Catnip for split ends?

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Originally Posted by gmdiaz

This has been such an interesting read!

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and observations. And a big thank you to Ktani for the recipe!!!!

I've just bought a bag of flowers and leaves catnip. This particular brand came from a healthy pet petfood store and cost about $6.00 for 2.5 ozs. I think it's called Out of the Garden.

I came home with lots of groceries and such, dropped my bag with the catnip in it on the dining room table. My two furboys jumped up ON THE TABLE and pulled the catnip bag out of my purse! Apparently it's the good stuff! roflolol

So now, I've locked up the nip in a Tupperware container so I can have a little for my hair. I am steeping enough for two cups. Will let you know how it goes! Expect to try it tomorrow morning!

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You are most welcome! Please update!

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Originally Posted by Heidi_234

Hey ktani, I have very interesting observation, and I'm looking forward to see your input on it.
1. I hennaed recently again (full length, as I'm still in search for that red color :p), but I also shampooed the henna out. It would have been reasonable to expect the henna bleeding. I went to the pool the other day, and soaked my hair with about 50 50 mix of catnip tea (stronger than you suggest) and club soda. After the pool I soaked my hair in straight club soda to neutralize the chlorine like always, and the club soda turn slightly orange. Not more than it did a month after I hennaed last time. I thought that shampooing henna out played a role in that.
Today I went to the pool again, and I for got to take with me the catnip/club soda mix. I couldn't go back for it of course, so I soaked my hair with straight club soda before swimming. After I was finished and I went to take a shower, I soaked my hair with club soda (as usual) and this time the henna bled tremendously!
I'm not sure what happened. The pool water didn't drastically change over the last few days, so it must be switching between catnip/club soda and straight club soda. Maybe the catnip blocked somehow the chlorine, not allowing it the reach the hair and fade the henna?
What do you make out of this?

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Catnip contains iron and manganese, which can affect natural peroxide negatively but I doubt that it would affect the bleaching properties of the pool chemicals that much.

Club soda is reported to remove product build-up on hair. The henna being relatively fresh would be subject to having the unbound lawsone be more easily removed by almost anything (conditioner has been reported to remove unbound lawsone, for example) so IMO, that is probably what happened. The catnip and club soda version is diluted club soda and diluted catnip, so it is not as strong as either club soda or catnip is if either were used straight.

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Originally Posted by ktani

Catnip contains iron and manganese, which can affect natural peroxide negatively but I doubt that it would affect the bleaching properties of the pool chemicals that much.

Club soda is reported to remove product build-up on hair. The henna being relatively fresh would be subject to having the unbound lawsone be more easily removed by almost anything (conditioner has been reported to remove unbound lawsone, for example) so IMO, that is probably what happened. The catnip and club soda version is diluted club soda and diluted catnip, so it is not as strong as either club soda or catnip is if either were used straight.

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I had henna bleeding a month after hennaing, which isn't suppose to happen, and it was definitely not unbound lawsone. Just to remind - I shampooed the henna out, and also did SMT, so I suppose most of the unbound henna was supposed to be removed then. After I soaked my hair with catnip/soda mix, the amount of bleeding was acceptable and expected. But when I soaked with club soda alone, the bleeding was much worse.
Do you think long soak in club soda fades the henna? The bleeding was much worse than when a month before, one week to the hennaing, I didn't soak my hair with anything and did the quicky club soda rinse (I didn't shampooed the henna that time, and mildly COed it out).

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Originally Posted by Heidi_234

I had henna bleeding a month after hennaing, which isn't suppose to happen, and it was definitely not unbound lawsone. Just to remind - I shampooed the henna out, and also did SMT, so I suppose most of the unbound henna was supposed to be removed then. After I soaked my hair with catnip/soda mix, the amount of bleeding was acceptable and expected. But when I soaked with club soda alone, the bleeding was much worse.
Do you think long soak in club soda fades the henna? The bleeding was much worse than when a month before, one week to the hennaing, I didn't soak my hair with anything and did the quicky club soda rinse (I didn't shampooed the henna that time, and mildly COed it out).

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I have read that here that unbound lawsone can be seen to bleed for weeks after a henna is done in some cases. I do think that club soda can help remove more of it that perhaps something else but not bound lawsone. That is permanent but hennaed hair can be lightened, which is different than removal. Henna can be almost completely removed, according to reports, when it is relatively fresh using bleach for example which is alkaline, again probably because not all of the lawsone has bound to the keratin in hair, so even though there is lightening taking place, there may also be removal of the unbound henna.

