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Well, I decided to give this a try, so I have done it the past two Saturdays (one hour with my hair bagged after freshly washing.) My hair is lovely and nice and soft, but that first week I had noticeable SHEDDING, something I have NEVER experienced with any product, natural or otherwise. :thud: :no:
I went ahead and did it again yesterday (the second time.) Today my hair was quite nice, but if I have lots of shedding this week, then that will be the end for catnip and me. :rip:
I am also reporting back in after my latest round of catnip experiments. After not getting noticeable results with my preferred method, which was to bag the catnip but to then not rinse it out (to avoid excessively wet hair during sleep or commute to work), I followed Ktani's instructions to the dot last time and rinsed my catnip out after bagging for at least an hour.
I still didn't get any better results than if I follow my Dairy Whip wash with a straight citrict acid or VitC rinse; in fact I didn't notice any conditioning effect at all. Now, whether this is because my hair doesn't need much conditioner or whether my catnip isn't working for me, I cannot yet tell for sure, but I don't think it quite is the former, because my hair does react quite a bit to lack or excess of conditioning. It mostly does this with a barbed wire frizz halo and if anything I got a little more of this than when using DW & acid only.
So for now, I must conclude that catnip just isn't doing much for me. However, my batch hardly contains any buds, so I'd be keen to obtain some catnip that does and see how my hair improves with that. Only problem is, that so far, I haven't been able to find any here in Germany. I shall keep looking and if anyone finds a good source that I can obtain over here, please do let me know!
Kaz x
That is odd because for me, catnip reduces shedding, compared to my using conditioner. With my shampoo and catnip I have less shedding than I have ever had. No one else has reported shedding to be a problem with catnip either. Sorry to hear that shedding is part of your results.Quote:
Originally Posted by Deborah
Have you tried using diluted DW with catnip? That works best for others using DW. I have never tried DW.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kazazi
I just used catnip over commercial shampoo per Ktani's instructions (over very rough, damaged, chemically treated hair). Here are my results (photos: see my album).
I shampood, clarified with a white vinegar and water rinse (1-2 tbp per cup for shine and smoother cuticles), then applied catnip. Brewed a double does for my thick hair (550 mL water and 2 tsp catnip from PetMeds.com). Kept hair under shower cap and towel for 1.5 hours, adding more for coverage. Kitty sniffed my head!
RESULTS:
It amazed me I could get the comb through. I've never used a natural conditioner and am a dimethicone hair smoothing adict. The properties of catnip are truly remarkable! While not as "slippery" feeling as commercial shampoos, it does give you that same feeling. No tangles, good texture considering my texture without this would be terrible due to the chemical processing.:poot::cheese::cheese:
However, I am not a convert. My curls look like a caucasian afro right now. This does not compliment my face as I don't have Nicole Kidman's or Andie MacDowell's china-doll features. My medium-fine, thick curly hair is going to need a conditioner a lot heavier than this! :(
I can see how catnip would be a miracle product for those with short thin hair (guys), natural blondes, people with very fine hair or straight hair they want to fluff up and have a "cloud" of body. Many thanks to ktani for this.:)
I think there are many people whose hair would suit them great with catnip-only. I'm not one of them. :D :cool:
Next I will try amla or fenugreek/meshi to see if I can weight myself down a bit!
See my albums for pictures and previous posts about the miracle of ACV rinses. New discovery for me. Whoop!
By the way my scalp has never felt better though.
And I came here two weeks ago with scalp problems and itching.
And I haven't seen ringlets on my head since childhood. But they will be going down the memory-hole where they belong. :D Thank you ktani.
LOL, before catnip goes down the memory hole, lol, my hair is naturally wavy. I have let it do its thing with catnip and I prefer my hair straighter as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by tabitie
However, I can make my hair straighter with catnip just by smoothing it out with my hands, so that the waves are deeper and stretched out. They stay that way too, in between washing. No ringlets and my hair can do that on its own. Once your hair becomes softened with catnip on a regular basis (1 or 2 times is not enough, IMO) you should be able to do what I do too.
