Catnip for split ends?

Hi, sorry if my questions have been asked, I didn't read any further than page 25 (which took me several hours - pfff).

So, question #1: I read that catnip doesn't do well on build up. I don't use any cones and henna resin is usually gone pretty quickly from my hair, but what about aloe vera gel? Is there a lot of mucilage in aloe vera?

Question #2: I live in an area with very hard water. Therefore I use a white vinegar rinse every time I wash my hair. Can I subsitute my vinegar rinse with catnip, or doesn't catnip do as well in hard water areas?

Question #3: In the first 25 pages people tended to leave the catnip rinse in for long periods of time (30 minutes to an hour). I wash my hair almost daily and wouldn't have time to do this. I a shorter time period also effective? If so, what time period?

Question #4. Can anybody from the netherlands tell me where I can find good quality catnip? The two (small) petstores in my neighboorhood both don't carry it :(.

Any help on any of the questions is greatly appreciated!!

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Originally Posted by Marjolein

Hi, sorry if my questions have been asked, I didn't read any further than page 25 (which took me several hours - pfff).

So, question #1: I read that catnip doesn't do well on build up. I don't use any cones and henna resin is usually gone pretty quickly from my hair, but what about aloe vera gel? Is there a lot of mucilage in aloe vera?

It has enough in my opinion that you may need to clarify. I would not use catnip over it.

Question #2: I live in an area with very hard water. Therefore I use a white vinegar rinse every time I wash my hair. Can I subsitute my vinegar rinse with catnip, or doesn't catnip do as well in hard water areas?

I would use the vinegar rinse then catnip or you could substitute the catnip for it. You can try both.

Question #3: In the first 25 pages people tended to leave the catnip rinse in for long periods of time (30 minutes to an hour). I wash my hair almost daily and wouldn't have time to do this. I a shorter time period also effective? If so, what time period?

My hair needs the longer time period. You can experiment. I only wash my hair once a week though.

Question #4. Can anybody from the netherlands tell me where I can find good quality catnip? The two (small) petstores in my neighboorhood both don't carry it :(.

I think that you may need to oder it from online.

Any help on any of the questions is greatly appreciated!!

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I replied to each question in bold.

Great, thanks Ktani!

One more follow up question:
I use SLS free shampoo (hmm, aloe vera shampoo, now that I come to think of it). Would such a shampoo be clarifying enough to remove the build-up from my occasional aloe vera gel treatment, or would I need another/harsher shampoo?

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Originally Posted by ktani

Not that I can recall.

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Thank you for your response! :)

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Originally Posted by little_cherry

Thank you for your response! :)

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You are most welcome!

I would think a shampoo for normal hair would be enough to do the job. It should be sufficient. You would have to go by how your hair feels and reacts as to how much if any real buil-up you have and that can be tricky to estimate. I do not think that you need to start with a harsher clarifyer.

two questions. i seem to remember someone saying that only the flowers do any good. Are the leaves bad for your hair, or just less conditioning? I ordered some catnip online not realizing there was a difference between leaves & flowers, and opened to realize it was all leaves. Is it totally a loss, or can I still use these?

Also - catnip before henna, yes or no? Will it block dye uptake? I do it once a week or so, and I did it just a couple days ago and was going to henna tomorrow. Will it keep the henna from staining, or do I have to clarify first?

Jenn

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Originally Posted by earthymamawitch

two questions. i seem to remember someone saying that only the flowers do any good. Are the leaves bad for your hair, or just less conditioning? I ordered some catnip online not realizing there was a difference between leaves & flowers, and opened to realize it was all leaves. Is it totally a loss, or can I still use these?

Also - catnip before henna, yes or no? Will it block dye uptake? I do it once a week or so, and I did it just a couple days ago and was going to henna tomorrow. Will it keep the henna from staining, or do I have to clarify first?

Jenn

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The flowers contain more of the oils than the leaves. I have used flowers and leaves but some of the mixes I have used have had very few flowers. The leaves should be fine but leaves and flowers are more conditioning. Someone prefers buds (flowers only).