There are a number of people who clarify their hair before each application of henna. It may well be that certain coatings or build-up interfere (lack of direct access to hair) with lawsone's ability to get to the keratin to bind. For some people, henna fades faster than it does for others who experience almost no fading.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I have read that here that unbound lawsone can be seen to bleed for weeks after a henna is done in some cases. I do think that club soda can help remove more of it that perhaps something else but not bound lawsone. That is permanent but hennaed hair can be lightened, which is different than removal. Henna can be almost completely removed, according to reports, when it is relatively fresh using bleach for example which is alkaline, again probably because not all of the lawsone has bound to the keratin in hair, so even though there is lightening taking place, there may also be removal of the unbound henna.

There are a number of people who clarify their hair before each application of henna. It may well be that certain coatings or build-up interfere (lack of direct access to hair) with lawsone's ability to get to the keratin to bind. For some people, henna fades faster than it does for others who experience almost no fading.

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By that logic, my henna should bleed significantly less next time (if I choose to use straight club soda as a presoak at least). I'm ready to conduct an experience (lol I should title myself 'my own guinea pig' in the user title :lol:), this time I'll used up the catnip I've made (and forgot to take with me), but next time I'll do straight club soda presoak again and see how the bleeding goes.
I'll also watch for bleeding before the pool (when I'll soak it in straight club soda, the liquid is transperant, so I'll see if there any - as opposed to catnip soak, where the catnip is yellow/green itself). Catnip still played some part in it, not allowing the 'bleeding' agent to get to the hair. The question is who was it, chlorine or club soda.

My catnip rinse went really well this mornng.

I didn't let it sit but just rinsed with two cups of the liquid . .slowly, a little bit at a time.

My hair is very soft and tangle free.

Used a little on my face too. . .feels super nice.

Will keep using this!

i experimenting with it and keeping my cats at bay with the stuff.
i've been having problems with split ends, down to bad care before i came on here and i'm interested to see if it works. i'll give anything within reason a go .
first experiments have been interesting, it helps separate my waves and keeps it held together better so feels silky.
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/hair/2-2.jpg
i'm hoping it will help in the long run.

have i got this right in technique in using it. treating catnip like tea leaves and putting it in my pot which has a sieve you take out and when it's luke warm pore it over you washed hair and allow to air dry.

tips are very welcome......

i'll do anything to stop these splits appearing.

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Originally Posted by rach

i experimenting with it and keeping my cats at bay with the stuff.
i've been having problems with split ends, down to bad care before i came on here and i'm interested to see if it works. i'll give anything within reason a go .
first experiments have been interesting, it helps separate my waves and keeps it held together better so feels silky.
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/hair/2-2.jpg
i'm hoping it will help in the long run.

have i got this right in technique in using it. treating catnip like tea leaves and putting it in my pot which has a sieve you take out and when it's luke warm pore it over you washed hair and allow to air dry.

tips are very welcome......

i'll do anything to stop these splits appearing.

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This tells you how I use it.

thank you :)

I have followed Ktani's recipe for catnip tea and I soak my hair for an hour, putting it into a ponytail and putting the length in a plastic baggie so it really soaks. My split ends and breakage are gone and my hair is growing! For me, the soaking time is what made the difference over using it as a rinse.

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Originally Posted by kdaniels8811

I have followed Ktani's recipe for catnip tea and I soak my hair for an hour, putting it into a ponytail and putting the length in a plastic baggie so it really soaks. My split ends and breakage are gone and my hair is growing! For me, the soaking time is what made the difference over using it as a rinse.

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I have been using your method...catnip on pony tail/bag and Indian herbs on crown....love it!
Thanks!

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Originally Posted by rach

thank you :)

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You are most welcome!

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Originally Posted by kdaniels8811

I have followed Ktani's recipe for catnip tea and I soak my hair for an hour, putting it into a ponytail and putting the length in a plastic baggie so it really soaks. My split ends and breakage are gone and my hair is growing! For me, the soaking time is what made the difference over using it as a rinse.

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Great news! The timing is what made the difference for me throughout my experiments.

I have used the 8 hour brewing time for several times now and it is definitely a winner!

The first time I tried catnip, I just used it as a rinse with a little follow-up conditioner.

