Catnip for split ends?

300 ml = 10. 144 fluid oz US. I use just under 300 ml. So the US measurement would be just under 10 oz. I will add that to the article too.

ETA: Done!

It is funny because when people first started posting about catnip used in shampoo and then as a shampoo my first reaction was "well then nothing is being used to remove it".

And I know that catnip is a great face and body skin wash. Then when I used it as a 2nd shampoo my hair was cleaner. However, the extra drag worried me a bit. I have done partial, quick s&ds and noticed the knotting but saw no split ends.

It was not until I did this last thorough s&d and found those couple of split ends and more knotting that I able to slowly piece it altogether with the reports. 2 split ends do not a crisis make. But they are an indication, after so long of being split end free, and having done so many thorough s&ds in the past, that something was wrong. Now I know. To be absolutely sure I will watch other reports on catnip used as a shampoo. For me, no more experimenting for the time being. If I improve my catnip routine, I will post and share the information.

I know that there are a number of threads on washing hair with plants but most if not all plants need adjustments to using them. With Indian washing plants, pre oiling is traditional or they can be too cleansing. Most plants leave something behind when they are used to cleanse. Sometimes that something can build-up on hair. Sometimes, like with catnip I am pretty sure, it blocks hair absorption to a degree, even though catnip does not build-up, from my experince with it. No plant IMO, can be all things at all times. Ideally, it would be different but it does not appear so, depending on the hair goal.

My only real hair goal, is to have the healthiest, split end free, breakage free (now that part is a dream), long, shiny, hair, with grey/white coverage, possible.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I just added this to the catnip article.

"Covering grey/white hair with catnip can be done most effectively, by first steeping catnip tea longer than just cooled to room temperature, to deepen the colour. All other directions remain the same, including the 1 hour timing. The only other additions are; 1. when removing the bag or other covering, let the hair cool down a bit before rinsing off the catnip, and 2. only rinse with tepid to cool, not warm or hot water."

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Oh, this is good info. I didn't do this last night at all. I didn't get any color and no noticeable conditioning. But, I thought perhaps I needed a few times for it to build up. I will do it again tonight following the above. Gracias

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Originally Posted by wintersun99

Oh, this is good info. I didn't do this last night at all. I didn't get any color and no noticeable conditioning. But, I thought perhaps I needed a few times for it to build up. I will do it again tonight following the above. Gracias

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You are most welcome!

Depending on what is on your hair, clarify it first, to remove residue or conditioner. You just need a shampoo for normal hair, to do that. Catnip use, from my experience with it, does improve over time but it does not build-up.

Catnip will not stain over conditioner, I have found. It will still condition over conditioner but not to its optimal capabilities.

I just wanted to add an update: I tried catnip again with a more concentrated solution (about 2 tsp in ~300 ml), and this time my hair didn't feel like it had just soaked in water after I rinsed. It was a bit tangled still when I rinsed out (I'm not going to be soaking it as a braid again), but after drying it has been less tangled than usual, and feeling quite soft. So for me, it looks like a higher concentration is going to make more of a difference than the usual dilution, though I will need to mess with it a bit more.

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Originally Posted by Anje

I just wanted to add an update: I tried catnip again with a more concentrated solution (about 2 tsp in ~300 ml), and this time my hair didn't feel like it had just soaked in water after I rinsed. It was a bit tangled still when I rinsed out (I'm not going to be soaking it as a braid again), but after drying it has been less tangled than usual, and feeling quite soft. So for me, it looks like a higher concentration is going to make more of a difference than the usual dilution, though I will need to mess with it a bit more.

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It depends on the individual. I found a more full tsp in 250 ml of water too astringent for my hair and skin. My ends were drier and my skin felt tight. It was not severe or bad, just not what I or my skin and hair liked.

If you are happy with your dilution, great!

