Catnip for split ends?

Hi, sorry if my questions have been asked, I didn't read any further than page 25 (which took me several hours - pfff).

So, question #1: I read that catnip doesn't do well on build up. I don't use any cones and henna resin is usually gone pretty quickly from my hair, but what about aloe vera gel? Is there a lot of mucilage in aloe vera?

Question #2: I live in an area with very hard water. Therefore I use a white vinegar rinse every time I wash my hair. Can I subsitute my vinegar rinse with catnip, or doesn't catnip do as well in hard water areas?

Question #3: In the first 25 pages people tended to leave the catnip rinse in for long periods of time (30 minutes to an hour). I wash my hair almost daily and wouldn't have time to do this. I a shorter time period also effective? If so, what time period?

Question #4. Can anybody from the netherlands tell me where I can find good quality catnip? The two (small) petstores in my neighboorhood both don't carry it :(.

Any help on any of the questions is greatly appreciated!!

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Originally Posted by Marjolein

Hi, sorry if my questions have been asked, I didn't read any further than page 25 (which took me several hours - pfff).

So, question #1: I read that catnip doesn't do well on build up. I don't use any cones and henna resin is usually gone pretty quickly from my hair, but what about aloe vera gel? Is there a lot of mucilage in aloe vera?

It has enough in my opinion that you may need to clarify. I would not use catnip over it.

Question #2: I live in an area with very hard water. Therefore I use a white vinegar rinse every time I wash my hair. Can I subsitute my vinegar rinse with catnip, or doesn't catnip do as well in hard water areas?

I would use the vinegar rinse then catnip or you could substitute the catnip for it. You can try both.

Question #3: In the first 25 pages people tended to leave the catnip rinse in for long periods of time (30 minutes to an hour). I wash my hair almost daily and wouldn't have time to do this. I a shorter time period also effective? If so, what time period?

My hair needs the longer time period. You can experiment. I only wash my hair once a week though.

Question #4. Can anybody from the netherlands tell me where I can find good quality catnip? The two (small) petstores in my neighboorhood both don't carry it :(.

I think that you may need to oder it from online.

Any help on any of the questions is greatly appreciated!!

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I replied to each question in bold.

Great, thanks Ktani!

One more follow up question:
I use SLS free shampoo (hmm, aloe vera shampoo, now that I come to think of it). Would such a shampoo be clarifying enough to remove the build-up from my occasional aloe vera gel treatment, or would I need another/harsher shampoo?

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Originally Posted by ktani

Not that I can recall.

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Thank you for your response! :)

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Originally Posted by little_cherry

Thank you for your response! :)

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You are most welcome!

I would think a shampoo for normal hair would be enough to do the job. It should be sufficient. You would have to go by how your hair feels and reacts as to how much if any real buil-up you have and that can be tricky to estimate. I do not think that you need to start with a harsher clarifyer.

two questions. i seem to remember someone saying that only the flowers do any good. Are the leaves bad for your hair, or just less conditioning? I ordered some catnip online not realizing there was a difference between leaves & flowers, and opened to realize it was all leaves. Is it totally a loss, or can I still use these?

Also - catnip before henna, yes or no? Will it block dye uptake? I do it once a week or so, and I did it just a couple days ago and was going to henna tomorrow. Will it keep the henna from staining, or do I have to clarify first?

Jenn

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Originally Posted by earthymamawitch

two questions. i seem to remember someone saying that only the flowers do any good. Are the leaves bad for your hair, or just less conditioning? I ordered some catnip online not realizing there was a difference between leaves & flowers, and opened to realize it was all leaves. Is it totally a loss, or can I still use these?

Also - catnip before henna, yes or no? Will it block dye uptake? I do it once a week or so, and I did it just a couple days ago and was going to henna tomorrow. Will it keep the henna from staining, or do I have to clarify first?

Jenn

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The flowers contain more of the oils than the leaves. I have used flowers and leaves but some of the mixes I have used have had very few flowers. The leaves should be fine but leaves and flowers are more conditioning. Someone prefers buds (flowers only).

I do not think catnip will impede henna dye. If concerned shampoo but you will need only a mild shampoo, not a clarifying one.

Ktani, I've continued using bud-only infusion, and I feel like I'm permanently indebted to you. This has been nothing but wonderful for my hair. The only splits I get now are tiny bends, and there are so few of them that they're easy to find and trim off, it's wonderful! :inlove:

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Originally Posted by Kirry-Folk

Ktani, I've continued using bud-only infusion, and I feel like I'm permanently indebted to you. This has been nothing but wonderful for my hair. The only splits I get now are tiny bends, and there are so few of them that they're easy to find and trim off, it's wonderful! :inlove:

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I am so pleased that you are so pleased!

Ktani,

Have you any pictures of the color you get on your whites from catnip?

I'm using cassia, but it leaves my thick, medium/coarse, wavy hair really poofy and overly thick, which would be fine if I had fine/medium hair. Now that it's been a month since my last cassia, my hair is so much silkier, and I dread doing it again, but crave that golden color on my whites. Of course, I'd be satisfied with any color in the blond family.

I think I read in the thread that for color, as well as conditioning, you make a tea, let it cool, then use it after you shampoo, leaving in your hair for 30 mins? How many times must you do this to have a color build up on your whites? Thereafter, you must reapply every time you shampoo?

Thanks