This time I am sitting around with my ponytail dunked down in a big Ziplock bag. I've got the top of the bag scrunched up around back and up on top of my head. *snark*

Just so you know, I'll be hanging out catnipping for the next hour! roflol

Will post a follow up about my results.

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Originally Posted by gmdiaz

The first time I tried catnip, I just used it as a rinse with a little follow-up conditioner.

This time I am sitting around with my ponytail dunked down in a big Ziplock bag. I've got the top of the bag scrunched up around back and up on top of my head. *snark*

Just so you know, I'll be hanging out catnipping for the next hour! roflol

Will post a follow up about my results.

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I look forward to reading your results!

Ktain

I've followed your Catnip recipe/instructions precisely three times now. My hair looks and feels lovely and I have found no need for any additional conditioner. Like you I am also using the catnip for colouring white hair. The light ash colouring in the length of the white hair has worked really well and looks good but I am having trouble with the white hair closest to the scalp – approx 2 inches. On the last attempt I steeped the tea for nearly 8 hours to ensure I got the best colour from it but I still had the same problem. Do you have any tips or suggestions as to how I can overcome this? Other than this I am very happy with the results and am very pleased that I found your helpful and informative article on catnip as I had been looking for a long time for a gentle way to colour my white hair.

I am a cat lover as are most of my friends and they all find it kind of appropriate and amusing that I am using catnip on my hair - having no problem with my cats so long as they have their own catnip toys!:kitten:

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Originally Posted by KarpatiiSiv

Ktain

I've followed your Catnip recipe/instructions precisely three times now. My hair looks and feels lovely and I have found no need for any additional conditioner. Like you I am also using the catnip for colouring white hair. The light ash colouring in the length of the white hair has worked really well and looks good but I am having trouble with the white hair closest to the scalp – approx 2 inches. On the last attempt I steeped the tea for nearly 8 hours to ensure I got the best colour from it but I still had the same problem. Do you have any tips or suggestions as to how I can overcome this? Other than this I am very happy with the results and am very pleased that I found your helpful and informative article on catnip as I had been looking for a long time for a gentle way to colour my white hair.

I am a cat lover as are most of my friends and they all find it kind of appropriate and amusing that I am using catnip on my hair - having no problem with my cats so long as they have their own catnip toys!:kitten:

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I am so pleased that you are pleased with catnip.

As for tips, here are a few suggestions.

Don't use too much shampoo. If I use more than I absolutely need, it removes too much colour and because I apply the shampoo to the scalp first and then just work the lather through the length at the end of shampooing, the areas closest to the scalp tend to be the hardest to stain.

That is where I use most of my catnip. I apply small amounts repeatedly to the top areas and hold my hand over the area for a few seconds. When I remove the bag from part 2 of the way I apply it, I add more catnip before cooling down and then rinsing. That seems to help as well. Another tip is to separate the hair on top just a bit with your fingers, so that the catnip can get the underlayers stained too.

Ktani

Many thanks for the suggestions.

Like you I apply the shampoo to the scalp and then work it through the length which is how I have always washed my hair but it could be the amount of shampoo I use that isn't helping so I'll definately try and use less - hard to break some habits! I will also try your other suggestions. I intend to continue using the catnip as my hair does appear to like it. I am happy with the colouring in the length so now I'll have to try harder with the areas closest to the scalp.

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Originally Posted by ktani

Thank you!

Catnip colour is really quite light blonde. It is not gold as I would call it. There is no brown or red in it. I suggest that you strand test, either on your hair direct or shed hair. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised as to what the colour it is not, in terms of a shade of yellow. It is more on the ash side rather than the yellow side. It is hard to describe but I do not think that you need to worry. It is not like turmeric for example.

The buds (you need to harvest the flowers before they open) contain the yellow tannin too but they contain more oils than the leaves. Leaves and buds make the perfect balance, IMO. You get the astringency and the oils without too much of one or the other.

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Hello Ktani,

thanks for your answer. I tried it with leaves and buds and it worked out quite nicely. The color didn´t change that much, I only left it on for 30 minutes and my hair didn´t get yellow.
Also, I dyed the grown out hair on top of my head applying coconut and argan oil before (I left it on over-night because I wanted to dye first thing in the morning), the color turned out as usual and my hair felt really soft. I did not apply color all over my hair, only to the top. I cannot see any damage there but it´s hard to tell since its only a small area. I will continue doing this and I hope it will help protect the newly growing parts of my hair, my ends are already quite damaged from dying.