I wonder if one can perform "astringency test" on one spot the skin to determine how concentrated they can do the catnip.
I admit I sometimes put twice as much catnip, but I didn't feel anything on my skin. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Heidi_234

I wonder if one can perform "astringency test" on one spot the skin to determine how concentrated they can do the catnip.
I admit I sometimes put twice as much catnip, but I didn't feel anything on my skin. :shrug:

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I would just go by how dry the skin and hair feel. I found the more diluted catnip is up to the dilution I use, the better.

Dear enablers,

I went to the pet store and bought a little paper bag filled with organic catnip.

The checkout lady asked if I ever gave my cats a "catnip bath." She said that you sprinkle catnip over the bottom of the bathtub and let the cats loose. When they're done playing, you rinse the catnip down the drain.

I told her that I have no cats and that I was going to use it on my hair, because it's good for split ends. She said, "Oh, I see," but you could tell from her face that she didn't see at all. :silly:

I have a glass jar that holds about four cups of water. I was thinking about brewing two teaspoons of catnip in four cups of water. Maybe that won't be a strong enough concentration, since I plan on pouring out about a quarter of the jar into a larger container, then mixing that quarter with three or four cups of water to dip my hair into, then dump on my head.

Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by Neoma

Dear enablers,

I went to the pet store and bought a little paper bag filled with organic catnip.

The checkout lady asked if I ever gave my cats a "catnip bath." She said that you sprinkle catnip over the bottom of the bathtub and let the cats loose. When they're done playing, you rinse the catnip down the drain.

I told her that I have no cats and that I was going to use it on my hair, because it's good for split ends. She said, "Oh, I see," but you could tell from her face that she didn't see at all. :silly:

I have a glass jar that holds about four cups of water. I was thinking about brewing two teaspoons of catnip in four cups of water. Maybe that won't be a strong enough concentration, since I plan on pouring out about a quarter of the jar into a larger container, then mixing that quarter with three or four cups of water to dip my hair into, then dump on my head.

Thoughts?

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Try a measured dilution. Then you can tell what works best for you, whether it is the one I use of not. Too little water and catnip can be too astringent, from my experience, too much and it is too weak.

Thank you, ktani. :flower:

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Originally Posted by Neoma

Thank you, ktani. :flower:

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You are most welcome!

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Originally Posted by Neoma

Thank you, ktani. :flower:

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I just worked it out in oz. I am using just under 10 for 1 tsp. 2 tsp to 4 cups of water is waay too much water IMO.

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Originally Posted by Neoma

Dear enablers,

I went to the pet store and bought a little paper bag filled with organic catnip.

The checkout lady asked if I ever gave my cats a "catnip bath." She said that you sprinkle catnip over the bottom of the bathtub and let the cats loose. When they're done playing, you rinse the catnip down the drain.

I told her that I have no cats and that I was going to use it on my hair, because it's good for split ends. She said, "Oh, I see," but you could tell from her face that she didn't see at all. :silly:

I have a glass jar that holds about four cups of water. I was thinking about brewing two teaspoons of catnip in four cups of water. Maybe that won't be a strong enough concentration, since I plan on pouring out about a quarter of the jar into a larger container, then mixing that quarter with three or four cups of water to dip my hair into, then dump on my head.

Thoughts?

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Not to hijack this thread, but now I'm really wondering if I might be able to get my cat to bathe himself if I put catnip in a tub shallowly filled with water. :confused: It just might work.

I'd probably go for a higher dilution than what you have planned; at least 2 tsp per cup for your initial concoction, or about 3 tbsp in your 4 cup container (that would make the final rinse a little over 1/2 the dilution recommended.) 4.5 - 5 tbsp would get you very close to the recommended amount, though you probably ought not to go over that amount for your first try.

4 cups US = 32 oz

At 1 level tsp to just under 10 oz that would be about 3 tsp and a bit more.

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Originally Posted by freznow

Not to hijack this thread, but now I'm really wondering if I might be able to get my cat to bathe himself if I put catnip in a tub shallowly filled with water. :confused: It just might work.