I do not think catnip will impede henna dye. If concerned shampoo but you will need only a mild shampoo, not a clarifying one.

Ktani, I've continued using bud-only infusion, and I feel like I'm permanently indebted to you. This has been nothing but wonderful for my hair. The only splits I get now are tiny bends, and there are so few of them that they're easy to find and trim off, it's wonderful! :inlove:

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Originally Posted by Kirry-Folk

Ktani, I've continued using bud-only infusion, and I feel like I'm permanently indebted to you. This has been nothing but wonderful for my hair. The only splits I get now are tiny bends, and there are so few of them that they're easy to find and trim off, it's wonderful! :inlove:

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I am so pleased that you are so pleased!

Ktani,

Have you any pictures of the color you get on your whites from catnip?

I'm using cassia, but it leaves my thick, medium/coarse, wavy hair really poofy and overly thick, which would be fine if I had fine/medium hair. Now that it's been a month since my last cassia, my hair is so much silkier, and I dread doing it again, but crave that golden color on my whites. Of course, I'd be satisfied with any color in the blond family.

I think I read in the thread that for color, as well as conditioning, you make a tea, let it cool, then use it after you shampoo, leaving in your hair for 30 mins? How many times must you do this to have a color build up on your whites? Thereafter, you must reapply every time you shampoo?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by whiteisle

I was wondering if washing CO is sufficient for cleaning the hair prior to doing a catnip rinse or is it better to do shampoo?

I have a ton of coconut oil in my hair right now due to a heavy overnight oiling that needs to be washed out and I wanted to try the catnip today but wasn't sure if the conditioner would leave a residue. It would be the V05 Vanilla Mint Tea one if it matters. :)

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I have been regularly CO washing with V05 Clarifying Vanilla Mint Tea conditioner and then soaking my hair in catnip tea for an hour and rinsing out and applying a conditioner and quickly rinsing out. It is working great for me! Splits have not yet been totally eliminated but I wear my hair down all the time and brush it so I"m sure some splits are just mechanical damage. I can feel and see a definite improvement in my hair since doing the catnip tea soaks. It seems to be, at least on some level, successful for me without shampooing first.

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Originally Posted by Sissy

I have been regularly CO washing with V05 Clarifying Vanilla Mint Tea conditioner and then soaking my hair in catnip tea for an hour and rinsing out and applying a conditioner and quickly rinsing out. It is working great for me! Splits have not yet been totally eliminated but I wear my hair down all the time and brush it so I"m sure some splits are just mechanical damage. I can feel and see a definite improvement in my hair since doing the catnip tea soaks. It seems to be, at least on some level, successful for me without shampooing first.

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If it works that way for you, great!

For me, it did not over conditioner, even though I shampooed. The shampoo did not remove all traces of conditioner.

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Originally Posted by felista

Ktani,

Have you any pictures of the color you get on your whites from catnip?

I'm using cassia, but it leaves my thick, medium/coarse, wavy hair really poofy and overly thick, which would be fine if I had fine/medium hair. Now that it's been a month since my last cassia, my hair is so much silkier, and I dread doing it again, but crave that golden color on my whites. Of course, I'd be satisfied with any color in the blond family.

I think I read in the thread that for color, as well as conditioning, you make a tea, let it cool, then use it after you shampoo, leaving in your hair for 30 mins? How many times must you do this to have a color build up on your whites? Thereafter, you must reapply every time you shampoo?

Thanks

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I'm sure Ktani will respond but in the meantime I thought I would also respond to your question.

I've been using catnip myself for conditioning and colouring for nearly 10 months now and am very pleased with the light ash blonde stain being picked up by my white hair. I use catnip everytime I shampoo and then bag for 1 hour. It does take a little while for the stain to build up on the whites but it is worth sticking with it. I have also found that I don't need to use any other conditioner or oils on my hair. Hope you give it a try.:D

This picture was taken some months ago but shows some of the stain my white hair has picked up.
http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/w.../Catnip1-2.jpg

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Originally Posted by felista

Ktani,

Have you any pictures of the color you get on your whites from catnip?