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Originally Posted by coccinelle84

Hello Ktani,

thanks for your answer. I tried it with leaves and buds and it worked out quite nicely. The color didn´t change that much, I only left it on for 30 minutes and my hair didn´t get yellow.
Also, I dyed the grown out hair on top of my head applying coconut and argan oil before (I left it on over-night because I wanted to dye first thing in the morning), the color turned out as usual and my hair felt really soft. I did not apply color all over my hair, only to the top. I cannot see any damage there but it´s hard to tell since its only a small area. I will continue doing this and I hope it will help protect the newly growing parts of my hair, my ends are already quite damaged from dying.

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You are most welcome!

Catnip does not really turn hair yellow but it can add a light yellow stain that will show up on some hair colours more than other (like grey/white).

I am pleased to hear that the coconut and argan oils worked well for you. I will add your report to the others in the peroxide thread. I agree that the roots area is hard to get a fix on re damage but the fact your felt really soft is an indication to me, that it was not "stripped" in terms of lack of moisture and possible damage from the dye.

Update

I have been gentler with my hair but in humid weather it still likes to curl over itself in some places. With the 8 hour brewing time for catnip, I have noticed that any friction is not resulting in more white dots. In fact my white dots are at an all time low! I am back to 0 split ends or knotting, using shampoo before every catnip treatment.

I am extremely happy with my hair right now and it is "growing like a weed". No breakage taper either, which is normal for me with catnip. I need to trim, just to keep my hemline blunt but happy, I am.

Did anyone else have some kind of scrunchy/dry/tangled feelings after using catnip for the first time? I got petstore catnip, steeped it in boiled water for about 45 minutes then let it cool with a cover. After it had cooled, I poured it into a cleaned out shampoo bottle and let it cool further in the fridge for 30 minutes before putting it on my wet hair. I left it on underneath a bag for 45 minutes then rinsed with lukewarm water. Did I do anything that might have been "bad" ?

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Originally Posted by Kristen_Marie

Did anyone else have some kind of scrunchy/dry/tangled feelings after using catnip for the first time? I got petstore catnip, steeped it in boiled water for about 45 minutes then let it cool with a cover. After it had cooled, I poured it into a cleaned out shampoo bottle and let it cool further in the fridge for 30 minutes before putting it on my wet hair. I left it on underneath a bag for 45 minutes then rinsed with lukewarm water. Did I do anything that might have been "bad" ?

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No you did nothing bad. When first using catnip, it depends on what may still be on your hair, like residue, that can affect it working as well as it could. Catnip use gets better over time. It is best, from my experience to use it on clean hair (I use shampoo). I first used it over build-up and that gradually washed out. Others with less to no build-up, have reported faster results. It took months and experimenting with dilutions and timing as well, to get my hair to where it is now.

I agree with Ktani, my experience with catnip is it gets better over time. I use it twice a week, soaking as you did. So, no, you did not do anything wrong.

Thank you ktani and kdaniels881! This makes me feel a bit better. I think I do have some build up going as I'm currently experimenting with the CO method and still working on finding the right conditioner and clarification combination. I will try catnip again after a shampoo day.

Thanks for the advice! :)

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Originally Posted by Kristen_Marie

Thank you ktani and kdaniels881! This makes me feel a bit better. I think I do have some build up going as I'm currently experimenting with the CO method and still working on finding the right conditioner and clarification combination. I will try catnip again after a shampoo day.

Thanks for the advice! :)

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You are most welcome!

That would do it. Catnip does not do as well over conditioner, especially if there has been a lot of it used consistently. It is not so much build-up, that would make your hair feel dry, or be difficult to handle on its own yet, as layers of ingredients that prevent catnip from accessing the hair. Before you try catnip again, I suggest clarifying. You can use a shampoo for normal hair, to remove most of the conditioner.

from using this from end of last month.
update-
no split ends so far, (yes i get split ends that quickly)

:D

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Originally Posted by rach

from using this from end of last month.
update-
no split ends so far, (yes i get split ends that quickly)

:D

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Wonderful news!

For me, catnip forever, in part, for the same reason!

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Originally Posted by ktani

You are most welcome!

