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View Full Version : Hibiscus substitutes?



SarahBeth
December 5th, 2010, 02:28 PM
I'm having great results using hibiscus tea as a final rinse, but it's rather costly. I think it may be the high vitamin c content, not just the acidity. I've used ACV rinses for months. They are good, but I never got the sotfness from ACV that I'm getting from hibiscus. Does anyone know of alternatives to hibiscus, any success stories with other herbs? I was thinking maybe cranberry powder or rose hips or something else with high vitamin C levels. I'm not sure if it's the vit. c that gives great results or what. Any input would be great. Thanks

luxepiggy
December 6th, 2010, 10:38 AM
I'm having great results using hibiscus tea as a final rinse, but it's rather costly. I think it may be the high vitamin c content, not just the acidity. I've used ACV rinses for months. They are good, but I never got the sotfness from ACV that I'm getting from hibiscus. Does anyone know of alternatives to hibiscus, any success stories with other herbs? I was thinking maybe cranberry powder or rose hips or something else with high vitamin C levels. I'm not sure if it's the vit. c that gives great results or what. Any input would be great. Thanks

I suggest trying conditioners that list citric acid in their ingredients, as I suspect that might be the thing that's helping. I noticed my hair is softer and shinier if I use products that include citric acid.

ktani
December 6th, 2010, 10:51 AM
Here is some information that may prove useful, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/roselle.html.

It is not that high in Vitamin C.

It is high in mucilage, which can build-up on hair. http://www.naturalpedia.com/Roselle.html.

Searching for information under roselle will give you more results. I researched it some time ago.

little_cherry
December 6th, 2010, 06:27 PM
Have you checked out hibiscus powder on ebay? It's much cheaper per pound than Hibiscus tea.

MandyBeth
December 6th, 2010, 06:49 PM
Wouldn't the lemon juice rinse (Ktani, can you help with the link?) work instead?

ktani
December 6th, 2010, 06:54 PM
Wouldn't the lemon juice rinse (Ktani, can you help with the link?) work instead?

Sure, this is faster, http://ktanihairsense.blogspot.com/2010/08/another-cost-effective-innovation-by.html

It is not the same thing though.

SarahBeth
December 7th, 2010, 01:17 PM
Here is some information that may prove useful, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/roselle.html.

It is not that high in Vitamin C.

It is high in mucilage, which can build-up on hair. http://www.naturalpedia.com/Roselle.html.

Searching for information under roselle will give you more results. I researched it some time ago.
So would something like flaxseed tea work like hibiscus? I've made flaxseed gel, but maybe something more watered down, to use as a final rinse? I don't know if flaxseed is acidic or alkaline, but I think it has lots of mucilage.

ktani
December 7th, 2010, 01:38 PM
So would something like flaxseed tea work like hibiscus? I've made flaxseed gel, but maybe something more watered down, to use as a final rinse? I don't know if flaxseed is acidic or alkaline, but I think it has lots of mucilage.

It is still not going to be the same and it may build-up on your hair much more so over time.

You are happy with hibiscus. As expensive as it may be, I would stay with what works for you. Try finding a cheaper source for the same quality. It you buy it in bulk and if it can be frozen (I have not checked that out) that may be a way around this issue.

Not only different plants but different varieties of plants have different properties. This is really a financial issue. I think that you will have better luck working that out.

seethruugirl
December 7th, 2010, 01:42 PM
I don't know where you live but, if you have a hispanic community near by they should have dried hibiscus flowers at their grocery store. I can buy a huge tub of dried flowers for $3. Then I just boil it and make the tea that way. Of couse I love to drink it but, I mix it in my henna as well. I haven't tried a rinse with it...I will have to give that a shot. Good luck!

SarahBeth
December 7th, 2010, 02:57 PM
Thanks everyone!