Thanks Ktani. Would this be appropriate? http://www.funky-felines.co.uk/yeowwwcatnip.html
or am I better to go with something like this: http://www.organickingdom.com/-p-2863.html
Thank you.
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Thanks Ktani. Would this be appropriate? http://www.funky-felines.co.uk/yeowwwcatnip.html
or am I better to go with something like this: http://www.organickingdom.com/-p-2863.html
Thank you.
You are most welcome!Quote:
Originally Posted by Loviatar
Both look good but I cannot see detail very well. I prefer organic but it is not necessary. This is the catnip picture post to give you an idea of what buds and a mix looks like, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&postcount=877
Thank you very much Ktani. I think I am going to get some of the Hagen brand and see how that works out. I am also going to use a little on my skin, I have patches I am not happy with.
Is it not a complete pain to apply with the hand? Do you not spill a lot of it? I am wondering if it might be worth pouring the catnip tea into a plastic mixing bowl and then dipping my head into the bowl, soaking all the hair, before bagging for the hour. Thoughts?
That's weird!! I just did that a few minutes ago (soaking my hair right now, in fact). I usually dip the bulk of my hair into the jar or cup first, then pour what's left over my hair in stages. I try to get a lot of the water out of my hair first, without pulling or wringing my hair, then dip it in. I was thinking of this thread as I dunked :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Loviatar
No, for me it is easier and what I refer to as directed application, small amounts put exactly and completely where I want and need them. There is some dripping but not too much, if my hair has the excess water squeezed out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loviatar
I put the catnip repeatedly on sections, hold it there for a few seconds, and continue to the next section. I get even grey/white coverage and even conditioning.
I do the mixing bowl dunk then bag the length. Get laughs from my SO, he shaves his head so cannot relate!
I keep my catnip tea in a jar. I dunk the length of my hair into the jar, pour the rest over my head, and clip up my hair for the soaking time.
I have never soaked my hair in catnip for a full hour. The longest that I've gone has probably been 25-30 minutes, maybe even closer to 20 minutes. I would probably get more benefit from longer soakings, but 20 minutes works well enough for me.
I have also started exprimenting with catnip.
The first time, I only left it on for a couple of minutes - and that seemed quite enought as my hair got super slippery, airy but not fluffy.
Hm.
Could be that I need a weaker brew.
You can always play with the dilution and timing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hypnotica
DD2 and now my hair is fluffy and full. My hair looses moisture so fast, so I always mist it and oil it before bedtime-braiding it. Catnip seems to help with the slip and shine though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
The catnip Article, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&articleid=118
Has anyone tried using a spray soaker for wetting their hair with catnip tea? I use one instead of dunking and it is easier. Most beauty supply stores carry them for 3-4 bucks.
KJ
I have not, though I have been tempted to try it that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Keenkitty
I'm in the habit of using a plastic mustard/ketchup bottle thing, those big ones for picnics and such. I take the top off, soak the bottom in it a short time, put the top back on, then squeeze over my head in stages. Of course, I use it was a rinse, instead of a soak.
I am not fond of spray bottle applications for some things, although for others it is a great choice. For me, the catnip application is about grey/white coverage and I like my method. But I am glad that this works well for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Keenkitty
Dripless catnip treatment
Yes, it is possible!
How? Directed application. I did my usual application, pouring a bit into my hand and applying it on small sections of my very well excess water squeezed out hair, first on the underside back and sides, holding it on each section for a few seconds and repeating it on each section too. Then more on the underside "top". Then I poured a bit more into my hands and ran that down my length, divided into three sections (I rubbed the catnip between my hands first), and pinned it up and bagged it (I only applied the catnip to my length once per section). No drips, 0.
Then I took that down after about 30 minutes and did the "top" top, front sides and top back, with the length down, and bagged that for 30 minutes. No drips, 0.
The secret is, when doing a directed application, I use less catnip but it is applied only and exactly where I want it. There is no waste. I have more catnip left over for another catnip shampoo only if I want, and my skin. I have the same grey/white coverage, as when I have used more catnip.
One note on catnip shampooing. I shampooed my hair with my shampoo and did a 2nd catnip only shampoo, doing the same thing to my length, as above, (I also washed my scalp). I had let my hair go longer than a week without washig it and I did not want to use more shampoo than usual (my hair was a bit oily).
My hair, when I squeezed the water out with a towel, out after rinsing, has more drag to it that when my hair is just shampooed and catniped, no tangles, as usual though. I will wait and see how my hair is over the next few days. It may be because the catnip removed some of the silicone in my shampoo (which has never built-up, there is not much in it and it has never been a problem, with catnip), or the catnip just has less slip than I am used to, on its own. My waves are more defined and my hair is very full.