That would do it. Catnip does not do as well over conditioner, especially if there has been a lot of it used consistently. It is not so much build-up, that would make your hair feel dry, or be difficult to handle on its own yet, as layers of ingredients that prevent catnip from accessing the hair. Before you try catnip again, I suggest clarifying. You can use a shampoo for normal hair, to remove most of the conditioner.

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Is henna classed as a 'conditioner' here? I take it using catnip straight after henna would have no effect..?

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Originally Posted by BunnyBee

Is henna classed as a 'conditioner' here? I take it using catnip straight after henna would have no effect..?

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Henna has conditioning properties but it also contains a fair amount of resin, a coating that can make the hair feel dry immediately following a henna application. The resin washes out between applications though, so catnip would be able to access the hair, depending at what stage between henna applications it is applied.

Catnip is used by people who henna here. The results would vary IMO.

Wow, this is so interesting. I'm very curious about trying it. Why haven't we ever seen a mainstream shampoo/conditioner with catnip as the main ingredient?

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Originally Posted by watermelon

Wow, this is so interesting. I'm very curious about trying it. Why haven't we ever seen a mainstream shampoo/conditioner with catnip as the main ingredient?

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Good question but from my experience, catnip is better as a conditioner and on its own, with nothing added to it. I was instinctive on that, but based on my experiments, for me, I am right.

Update

I have been experimenting again but not with my catnip routine or timing.

Having wavy, mixed fine/medium hair with a short s pattern has certain advantages. I do not need to acces the weather network to know how humid it is. I just have to look at my hair.

Before I started to use catnip and when I had started to use other plants (first chamomile tea, then linden flower tea) Toronto humidity turned my hair into a major frizz fest on certain days. Now that my hair is at its peak in terms of conditioning, especially with my new brewing time for catnip (8 hours), my hair reacts much less to humidity and is no longer what I would call frizzy. But it has not been as smooth as I would like it on the more humid days. I stretch my waves by moulding them with my hands. I do not use any product or blow dry my hair. I just air dry it.

I have been experimenting recently though with hair friendly ways to smooth it. Having read the methods recommended to smooth the hair with silicone and brushing with a boar bristle brush, it occured to me that there may be a way to do that without product or a tool.

I use my hands, specifically my palms. In the shower, as a final step after rinsing out the catnip treatment, I smooth my hair length (held in front of me as I wash and rinse my hair all forward), before squeezing out most of the excess water. I just hold the length in one hand and run my hand down, over the length with the other.

I repeat that after towel blotting. The idea is to smooth the cuticles while they are wet. When I am manipulating my waves, shaping my hair, I use the flat of my hand to smooth the hair (top layer) as well. I have separated the hair and finger combed slightly before this. The hair is mostly still wet but really what I would call semi damp.

It works. I still need to wet and reshape those single, annoying hairs that do what they want anyway but over all my hair is much smoother than it has been, before doing this.

ETA: I washed my hair before going to school Monday but did not have time to fuss with it very much and it was humid. I did not like the way it turned out, so tonight, I rewet my hair from the ears down (not soaked, I just wet my hands and ran them down both sides pulled forward), shaped the waves, let it dry and put it up, to get it out of my way, while doing chores). I just took it down. My length is still smooth and wavy. It is humid here right now but my hair does not indicate that the way that it used to do. So, this method can be used on hair that has dried not in the best shape and that has reacted to the weather already. Catnip allows my hair to do that. Before using it, this would not have worked. I used to try to reshape it by rewetting my hair on occasion and it would almost immediately revert to its previous shape and condition, when dry. I also used to try putting it up slightly damp, hoping that wearing it up for a few hours would help smooth it out but that never worked either. When I would take it down it would be dry but still frizzy.

I tried catnip a few times in the past, but didn't get much results (user error, pretty sure). I am interested in trying it again, my dry ends don't seem to be responding to anything I am trying. However, I am wondering if it will work for me. I do not use shampoo of any kind, only indian herbs for washing (shikakai, amla, tulsi, cassia, etc....) From reading in this post, it sounds like these might coat the hair too much for the catnip to be effective. Do you pretty much have to use shampoo to have catnip work? I am also currently applying fox's shea cream to my ends and I'm guessing this would also coat the hair too much for the catnip to penetrate....? I use a mister bottle with some oil in it also and sometimes oil the length with evoo. Would I need to quit oiling my hair, misting and using the fox cream to allow the catnip access?

