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There can be a problem with that. The next time one uses catnip, is there a coating on the hair from the soapnuts?Quote:
Originally Posted by Elenna
IMO, possibly. There is every indication, from reports that I have read about it, that there may be.
ktani you don't list what your hair type is? Are you saying to use shampoo with catnip? Sorry, I don't want to go through 99 pages of posts!
No worries.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elenna
My hair hair type is fine/medium in hair shaft diameter, and my hair is wavy, and thin in the number of folicles.
I use catnip after shampoo that does not build-up or leave a coating that prevents catnip from staining/conditioning my hair the best it can.
Catnip stained over the build-up I had when started using it (mucilage build-up from linden tea) but did not condition as well as it does now, that the build-up is gone.
I believe that soapnuts may leave a coating on the hair, that may prevent catnip from conditioning the best it can.
Also, catnip washes out of the hair easily. I want the oils and the slip and the conditioning and the colour. Pre conditioners may be nice for some applications, but I prefer post washing conditioning, for every day.
I've tried catnip a few times now. So far, it seems to work for me like citric acid - closes the cuticle very well and quickly, but leaves my hair feeling rather dry. I have not yet tried to leave catnip on for a significant length of time. Maybe over time catnip goes from being merely astringent (for want of a better word) to astringent-conditioning? Also it's quite possible I have a lot of build-up on my hair although I've clarified a few times this month. It's fun to experiment though, and I'm lucky that if I have disastrous results I can just braid my hair to hide them :grin:.
ktani – I’ve read what you’ve posted several times about catnip being contraindicated in pregnancy. I’m guessing they’re referring to ingesting it as a tea rather than putting it on your scalp, though I don’t suppose we’ll ever find out. Also, I doubt there will ever be enough data on either use to make it into the medical literature.
I know recommendations for pregnant women hugely err on the side of caution, but it seems to me that a topical application shouldn’t be a problem. Just some thoughts.
I had some dryness early on when I had build-up but also at lower dilutions. I do not have any dryness now.Quote:
Originally Posted by LaCitoyenne
Test timing and bagging. I never had a lot of dryness but my ends now are not dry at all. It took a while and multiple hour soaks to get where I am now, although I was seeing results enough to keep me testing, from the beginning.
The difference to me in these cautions, is that with herbs used the way catnip is for example, one soaks in it for up to and over an hour, frequently.Quote:
Originally Posted by KarenLynn
People recently here, have reported internal use symptoms of natural products, when they have been used topically only.
I believe that skin absorption plays a bigger part in such cases than previously thought by many, and to me, if such plants/herbs are cautioned against during pregnancy, they should be avoided, period, during that time, regardless of the dilution.
The tendency here and I have been just as guilty, is to to view amounts when it comes to use things on hair, as "more is better".
Oh, I wouldn't recommend pregnant women try it and see what happens. Just saying that over all, a lot of the things that aren't recommended probably really are harmless, we're just not sure and so prefer to avoid them. Although I guess one option here could be to only use it on the length for split ends prevention.
I read this entire thread yesterday, and it was a very interesting read. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
For my part, you are most welcome.Quote:
Originally Posted by KarenLynn
I see where you are coming from and cautions to me, as well as the rest of the information about any product, come down to the credibility of the source information, and I prefer more than one credible source.
That is subjective.
I still think that using such products only on the hair ends for example, is not a good idea, given that the issue is skin absorption and the product in question is still handled.
Okay, back with an update. :) I applied catnip on dry hair and left it on for an hour. Then, I rinsed, squeezed out the excess water and did a CO with VO5 Strawberries & Cream conditioner. Once most of the water was out from toweling, I applied Fox's leave-in.
It turned out very well and my hair is nice and soft. The one thing I would change is to go back to applying the catnip on damp hair, not dry, like normal.
I like this idea and will follow it next time I shower. It would be a switch from what I normally do (i.e. CO, rinse, catnip, rinse).