I'd probably go for a higher dilution than what you have planned; at least 2 tsp per cup for your initial concoction, or about 3 tbsp in your 4 cup container (that would make the final rinse a little over 1/2 the dilution recommended.) 4.5 - 5 tbsp would get you very close to the recommended amount, though you probably ought not to go over that amount for your first try.

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Originally Posted by ktani

4 cups US = 32 oz

At 1 level tsp to just under 10 oz that would be about 3 tsp and a bit more.

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Thank you, freznow and ktani. :flowers:

I have a couple of day's worth of nettle tea that I want to use up over the next couple of days. I'll brew some catnip tea later this week.

I'm still reading through this thread. I'm on page 15. Off to read some more...

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Originally Posted by Neoma

Thank you, freznow and ktani. :flowers:

I have a couple of day's worth of nettle tea that I want to use up over the next couple of days. I'll brew some catnip tea later this week.

I'm still reading through this thread. I'm on page 15. Off to read some more...

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You are most welcome and good luck!

Pictures of catnip parts

Picture of catnip buds

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Originally Posted by ktani

This is a really good picture of what catnip buds (unopened flowers), look like. These are in Hagen brand catnip leaves and buds.

Pictures of catnip parts

Picture of catnip buds

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Getting a 404 Error on your first link, ktani. :flower:

ETA: The link is adding an extra . as part of the link, as opposed to separately at the end of the sentence.

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Originally Posted by Nynaeve

Getting a 404 Error on your first link, ktani. :flower:

ETA: The link is adding an extra . as part of the link, as opposed to separately at the end of the sentence.

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I hate when that happens. Thanks. I will fix it now.

This is a really good picture of what catnip buds (unopened flowers), look like. These are in Hagen brand catnip leaves and buds.

Pictures of catnip parts

Picture of catnip buds

Link fixed!

One more note on my last experiment with using catnip as a 2nd shampoo. I have less static in my hair than with using just my shampoo. However, all of the times I have had static in my hair using my shampoo and catnip in the past over 1.5 years, I have not had knotting hair (excent the odd hair rarely) and no split ends. So I will take the extra static happily.

The reduced static also supports my belief that the 2nd shampoo coated my hair enough not to allow the extra conditioning I needed. I do know though, that shampo will remove that coating easily and in 1 only shampoo, from experience. The amount of static I usually get with catnip and shampoo is not great and tolerable enough for me to go back to it. Split ends and knotting are worse, to me.

I had similar problems washing with yucca root and linden tea although to my knowledge, yucca root contains no mucilage and catnip contains so little or not any appreciable amount, that it never builds-up. Washing with plants leaves behind something and that something creates problems IMO. A good shampoo (one that is non irritating or builds-up) is not evil and IMO, is worth it.

I brewed some catnip tea tonight. I will use it for the first time tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

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Originally Posted by Neoma

I brewed some catnip tea tonight. I will use it for the first time tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

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Good luck but be patient. Catnip results get better over time, not because it builds-up but because the hair gets more conditioned.

I added this to the catnip article.

"Catnip used as a shampoo and then more catnip applied afterward to condition, does not offer the same split end protection (as catnip does following conventional shampoo), from my experience. The hair is also prone to knotting. Catnip "shampoo" leaves behind some oils and conditioning properties, enough to prevent more catnip from being aborbed into the hair, as much as it can be."

I also added this.
"My definitions:
*coating: anything left behind by a product that does not allow direct access to the hair by another, or more of the same, product.
* build-up: any coating that cannot be removed by a regular conventional shampoo in one use.

Catnip tea does not build-up on hair, (enough of it is easily removed with a mild shampoo each time, to allow more catnip to be absorbed by the hair)."

Righty, I've got a towel on my head and my catnipped hair drying under it. I used my shampoo and conditioner as if I was doing CWC, but it became

Condition Wash (ACV) Catnip

I massaged the very diluted shampoo through the conditioner so it shouldn't have coated it too much.

I don't know if I was more surprised that it didn't seem to smell much, or that it looked like a urine sample!