I use herbs, also. I do not use them on the length, only the scalp. I soak my length in catnip tea - steeped in a mug for 8 hours as Ktani mentions - and ponytail it in a sandwich bag to keep it good and wet. Then make up my herb mix - also steep it and apply it to my scalp when it cools. Let it sit 15 minutes or so, then into the shower and rinse the whole thing out. This method is what works for me. The catnip is my conditioner and my comb runs right through it without any tangles when wet. Just like my old coney conditioner!

I did notice after several months a buildup - probably from using oils on the length. Clarifying stripped it so much I needed to do an SMT but went back to my usual routine after that and my hair is just fine. I hope that helps answer your question about using herbs with catnip (catnip is an herb, too!) If not, please ask more questions and good luck - let us know how this works for you if you decide to try it.

Edit - oh, yes, I used coconut oil on the length while my hair is damp and wash it about ever 4-5 days.

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Originally Posted by kdaniels8811

I use herbs, also. I do not use them on the length, only the scalp. I soak my length in catnip tea - steeped in a mug for 8 hours as Ktani mentions - and ponytail it in a sandwich bag to keep it good and wet. Then make up my herb mix - also steep it and apply it to my scalp when it cools. Let it sit 15 minutes or so, then into the shower and rinse the whole thing out. This method is what works for me. The catnip is my conditioner and my comb runs right through it without any tangles when wet. Just like my old coney conditioner!

I did notice after several months a buildup - probably from using oils on the length. Clarifying stripped it so much I needed to do an SMT but went back to my usual routine after that and my hair is just fine. I hope that helps answer your question about using herbs with catnip (catnip is an herb, too!) If not, please ask more questions and good luck - let us know how this works for you if you decide to try it.

Edit - oh, yes, I used coconut oil on the length while my hair is damp and wash it about ever 4-5 days.

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Thank you for answering this. Your system works with occasional clarifying and I believe that you have the answer for using catnip with herb washes.

I am removing and reapplying catnip each time, so I do not need to clarify, as I find that I do not need to use anything else like oils.

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Originally Posted by kdaniels8811

I use herbs, also. I do not use them on the length, only the scalp. I soak my length in catnip tea - steeped in a mug for 8 hours as Ktani mentions - and ponytail it in a sandwich bag to keep it good and wet. Then make up my herb mix - also steep it and apply it to my scalp when it cools. Let it sit 15 minutes or so, then into the shower and rinse the whole thing out. This method is what works for me. The catnip is my conditioner and my comb runs right through it without any tangles when wet. Just like my old coney conditioner!

I did notice after several months a buildup - probably from using oils on the length. Clarifying stripped it so much I needed to do an SMT but went back to my usual routine after that and my hair is just fine. I hope that helps answer your question about using herbs with catnip (catnip is an herb, too!) If not, please ask more questions and good luck - let us know how this works for you if you decide to try it.

Edit - oh, yes, I used coconut oil on the length while my hair is damp and wash it about ever 4-5 days.

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Sorry to be so confused...so you are using coconut oil, and then applying the catnip on top of that on wash day? It doesn't prevent the catnip from penetrating and benefiting the hair?

Hi Ktani :waving: I'm really keen to try the catnip out and have FINALLY managed to get some. It was very hard to find it and I rang many pet stores. Eventually I found some in small "tea bags" which I will open up to get the one teaspoon measurement for <300ml water. I have some on order from ebay, so hopefully that will be more economical.

Anyway, I digress :) Some questions: how important is it to really rinse the catnip out? After I've done the one hour treatment and get back into the shower to rinse, should I rinse and rinse and rinse? Or just a quick rinse and leave some in there? Secondly, I see you like the brewing time of 8 hours. I am wondering if brewing it any longer than this would cause any problems? I was thinking of making it tonight, and letting it sit overnight. Will it keep? I mean if I could not use it that day for some reason, could I use it the next day?

I am going to try your method exactly...ie shampoo and not condition. I'm willing to stop COing if the catnip method is successful for me :) I'm hoping to achieve some smoothness and get some moisture to my unruly/wavy/flyaway hair (especially my troublesome velcro ends!). Your experience with it encourages me greatly.

I will update my results here.

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Originally Posted by Rini

Hi Ktani :waving: I'm really keen to try the catnip out and have FINALLY managed to get some. It was very hard to find it and I rang many pet stores. Eventually I found some in small "tea bags" which I will open up to get the one teaspoon measurement for <300ml water. I have some on order from ebay, so hopefully that will be more economical.