Great news about your scalp!
This is my first post, woohoo!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kazazi
I wanted to respond to this because I just went through a similar experience. I was interested in catnip for the colour as well as for the conditioning benefits, so I REALLY wanted it to work and tried and tried again following ktani's instructions. Result: On the up side, my greys did take on a little colour but unfortunately, I didn't notice any conditioning at all and ended up with a tangly mess on my head.:rolleyes:
Interesting that both Kaz and I live in Germany and had similar experiences. I had the hardest time trying to even find catnip here. The stuff I eventually found was called 'Katzenminze' which literally translates as 'Cat Mint' and I believe ktani explained it to be a different plant entirely. The translation on the package was 'Catnip' but maybe it really is just a different herb that doesn't have the same properties..:confused:
Has anyone else tried (perhaps accidentaly) cat mint instead of catnip? And, repeating Kaz's question, does anyone here in Europe (particularily Germany) have any good experience with/good source of catnip?
Thanks!!
Welcome to LHC, Sia :)
First off, I bought my catnip in the UK, when I still lived there. However, I have since looked for a different batch here in Germany and the only one I have found so far had just as few buds and looked less fresh. I haven't tried it on my hair yet.
To my best knowledge, what they call Katzenminze here is true catnip. The key is to look for the latin name Nepeta cataria.
The German batch that I found I bought at Fressnaps and they should have had a wider selection there, but when I went, everything except the brand I bought was sold out. So I might try again in the future to see if I can source some catnip with a decent amount of buds.
In the meantime, if you haven't seen this already, there is also a German long hair site with a longish thread about using catnip for conditioning; you can find it here and read it without being a member.
Good luck with any further experiments and let me know if you find a great source of catnip here in Germany!
Btw, Ktani, I think I do use the equivalent of diluted Dairy Whip as I always dilute a little bit with water in the palm of my hand before applying to wet hair. I think the lack of catnip results, for me, has to do with the catnip I am using, or a combination thereof, my water and my hair...
That could be the case. I just know that when DW is used in a diluted form (perhaps more so than you are doing), it works well with catnip, compared to using it full strength, based on reports.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kazazi
The catnip quality can affect results but I did have positive results with catnip conditioning from every catnip I have used.
I changed my timing and method and my results are better with pet store catnip, which is much higher quality.
Thanks Kazazi, ktani,
for the link and for the info!
I can't find any latin name on the catnip package, just a little blib about 'targeted scratching'. Rather funny to read that in this context. Anyhow, I'll keep experimenting and if it improves and/or I find some good 'stuff' here, I'll let you know!
My current catnip, Hagen brand, does not say on the package what species of catnip it is either. I emailed them for that information.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sia
I've been using 2 tsp of catnip in 600 mL of water without my hair becoming a cloud around my face. However, my hair is medium-coarse and less curly, so that could be more of a reason for the difference than the dilution. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by tabitie
I believe that at least one person has used conditioner after rinsing out the catnip with really good effects, so that might be something to try if you need conditioner but still want to use catnip.
Coconut oil is excellent to add weight and still wash out when you want it out.
Has anyone used a premade catnip hydrosol before? (such as the one available from Mountain Rose Herbs)
Would this have more or less benefits than if you were to brew a catnip tea yourself?
Offhand, I would say no. A hydrosol, depending on how it is defined by the maker, is usually water, alcohol or not and the oil (essential) of the plant.Quote:
Originally Posted by Leisje
Here is some information on what is known as a hydrosol, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrosol. You need to read the label of ingredients carefully.
Some feedback on the catnip soak: my hair feels and behaves like hair again!