I'm using cassia, but it leaves my thick, medium/coarse, wavy hair really poofy and overly thick, which would be fine if I had fine/medium hair. Now that it's been a month since my last cassia, my hair is so much silkier, and I dread doing it again, but crave that golden color on my whites. Of course, I'd be satisfied with any color in the blond family.

I think I read in the thread that for color, as well as conditioning, you make a tea, let it cool, then use it after you shampoo, leaving in your hair for 30 mins? How many times must you do this to have a color build up on your whites? Thereafter, you must reapply every time you shampoo?

Thanks

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KarpatiiSiv is doing what I have done and my stain is a light ash/warm blonde too. If you look at my profile picture it shows you how the colour blends with my natural hair colour. The lightest colour at the front of my hair is white underneath the colour there.

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Originally Posted by KarpatiiSiv

It does take a little while for the stain to build up on the whites but it is worth sticking with it. I have also found that I don't need to use any other conditioner or oils on my hair. Hope you give it a try.:D

This picture was taken some months ago but shows some of the stain my white hair has picked up.
http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/w.../Catnip1-2.jpg

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Ohhh, very nice. Like blond highlights, really. Thank you so much for sharing the picture on the thread. Being a newbie, either I don't have access to profile pics, attachments, etc, or I haven't figured out how to view them.

So, using catnip as your only conditioner every time you shampoo, and "bagging" it (I'm assuming this means putting your hair up in a shower cap to keep the tea on) for an hour builds up that nice blond color?

I also read that catnip doesn't have resin or mucilage, so my hair would probably not misbehave as badly as it has with cassia. Longer lasting cassia treatment vs. every time catnip condition??? I really don't know that I'd have the time necessary to do the catnip at this stage of life. I have young kids and I'm lucky to get 5 mins alone for a shower.

But, it is nice to know that catnip can do that, and it is such a good conditioner as well. I wonder if I could grow enough catnip to use this method? Interesting...

Thank you again!

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Originally Posted by felista

Ohhh, very nice. Like blond highlights, really. Thank you so much for sharing the picture on the thread. Being a newbie, either I don't have access to profile pics, attachments, etc, or I haven't figured out how to view them.

So, using catnip as your only conditioner every time you shampoo, and "bagging" it (I'm assuming this means putting your hair up in a shower cap to keep the tea on) for an hour builds up that nice blond color?

I also read that catnip doesn't have resin or mucilage, so my hair would probably not misbehave as badly as it has with cassia. Longer lasting cassia treatment vs. every time catnip condition??? I really don't know that I'd have the time necessary to do the catnip at this stage of life. I have young kids and I'm lucky to get 5 mins alone for a shower.

But, it is nice to know that catnip can do that, and it is such a good conditioner as well. I wonder if I could grow enough catnip to use this method? Interesting...

Thank you again!

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Hi there,

If your hair is already white you will get those sorts of stainings/highlights. However, if your hair is brownish like mine catnip soaks will not affect your color. It is not able to lighten or change the color of hair it is only able to stain/color white hair. I'm not sure if you knew that already, I just thought I'd throw it out there.

I have never tried cassia but I do like catnip. I know it seems like a pain but recently I started using it again and have noticed improvements in the amount of split ends I have. I try to make the routine as painless as possible. The way I make it easier on myself is to make two mugs of catnip tea in advance and they will last the week if kept refrigerated. So, before I shower I get my container out of the fridge and let it warm up to room temp (sometimes I don't take it out in time so I end up applying it to my hair when it's cold). I take my shower and CO wash in the shower (sometimes I shampoo too). Then I get out and part my hair to each side. I dip my length into the bowl of catnip tea. I dip both sides of my head and gently run the excess tea of my length with my fingers (I try to leave as much tea on as I can tolerate). then I put my hair into a pony and wrap the hair around int a quick type of bun and put a ziplock baggie over it and put a second scrunchie over top of the bag to hold it in place. I then add a plastic shower cap to further contain any drips. I go around doing my business for the next hour while my hair is soaking up the catnip treatment. Then I do a quick rinse in the sink and apply a bit of conditioner and rinse and apply a leave-in (usually camellia oil or giovanni direct leave-in). However, many people just do the catnip soak and then rinse. They skip conditioners and oils all together. I don't really feel that I need to add the extra conditioner, I just like to.