Anyway, I digress :) Some questions: how important is it to really rinse the catnip out? After I've done the one hour treatment and get back into the shower to rinse, should I rinse and rinse and rinse? Or just a quick rinse and leave some in there? Secondly, I see you like the brewing time of 8 hours. I am wondering if brewing it any longer than this would cause any problems? I was thinking of making it tonight, and letting it sit overnight. Will it keep? I mean if I could not use it that day for some reason, could I use it the next day?

I am going to try your method exactly...ie shampoo and not condition. I'm willing to stop COing if the catnip method is successful for me :) I'm hoping to achieve some smoothness and get some moisture to my unruly/wavy/flyaway hair (especially my troublesome velcro ends!). Your experience with it encourages me greatly.

I will update my results here.

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Hi Rini

I will answer your questions in order.

1. how important is it to really rinse the catnip out?
I find that it is important for me to rinse the catnip out completely. My hair is on the fine side (fine/medium) and my hair looks and feels better with catnip rinsed out.

2. After I've done the one hour treatment and get back into the shower to rinse, should I rinse and rinse and rinse? Or just a quick rinse and leave some in there?
Rinse it out completely, if you are following my routine. I have found with a good shampoo, that the water pressure and gently separating my hair is all I need to remove any snags. My hair just no longer tangles in the shower and when rinsed out, my hair feels silky smooth. I start off bringing my hair all forward in the shower and separate it and smooth it out before washing it. No tangles, no problems. Then I apply the catnip to sections after shampooing and rinsing out the shampoo all forward too. I start with the underneath areas of what my hair is right side up. I bag that pinned up. I then take that down and apply the catnip to the top layers, with the length hanging out of the bag. I then bring everything all forward for the final rinse. Still with all of that? No tangles no knots, no split ends. I just find it easier to grab and separate my hair with it in front of me, from the time I first grew it out. Only with catnip though, have I been able to do what I do now without getting tangles or hair catching on itself.

3. Secondly, I see you like the brewing time of 8 hours. I am wondering if brewing it any longer than this would cause any problems? I was thinking of making it tonight, and letting it sit overnight. Will it keep? I mean if I could not use it that day for some reason, could I use it the next day?
I would not brew it longer than 8 hours. It should not be a problem but I just do not think that it is a good idea to have it out that long, and brewing in the fridge (it was done when someone was in a hurry) does not sound right to me. The coldness may slow down how well the catnip qualities are released into the water or affect it somehow in the process. I have not thought that through. I am just not doing it.

After brewing the catnip at room temperature for 8 hours it is very important to refridgerate it, if you are not going to use it right away. Although catnip is antibacterial and antiviral, and although I have never had it go off, in between uses, it is always refidgerated when I am not using it. It can keep up to a week. I have actually used it older than that but I cannot in good conscience recommend that. It should be fine for 1 week, refridgerated. I use most of the batch all at once on my hair but I keep some behind, to use on my skin, so only once, at the beginning, is a batch used on my hair. I wash my hair once a week. I have gone longer than that but I usually make a new batch, when I do that. Catnip tea is just catnip and water. Treat it like you would any liquid with water that is not preserved. It keeps well but refridgerate it when not in use if you either make it in advance, or keep some left over after using it. I let it warm up to room temperature for about an hour if I have made it the day before I wash my hair and it is out, in the shower for at least another hour when I wash my hair. That has never been a problem for me. I use the leftover catnip cold, in the mornings. It is quite refreshing to wash my face with it that way, then it goes straight back into the fridge.

If you have been consistently CO'ing, I would suggest that you clarify, (a shampoo for normal hair will do unless you have a lot of build-up), to remove most of any conditioner residue. Catnip use gets better over time but any barrier to it accessing the hair, from my experience, impedes how well it conditions.

I am happy to answer any and all questions you or anyone else has about my routine.

Right. Got it! Thanks Ktani :D

I will brew it for 8 hours at room temp, then refridgerate to use ASAP. Not looking forward to putting cold liquid into my hair though...

One more question, you mentioned that your hair is wavy and I am wondering if the catnip effects the strength of your wave pattern at all? ie...does it make it wavier or straighter or no effect either way?

Oh, and yes, I had planned to clarify before hand. I want maximum catnip penetration!