]

Yes, that's a lovely shade of green. The thing is, I have no idea if my hair would take the color the same way as whatever color of wool Teazel used. So, a hairball party! :D

For sure. I'm waiting for someone to do a strand test. It would be particularly interesting on blonde or white hair that takes up dye easily. :drama:

[Moonstruck]

Oh, haha, I misunderstood you, Renbirde. And I wish my hair would take up that color like that - I really like the soft green. Guess it might be a little socially awkward and strange looking against the rest of me though. :P

I so want to see a test - I briefly thought about using my dog's hair to get an answer (she's white) but I think that might differ just as much from our hair as the wool that Teazel dyed.

Teazel... how'd you realize that these could dye wool so well? I really want to start dying wool, I'm not sure why, and I love the idea of using natural plant colorants to do so. Was it a book's suggestion, or did you just go into your garden and take a peek around?

[Teazel]

Teazel... how'd you realize that these could dye wool so well? I really want to start dying wool, I'm not sure why, and I love the idea of using natural plant colorants to do so. Was it a book's suggestion, or did you just go into your garden and take a peek around?

My info and inspiration came from a book, Moonstuck. :) You could have a look in your library, or see what you can find online.

I've just started a vegetable dye thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=26870), rather than hijack this one any further. :D