This is the catnip I bought; I'm guessing it's the most accessable one in the UK.

http://www.petsathome.com/find/keywo...oduct-is-18985

Tomorrow when I'm dry I can tell you how my first test went. I've been really concerned with splits on the shortest, dyed layers; the bit's I need growth the most! Here's hoping it works.

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Originally Posted by enfys

Righty, I've got a towel on my head and my catnipped hair drying under it. I used my shampoo and conditioner as if I was doing CWC, but it became

Condition Wash (ACV) Catnip

I massaged the very diluted shampoo through the conditioner so it shouldn't have coated it too much.

I don't know if I was more surprised that it didn't seem to smell much, or that it looked like a urine sample!

This is the catnip I bought; I'm guessing it's the most accessable one in the UK.

http://www.petsathome.com/find/keywo...oduct-is-18985

Tomorrow when I'm dry I can tell you how my first test went. I've been really concerned with splits on the shortest, dyed layers; the bit's I need growth the most! Here's hoping it works.

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Your catnip looks fine. I would skip the conditioner next time altogether. Good luck!

Phew, if Ktani approves of the catnip I'm fine. I hoped the packet would say something helpful like "buds and leaves"

I only used a minimal amount of conditioner because I'd not pre-oiled; if it seems fine this time I will try without conditioner next time. I'd rather that because compared to these natural things it smells like fabric softener!

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Originally Posted by enfys

Phew, if Ktani approves of the catnip I'm fine. I hoped the packet would say something helpful like "buds and leaves"

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I said that it looks fine, lol. The test will be in how it works.

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Originally Posted by ktani

Good luck but be patient. Catnip results get better over time, not because it builds-up but because the hair gets more conditioned.

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Thank you, ktani. :flowers:

I tried my catnip brew this a.m. I did a couple of things wrong:

1. It was so darn cold that I couldn't bear the thought of dumping it over my head. So, I mixed today's portion with some hot water. It was the right amount of catnip, but way too diluted.
2. I totally forgot to bag my hair.

Detangling wasn't easy. I think it would have been fine if I had finger separated my hair as it dried. But I took the Tangle Teezer to it while it was wet, and I shed more than usual.

I had a serious halo when it dried.

The plus side is that my hair is really soft.

Tonight, I'm going to leave the remaining brew out so it will be room temperature tomorrow a.m. And I will bag my hair after applying the brew.

I'll keep you posted.

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Originally Posted by Neoma

Thank you, ktani. :flowers:

I tried my catnip brew this a.m. I did a couple of things wrong:

1. It was so darn cold that I couldn't bear the thought of dumping it over my head. So, I mixed today's portion with some hot water. It was the right amount of catnip, but way too diluted.
2. I totally forgot to bag my hair.

Detangling wasn't easy. I think it would have been fine if I had finger separated my hair as it dried. But I took the Tangle Teezer to it while it was wet, and I shed more than usual.

I had a serious halo when it dried.

The plus side is that my hair is really soft.

Tonight, I'm going to leave the remaining brew out so it will be room temperature tomorrow a.m. And I will bag my hair after applying the brew.

I'll keep you posted.

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No worries. Catnip is very forgiving.

All you need to do is take the catnip out of the fridge an hour before you need to use it or less and let it naturally warm up to room temperature, while you get on with whatever you need to do before your are ready to wash your hair or finish doing something else.

When it is really cold, I soak in the tub or let the shower warm me up. The bagging acutally makes me feel warmer.

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Originally Posted by ktani

No worries. Catnip is very forgiving.

All you need to do is take the catnip out of the fridge an hour before you need to use it or less and let it naturally warm up to room temperature, while you get on with whatever you need to do before your are ready to wash your hair or finish doing something else.

When it is really cold, I soak in the tub or let the shower warm me up. The bagging acutally makes me feel warmer.

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Does it have to be in the fridge first? Cause I make mine and use it right away.

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Originally Posted by wahmof9

Does it have to be in the fridge first? Cause I make mine and use it right away.

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No, no, the fridge is for storing it before and in between uses. It can keep up to week. I have had it keep longer but I wouldn't. It is best to make it fresh after that. If you make it to use right away, just use it.