Also, I keep my catnip tea in a plastic bowl with air tight lid so that when I go to the gym I can just take it with me in my bag. After I workout and swim I shower and then I soak my hair in catnip the same way. I bag it up and place a winter hat on over it and leave the gym. Nobody even knows I have a plastic disposable shower cap and ziplock bag on my head. I will drive to pick my husband up from work that way too. It's quite comfortable when it's contained under the plastic shower cap and a winter hat. I shower daily due to working out and getting sweaty so I find these little tricks make doing catnip soaks less of a hassle.

Hope this helps.

ETA: I know you said you can't see albums yet so I will post a pic here. Here is a pic of my hair after doing catnip soaks. This time I left the catnip in my hair without rinsing and let my hair air dry. It came out acceptable as you can see. It looks maybe a tad greasy in the length but overall it felt OK. I do prefer the feel of my hair when I rinse the catnip treatment out though. Anyhow, you can see it did not change my hair color at all.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...ictureid=64595

Does the stain on white hairs come out after regular washing or is it permanent? I'd like to try out catnip, but am not sure I'm willing to have something permanently dye my sparkling new whites. ;)

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Originally Posted by justme

Does the stain on white hairs come out after regular washing or is it permanent? I'd like to try out catnip, but am not sure I'm willing to have something permanently dye my sparkling new whites. ;)

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Catnip stain is not permanent. It will wash out eventually with shampoo. Some washes out with each shampoo. That is why I reapply it each time I wash my hair. It will stain darker hair too. It will just not show up on darker hair colours. It is too light in colour.

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Originally Posted by ktani

Catnip stain is not permanent. It will wash out eventually with shampoo. Some washes out with each shampoo. That is why I reapply it each time I wash my hair. It will stain darker hair too. It will just not show up on darker hair colours. It is too light in colour.

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good to know. On the discussion of catnip tea staining white hair... is there anything with the nice effects of catnip that could actually darken hair like mine? I wonder if there is anything that could be mixed with catnip tea that wouldn't defeat the good properties of the catnip (the moisturizing and decreasing split ends) but would help darken hair?

Also, just out of curiosity...

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed but do we know what exactly it is about catnip that makes it so great for hair? Given it's fantastic benefits, why do we not see catnip as an ingredient in commercial hair or skin products? Companies don't seem afraid to use any other strange type of ingredient, even sea kelp and dead sea salts so why don't they start using catnip?

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Originally Posted by Sissy

good to know. On the discussion of catnip tea staining white hair... is there anything with the nice effects of catnip that could actually darken hair like mine? I wonder if there is anything that could be mixed with catnip tea that wouldn't defeat the good properties of the catnip (the moisturizing and decreasing split ends) but would help darken hair?

Also, just out of curiosity...

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed but do we know what exactly it is about catnip that makes it so great for hair? Given it's fantastic benefits, why do we not see catnip as an ingredient in commercial hair or skin products? Companies don't seem afraid to use any other strange type of ingredient, even sea kelp and dead sea salts so why don't they start using catnip?

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Hard to say what adding anything to catnip would do re the benefits. It would depend entirely on the properties and constituents of what is used.

As to companies adding catnip to conventional products, it is not mainstream enough, although you can find references to it on the internet and it was stated here a good while back to be used for "growth and shine".