I have a question about how often I should use this for hair breakage. I have recently started using it as a final rinse about 2x a week, and leaving it in until the next wash. Will this help with breakage? I have extremely fragile hair, and I am doing everything I can to hold on to the length. I wash my hair every 2 days, and I also use a leave-in conditioner when it is wet. Thanks!
There are different opinions on this. I have never liked catnip as a leave-in. However, I have never liked any leave-in. I use catnip after every shampoo as my only conditioner (I also use it to colour my hair) and I do not need or use anything else. Catnip, from my experience, does not do well over any coatings on the hair. It depends on how well your leave-in washes out between uses, as to whether the catnip you are applying is being applied over your leave-in residue.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rain76
Catnip use gets better over time. You may want to give it a chance to work on its own before using something else after it or adding anything to it. Some people are having success adding glycerin to catnip as a leave-in. I did not have success adding glycerin to catnip but when I did use it, I rinsed it out. My hair just did not look or feel as good as when I use catnip alone. My ends are not dry at all with catnip on its own. I have no split ends and my once very fragile hair, now has much less breakage.
Here is an idea for a catnip gentle shampoo:
Take 1/2 a 5 oz bar of clear glycerine soap and grate it well
Add the moisturizing oil of your choice (coconut) -- maybe a tablespoon.
Melt it down in a nonstick pan (some extra water is going to be necessary) and then add your catnip tea to the luke warm soap, while whipping with one mixer beater until it is kind of buttery.
Just a thought :)
That could work but it would make the catnip alkaline, IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
I'll trying adding some fresh aloe vera and see what happens. That should bring the acid up with Vit C.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
Ktani, you spur me on to bizarrety :)
I just made a container of whipped cream catnip soap I used:
5 oz of pure glycerine soap grated in a food processor grater blade
1 cup of catnip tea (I put 1 stash tea bag of pepermint into the tea because my freezer smelled of garlic and so did my nip)
30 grams (about 3 tablespoons of fresh out of the leave aloe vera)
1 1200 mg capsule of liquid lecithin
1 tablespoon of coconut fat/oil
I think the heat may have been a little high so I'm adding 1/4 tsp of pure vitamin c crystals when it is really cool
After the soap shreds and tea were melted I started to whip like heck with a hand mixer with only 1 beater. I now have a quart of nip cream soap and a nice container of nip rinse. :D
Aloe vera coats hair. It depends on what you want the shampoo to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
This is interesting.
But this, is what I was referring to. Aloe gel contains mucilage which contains polysaccharides.
Thanks for your input, ktani! I will start using the rinse ONLY as a conditioner, instead of the leave-in (Giovanni) afterwards. The reason I leave the catnip rinse in is b/c I wash my hair in the mornings right before work, and I don't have time to wait & rinse it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
Truly fasinating! I read it all.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
I just received 3 huge beautiful leaves from a friends plant that fell over a little. I did an SMT with one last night (great results) [an SMT is conditioner/honey-heated/aloe vera]
I used the second leaf to make the nip poo cream and I'll use the 3rd for mom's SMT. Hate to waste clean organic Aloe Vera. The plant is 8 years old an shooting of babies everywhere, I alread have 6 :)
Have fun with the aloe gel and enjoy it!Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
Oh I know time for catnip can be troubesome! How often do you wash your hair? If you can, try doing the whole thing in stages. Make the tea in advance and refidgerate it. Set aside an hour one night, when you can relax and not have to be anywhere or do anything but spend some time on yourself. Take the tea out of the fridge about half an hour beore you are ready to use it. I just did a dripless catnip treatment post. You can read a book while the tea is bagged and treating your hair (with a towel around your neck, just in case), lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rain76
It all worked, the poo whip was very cleansing (lots of suds) and the rinse had to stay in because I ran out of hot water. This also kept me from conditioning. By golly it all worked and I came out with clean, soft, combable hair.Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
P.s. I do want coating agents on my hair to add volume and moisture because of thinning and such. My hair is long and straight so I'm not worrying so much about volume or fluff. More interested in health and diameter.
You do not need coating agents (polymers, mucilage, polysaccharides, etc.) on the hair for moisture or volume. They tend to have the opposite effect (weigh hair down and restrict moisture). My hair today, after the directed catnip application is the fullest I have seen it in a while and it is soft. My ends as usual, are moisturized. I have always found that the least coatings on my hair, the better it is (more moisture, more volume and less breakage). The oil that has been shown to penetrate the hair best, coconut oil, for example, has aslo been shown to help protect the hair from protein loss and hair damage. Moisture can still penetrate hair, when oils are in/on the hair, the degree of which, depends on the oil used.Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
I wash my hair every other morning. I actually like leaving it in, b/c I like my final rinse being with distilled water. I have hard(ish) well water. I do make it ahead of time, and refrigerate it. I really need to get a squeeze bottle to apply it. Thanks for your advice!Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
You are most welcome!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rain76
Interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
I was just wondering if oil would coat my hair and make a barrier for moisture.