Hello ktani, I'm new here and I just wanted to thank you for the info on catnip tea on this site. I've been putting it on my face with a cotton pad and I have never had anything clear up my skin so fast. I used to use Proactive among a host of other things. I've used it on my hair twice and I love it. I don't wash my hair very often. I can't wait to see your hair, but I'm new and can't access the albums yet. I love learning new things about hair care. I have very long hair but I need to take better care of it. I learn a lot from you. Thank you for all your hard work.

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Originally Posted by learnthenLive!

Hello ktani, I'm new here and I just wanted to thank you for the info on catnip tea on this site. I've been putting it on my face with a cotton pad and I have never had anything clear up my skin so fast. I used to use Proactive among a host of other things. I've used it on my hair twice and I love it. I don't wash my hair very often. I can't wait to see your hair, but I'm new and can't access the albums yet. I love learning new things about hair care. I have very long hair but I need to take better care of it. I learn a lot from you. Thank you for all your hard work.

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Welcome to LHC!

Thank you so much! That is so nice of you to say all of that.

Yes, from my experience too, catnip is amazing on skin. It can help heal it quickly.

Pictures of my hair are on my profile page and there are only 2 from 2006. I do not like taking pictures of myself or having them taken. I still have not gotten around to figuring out how to use the digital camera I have (a gift).

This a.m., I did a CWCat: conditioned with Strawberries & Cream conditioner, shampooed once with a SCH shampoo bar, squeezed out the excess water and applied catnip tea. I clipped my hair up and put on a plastic shower cap, then proceeded with my showerly duties.

After about 10 minutes, I rinsed the catnip tea out.

I finger separated my hair as it dried. Most of the tangles fell out. When I combed, I did have to use a little caution; it wasn't like combing through hair that had been conditioned with a bottled conditioner.

My hair is soft and a little fluffy. I do have a halo, though I don't think it's as pronounced as it was yesterday. It feels soft, yet a little dry at the same time.

I'm not sure that it looks any better than when I just use a shampoo bar, but I'm willing to continue the experiment and see what happens over time.

I do like the fragrance of catnip, BTW. It smells slightly minty and green.

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Originally Posted by Neoma

This a.m., I did a CWCat: conditioned with Strawberries & Cream conditioner, shampooed once with a SCH shampoo bar, squeezed out the excess water and applied catnip tea. I clipped my hair up and put on a plastic shower cap, then proceeded with my showerly duties.

After about 10 minutes, I rinsed the catnip tea out.

I finger separated my hair as it dried. Most of the tangles fell out. When I combed, I did have to use a little caution; it wasn't like combing through hair that had been conditioned with a bottled conditioner.

My hair is soft and a little fluffy. I do have a halo, though I don't think it's as pronounced as it was yesterday. It feels soft, yet a little dry at the same time.

I'm not sure that it looks any better than when I just use a shampoo bar, but I'm willing to continue the experiment and see what happens over time.

I do like the fragrance of catnip, BTW. It smells slightly minty and green.

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Next time, try just the shampoo bar and a vinegar rinse, then the catnip, and leave the catnip on longer, bagged. Shampoo bars leave a residue that catnip alone may not be able to remove, or get through.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I said that it looks fine, lol. The test will be in how it works.

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To me it just looked like a bag of herbs; my kitty never liked catnip for me to get to know it or te constituents. It has leaves? Buds? What?!

Well last night I brushed my hair damp with Tangle Teaser. I never brush wet hair, I wait until it's bone dry but I was too excited to wait until the morning! It brushed very easily, the same as with "real" conditioner.

This morning it felt lovely and soft too. This may be partly that my hair is used to herb washing and so I was starting off with a different finish on my hair. But to me it felt like no different to a normal conditioning agent. Amla/shikakai washes give me a similar feel. It feels like...hair. It's a feeling I haven't had for a long time. And it felt good to do. It was a lot more satisfying than bottled goop.

If it's effect builds up I can't wait!