Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
I had that problem too (except after 20 mins or so my scalp was just right and my length was dry). I couldn't get the hang of soapnut foam washing, but Almudena's method of mixing the left-over shikakai blend with conditioner before applying it to the lengths is working well for me. I also needed to apply more oil pre-wash and keep post-wash oiling.
It does seem like a lot of trouble at first, but I only wash twice a week and try to time it around what I'm doing. So I'll get up and make the mix, eat breakfast, apply the mix, get out what I'm going to wear for the day, brush my teeth, whatever, then jump in the shower and rinse it all out. I wouldn't recomend mixing it up with shampoo because I think it takes time for the scalp to adjust, but I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks and others have found that they need the occassional shampoo.
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Hi Everyone. I know this thread has been pretty quiet. I'm still using the Indian Herbs, Soapnuts, and Oils I just haven't changed things up at all and have settled in to a pretty good routine with good results. My family and I have been a bit under the weather with seasonal sickness so we haven't been doing any "spa days". I can tell my length is growing and and the thickness is increasing. I'll try to get a length measurement soon. How is everyone else doing with their routines?
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
I'm still experimenting with one herb at a time....so far, I know that Shikakai alone is an excellent wash when my hair is oily and/or oiled. It makes my hair shiny, and gives me bouncing curls.
Amla alone worked very well as a CO-type wash, but I don't think it's cleansing enough for when my hair *really* needs washing, but rather as a between-wash light cleansing. It made my scalp feel wonderful.
I haven't had much luck w/ Aritha/soapnuts yet. For me, it seems to be more drying than Shikakai, yet also less effective at removing oil. It left my hair stiff and frizzy, yet my scalp was still a bit unclean. I haven't given up on it yet, though, I'll do some tweaking of my method before a final verdict.
All 3 I've used in powdered form, stirred into hot water, steeped overnight and applied as a strained rinse. The amla tea left nothing in the strainer, so I'll skip that step next time.
I don't have any Indian herbal oils, but I've been using EVOO and Babassu oils as pre-wash length oilings. I've used them for light post-wash and between-wash oiling for years. Haven't tried scalp-oiling yet: I'll wait 'til I get an herbal oil.
I've found conditioner on the length to be necessary after herbal washing. I went without once and my hair didn't look so good, although it looked much better than it would if I used any shampoo without conditioner.
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Right now I'm using Shikakai and amla together for my wash, oiling with ramtirth oil almost every day....still deciding if I need a heavier oil the night before wash. My hair is getting silkier :D I tried the soapnuts on dd, as she has oilier hair....I must be doing something wrong, as after drying her hair still has that sebum/scalp smell. Shampoo bars and shampoo remove that at least for a day. Anyone else run into this problem?
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cocolover
Right now I'm using Shikakai and amla together for my wash, oiling with ramtirth oil almost every day....still deciding if I need a heavier oil the night before wash. My hair is getting silkier :D I tried the soapnuts on dd, as she has oilier hair....I must be doing something wrong, as after drying her hair still has that sebum/scalp smell. Shampoo bars and shampoo remove that at least for a day. Anyone else run into this problem?
I sometimes have that problem if I don't get it down on my scalp enough and/or leave it on long enough.
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
I did an overnight herb wash last night and UGH! It was SO grainy, had big chunks of something, and DID NOT want to come out of my hair this morning. I finally filled my tub up a little with water and dipped my head in the water like I was hand washing clothes...dip, dip, dip. AND I lost way more hair than usual. The things I did different this time: Used Amla and Brahmi conditioning herbs along with the Shikakai/Aritha Mix and I used warm Soapnut liquid to mix the herbs rather than water. I also used some of the mix Friday, and put the rest in the refrigerator until last night, warmed it in a hot water bath and applied it as usual. I don't know what happened, my hair is really nice now with lots of body, but I can still feel crusties on my scalp in some areas...
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
I heart amla. It makes my hair feel very strong and stiffer yet silker (like heavier threads). It also is great for scalp itch.
I tried it as a facial scrub and I'd never seen my pores so small! Not even after Neutrogena overnight pore treatment with salicylic acid (can't buy it anymore, anywhere!!)
If the amla is shrinking facial pores badly clogged up, think what it's doing for the scalp. CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN GROW GROW GROW!!
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eaglefeather71
I did an overnight herb wash last night and UGH! It was SO grainy, had big chunks of something, and DID NOT want to come out of my hair this morning. I finally filled my tub up a little with water and dipped my head in the water like I was hand washing clothes...dip, dip, dip. AND I lost way more hair than usual. The things I did different this time: Used Amla and Brahmi conditioning herbs along with the Shikakai/Aritha Mix and I used warm Soapnut liquid to mix the herbs rather than water. I also used some of the mix Friday, and put the rest in the refrigerator until last night, warmed it in a hot water bath and applied it as usual. I don't know what happened, my hair is really nice now with lots of body, but I can still feel crusties on my scalp in some areas...
I have experienced that it was harder to wash out, when I had it in for two hours instead of some minutes.
I think I may have loosed more hairs too.
Hope someone knows why and what to do.
Maybe I had too thick paste, to much methi, or it was due to applying to dry hair (maybe should have thinner paste then).
I also have had problems to rinse the methi out, and that I hadn't when I just let it sit for some minutes.
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
HotRag
I have experienced that it was harder to wash out, when I had it in for two hours instead of some minutes.
I think I may have loosed more hairs too.
Hope someone knows why and what to do.
Maybe I had too thick paste, to much methi, or it was due to applying to dry hair (maybe should have thinner paste then).
I also have had problems to rinse the methi out, and that I hadn't when I just let it sit for some minutes.
That makes sense. I did have a pretty thick paste, and I applied it to dry oiled hair. I have stopped using the Methi except for in my henna once per month or so.
Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Velouria
I'm still experimenting with one herb at a time....so far, I know that Shikakai alone is an excellent wash when my hair is oily and/or oiled. It makes my hair shiny, and gives me bouncing curls.
Amla alone worked very well as a CO-type wash, but I don't think it's cleansing enough for when my hair *really* needs washing, but rather as a between-wash light cleansing. It made my scalp feel wonderful.
I haven't had much luck w/ Aritha/soapnuts yet. For me, it seems to be more drying than Shikakai, yet also less effective at removing oil. It left my hair stiff and frizzy, yet my scalp was still a bit unclean. I haven't given up on it yet, though, I'll do some tweaking of my method before a final verdict.
All 3 I've used in powdered form, stirred into hot water, steeped overnight and applied as a strained rinse. The amla tea left nothing in the strainer, so I'll skip that step next time.
I don't have any Indian herbal oils, but I've been using EVOO and Babassu oils as pre-wash length oilings. I've used them for light post-wash and between-wash oiling for years. Haven't tried scalp-oiling yet: I'll wait 'til I get an herbal oil.
I've found conditioner on the length to be necessary after herbal washing. I went without once and my hair didn't look so good, although it looked much better than it would if I used any shampoo without conditioner.
I think this next weekend when I do an overnight washing, I will use Shikakai only and see how that works for me. I absolutely love the soapnut foam washed during the week, but I'm thinking that the aritha powder overnight is just too much for my scalp. I just love how the Shikakai brightens the red in my hair for a few days!