I have been doing the catnip thing at least twice a week (soaking for anywhere up to 1 hour) now for several months. That, combined with consistent self-trims/dustings every month or so, has succeeded in reducing my straw-like ends. Even though my length is still the same as it was 10 months ago, my ends look more like hair now, and they swing more like hair too, instead of moving in a big, dry clump! I've still got a ways to go but I'm gonna keep on with the catnip as much as I can. The new catnip I'm using (bought in a tub as opposed to a poly bag) is way fresher and I think more potent. I'm still using conditioner though...not able to dump that security blanket yet.
This is great news! If you are still using conditioner and getting this level of results, it is likely to me, that your conditioner is washing out enough each time, not to be a problem for you. Some conditioners and the amount of it you do use may and obviouly do, allow that.Quote:
Originally Posted by MsBubbles
I used a couple of conditioners, when I was still experimenting with them, that washed out fairly easily for me. However, as I have said, my best results with catnip, started to occur, when I gave up all conditioner.
How frequently do most folks use the catnip? I was thinking that once a week would work, but I am hoping to get response for the split ends, and I love the apparent detangling...so I like to use it more often...but I don't what to use it too much...
I have used it each and every time I wash my hair and have done so for almost 4 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElenTikvah
To me, there is no too much use of catnip.
I use it every time I wash my hair, which is approximately twice a week. I agree with Ktani - I don't think it's possible to use it too often. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ElenTikvah
I tried catnip for the first time yesterday and now I'm confused. My hair felt pretty nice right after I rinsed the catniptea out, but today the ends have felt a little dry and crispy :( Also my scalp is getting more and more itchy.
I did it the way ktani had written in the article with one exception: I didn't remember to filter the catnip out of the liquid after half an hour, it stayed there for several hours. Could it be that it ended up being too stong and irritated my skin and dried my ends?
No, you are cool with that. I changed that for the Article, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&articleid=118.Quote:
Originally Posted by Naava
You can do either. It makes no difference to the conditioning results. The only real advantage I find, is that the colour goes a deeper yellow, which for me, means better grey/white coverage.
This was your first time, lol (that sounds so strange, lol). You have to account for timing and any possible residue, that you may have on your hair. Catnip results are not instant, in terms of optimal results. The results get better over time, as long as there is no coating on your hair.
I let my catnip steep for 6 or more hours, so that shouldn't be the problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Naava
Occasionally, my hair feels slightly stiff/dry/crunchy (I haven't figured out the best adjective to describe it) a day or two after the catnip rinse. However, when I comb my hair, that feeling goes away, though my hair might feel like that again by the next day before I comb my hair in the morning. After combing, though, my hair is silky soft. This doesn't always happen, so I'm still trying to find the cause. It may have to do with some buildup, either from oils (I sporadically use oil in my hair) or from not shampooing before the catnip rinse (I've been experimenting with using catnip-only washes, and every 3-4 washes using baking soda as a shampoo).
Catnip washes from all reports are limited in what they can remove. If you are using vegetable oils as part of your routine, even stronger cleansers can have problems removing those.Quote:
Originally Posted by KaeleyAnne
Yes, I haven't used catnip for very long, so I'm still experimenting to find out what works. I have discovered that as the number of washes in which I've used catnip increases, the less oil (or other additional frizz-control substance) my hair needs. I haven't used oil on my hair at all for over a week.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
I'm still trying to figure out if I need anything in addition to catnip (as long as I don't put something in my hair that needs to be washed out by something stronger), and if I do need something else, if baking soda is enough or if I actually need shampoo.
I doubt very much that you need baking soda, if you do not have accumulated heavy build-up on your hair. Baking soda is alkaline, though not strongly so. Catnip is acidic, but not as acidic as a vinegar rinse can be and usually is, even when well diluted.Quote:
Originally Posted by KaeleyAnne
If you feel the need, I suggest a mild, non coating shampoo. Most shampoos are acidic.