I have allways some oil in my hair, and it (besides other benefits) makes my updos better, easier to tuck in ends and so on (in other words, the opposite of making dos from newly shampoo washed hair).
I though have stopped using amla and methi, due to coating (and also the amla is to acidic for me).
The hairs feel not as coated from oil as from mucilage. And this even when there are lot of oils.
I still use molasses though, and sometimes aloe concentrate.
It may be so that the molasses are coating more than honey, I will have to test.
The catnip is still hanging in here too. I soak my Indian herb washes in catnip tea and yogurt, make rinses from the left over catnip, and use catnip tea on my face (that is really good).
My hair loves coconut oil.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
Here is my report after two months of catnip use.
First of all, a big big thank you for Ktani and her competent, friendly and detailed advice. I'd never have thought of trying catnip without this thread, and I frequently read and re-read it.
I found no good catnip around here, so I ordered from a little herb shop on the Internet. I could compare the catnip to the pictures Ktani showed so I know it's good catnip. This was so helpful because the catnip in the next pet shop is simply hay and I'd never have known the difference without the detailed information given here.
I prepare it like tea, in the quantities given by Ktani, or I make it more concentrated and then dilute it. Sometimes I add rosemary (for shine) or rooibos (for red glint) but it works very well also on its own. I let it stand for some hours, strain it and then fill it into my applicator bottle with nozzle.
After I wash my hair (gentle SLS-free shampoo, diluted), I squeeze out gently excess water and apply some catnip tea. Then, I put on a shower cap and really fill it well with catnip. My hair, coiled in the back part of the shower cap, swims in catnip. I then proceed to my other showerly duties and take a break. I may have to re-fill the shower cap after a while.
After c. 20 minutes, I take off the shower cap. Then, I do what Ktani would probably never do ;-) I take a little squirt of conditioner (Alverde lemon flower), dilute it with the rest of the catnip or water, and coat my lengths and ends with it. I let it sit for a short while, and then I wash off both together. This makes my hair amazingly strong, no splits at all, and soft at the same time.
For me, this is the ideal application. If I use it without conditioner, my hair gets too dry and tangly (and I did play around with the concentration). This way of combining a catnip soak with a catnip last conditioning round simply makes my day. I may decrease the amount of conditioner I use gradually when my chemically damaged ends are gone but while I have them, I can't go without it.
Thank you for this great, great thread. As I said, I've been using it for more than two months, and haven't skipped the catnip even once.
You are most welcome! Thank you for your kind words.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melisande
While I was still experimenting with methods and my ends were not quite how I wanted them, I tried conditioner, off and on. However, I could not maintain colour coverage with it, so that proved to be a problem. Even when I managed to find a conditioner that was light enough not to be too bad for that, my hair was still not in optimal condition. That is when I experimented with pushing catnip on its own, to see if I could get it to give me everything I needed, and it did. Less time on my hair back when, did not work as well for me as one hour, although I can get away with less time now. I still tend to go for the hour though.
I am very pleased for you, that you are pleased with your results.
One thing I have noticed that seems to be constant with catnip use for most people is that results get better with consistant use. That is how it worked for me.
While watching a suspensful movie on TV last night, I scratched my face accidently. The skin was broken but not bleeding. I put some cold catnip on the spot and today the mark is half the size and healing perfectly. Catnip forever!
ktani may I ask what you use for hair wash and do you oil.
I have only been on for a couple weeks and I feel like experimenting with everything...and I have.
I ordered some dairy whip - not received yet - and I used some Meera (Indian wash) and trying to debate if I want to buy some Indian herbs and make my own wash and then use herbs and dairy whip or just stick with just one thing.
I am trying to figure all this out without breaking the bank...which would be easy to do :)
Another quick question:
Since both catnip and henna are supposed to coat the hair can henna still be used when one uses catnip?
Quote:
Originally Posted by wahmof9
Of course you may ask. Right now all I use is shampoo (Sunsilk Lively Blonde, that I import from England) and catnip), although I sometimes do a 2nd straight catnip shampoo and I may also just shampoo with catnip. I use nothing else on my hair, nothing.
I realize that being a new member, there are so many options that may be applealing to you but I suggest that you take it nice and slow, and try one thing at a time.
If you want to try Indian washing herbs, buy 2 and try mixing them. Buy a conditioning herb/plant to add to a mix. Be selective. Not everything is for everyone. Patch test everything that you have not used on you skin before, especially plants.
Catnip does not coat the hair the way henna does. Catnip washes out easily. The resin in henna washes out between use but the dye in henna binds to the hair (inside it) permanently.Quote:
Originally Posted by wahmof9
Catnip oils remain on the hair and its conditioning benefits penetrate hair somewhat but it does not build-up.
If henna resin has been washed out sufficiently, catnip should be fine over hennaed hair.
Thank you ktani you are such a wonderful source of information!