I always follow baking soda with a vinegar rinse, before the catnip. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
I do not know if I'll stick with the baking soda. Right now it's just an experiment. I'm trying to see if I can get away with using no shampoo. If needed, I'll go back to using shampoo. Or I'll try something else in place of shampoo. Though hopefully I won't need anything at all besides catnip. ;)
Cool! I look forward to reading your reports.Quote:
Originally Posted by KaeleyAnne
I'm only up to page 31 of this thread, but I wanted to ask a question.
I used catnip on two of my daughters and on myself 2 days ago. We are very happy with the results, even though we didn't leave it on long enough. I can't figure out how to leave it on my hair for a full hour. What do you do with yourself during that hour??
Anyway, my question: You said you don't think catnip can do anything through conditioner. Do you think it's ok to use a conditioner AFTER the catnip rinse if it's a mild conditioner like VO5? Or would that build up and cause problems as well? I ask mainly for my 8yo daughter. She has very thick and wavy/curly classic length hair that is difficult to comb out. Given her age, she doesn't really have the patience to sit for a long time while I try to detangle her hair after the shower. A little conditioner would make it easier for me to detangle, but I don't want to defeat the purpose of the catnip. What do you think?
For a slight rave, my 10 year old's hair (that I referred to as horse hair before) is now quite shiny, soft and manageable. The ends are still dry, but I think it will at least now be able to grow so we can trim those ends off. For her hair alone, I thank you. We are catnip devotees now for sure!
You are most welcome!Quote:
Originally Posted by steph in tx
It is not that catnip cannot work through conditioner, it is just that from my experience, it does not work as well over conditioner.
You should find that you can use less conditioner after catnip. The less you use, the easier it will be to wash it off the hair, next shampoo.
I will save you the rest of the pages, with this, the catnip Article,
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&articleid=118
I relax in the tub for the hour but you can relax and read with a towel around your neck or watch TV.
I hope this helps.
I signed on the forum and it seem that today I got nothing done but read threads and dream of lon hair. Sigh!
Anyway, I was considering using soap nuts as a wash and then catnip as a conditioner. Then I think I read somewhere that the two do not go together and that you should not use either while breastfeeding.
Is that true?
Neither are recommended during pregancy and I would not use either during breastfeeding either. They are both abortifacient and uterine stimulants. One member here used soapnuts during pregnancy and reported problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by wahmof9
Soapnuts IMO, coat the hair and catnip does not perform as well over coatings, as it does when it has access to the hair, without them.
Yikes. I hope not. I used the catnip and I'm breastfeeding.
I think that you should be fine but I have posted this several times, http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodn...ataire-eng.php and mentioned it in the catnip Article.Quote:
Originally Posted by steph in tx
Catnip has been used to treat infant colic.
Here is a post I did on soapnuts, a while back, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&postcount=532
My "baby" is almost 2 years old so I'm not as worried about this as I would be if she were an infant. I'm hoping to have a chance to read your article tonight after the kids are asleep. Sorry I'm asking questions you've already adressed. I hate that!
No worries about that. I think it is all fine. I did not post links in the Article. In this case, breastfeeding is not prohibited but it does say to consult your doctor. Catnip is non toxic and if you use the dilution I use, the tea is weak. I doubt that your skin absorption with this is very much.Quote:
Originally Posted by steph in tx
Soapnuts saponins are toxic to red blood cells. Skin absorption with it can be an issue.
For the question of "what do you do while your hair is soaking", I just put my length in a baggie, wrap the handy dandy plastic bag around it I use for hennaing, and go about my business for an hour. I do not leave the house! but can continue my normal activities, cooking, cleaning, reading, catching up on LHC, etc. I found the hour soak really makes the difference in my hair.
As this thread is a behemoth, could anyone advise me on the best place to get the 'right kind' of catnip in the UK?
Thank you, off to read the whole thread now. :)
I just pmed you the catnip Article. It tells you what you need to know about buying the right catnip.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loviatar