I just pushed it through experimentation, to see what it could do for conditioning and colour. To my surprise, it has split end preventative qualities for me. I have not been able to pin down exactly what is working to do that. I think it is a combination of everything in it. All I know is that for me, it works. Hair colour and conditioning, in one product.

I finally got around to doing a catnip rinse (yay!) and I think I like the results so far. I washed with Kiwi Lime Squeeze because I have used cones this week so I wanted to make sure my hair was definitely clean.

But I've got another washing question. Is there any "natural" way to wash (ie egg wash) that would suffice or perhaps a shampoo like the Giovanni?

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Originally Posted by whiteisle

I finally got around to doing a catnip rinse (yay!) and I think I like the results so far. I washed with Kiwi Lime Squeeze because I have used cones this week so I wanted to make sure my hair was definitely clean.

But I've got another washing question. Is there any "natural" way to wash (ie egg wash) that would suffice or perhaps a shampoo like the Giovanni?

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Experiment. An egg wash without a vinegar rinse may leave a coating on the hair and any shampoo used should be one that does not build-up. I have never tried an egg shampoo although I am intrigued by the idea.

So...you think an egg wash with a vinegar rinse wouldn't leave a buildup?

I'm dying to find a way to wash my hair without leaving buildup or stripping it entirely and it's really annoying. In the winter my hair needs extra things like frequent deep conditioning and leave-ins, but at the same time I really do want to do more catnip treatments (finding more and more splits. :( - that's what leaving hair down often will do...at least in my case). Lately I've been using Very Sexy Hair's Pumpkin Shampoo and it's fairly gentle, as far as shampoos, and leaves my hair feeling bouncy and not stripped (at least until a day or two later when the itchies set in - directly attributable to the shampoo, as my scalp is never itchy using CO or herbs...even a week after washing). My last herb wash definitely left a residue, despite the vinegar rinse, as it was incredibly tangly and felt "buildupy".

Giovanni's Smooth as Silk shampoo has been just as stripping and drying, if not more so, on my hair and scalp as sls shampoos. The last few sls shampoos I've used were: the pumpkin one listed above, bath and body works aromatherapy (two kinds), organix coconut...umm...I feel like I'm missing one.... they wash my hair great when I've allowed it to go around two weeks without washing, but by then it's so "grimey" that it's just too much to bear. A heavy oiling beforehand hasn't quite recreated the same look, as it seems to be really difficult to wash out thoroughly, unless CO-ing or herb washing....which lead me back to the build up beginning. Ahh!

Sorry for the long and self-indulgent rant. It's just been a bit annoying lately between still trying to find a good washing routine, the weather drying out my hair and skin, and not being able to wear my hair down as it's too cold to not layer and hair gets trapped and tangled on hoods and scarves.

And I bought new catnip and wanna use it. :mad:

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Originally Posted by Zombiekins

So...you think an egg wash with a vinegar rinse wouldn't leave a buildup?

I'm dying to find a way to wash my hair without leaving buildup or stripping it entirely and it's really annoying. In the winter my hair needs extra things like frequent deep conditioning and leave-ins, but at the same time I really do want to do more catnip treatments (finding more and more splits. :( - that's what leaving hair down often will do...at least in my case). Lately I've been using Very Sexy Hair's Pumpkin Shampoo and it's fairly gentle, as far as shampoos, and leaves my hair feeling bouncy and not stripped (at least until a day or two later when the itchies set in - directly attributable to the shampoo, as my scalp is never itchy using CO or herbs...even a week after washing). My last herb wash definitely left a residue, despite the vinegar rinse, as it was incredibly tangly and felt "buildupy".

Giovanni's Smooth as Silk shampoo has been just as stripping and drying, if not more so, on my hair and scalp as sls shampoos. The last few sls shampoos I've used were: the pumpkin one listed above, bath and body works aromatherapy (two kinds), organix coconut...umm...I feel like I'm missing one.... they wash my hair great when I've allowed it to go around two weeks without washing, but by then it's so "grimey" that it's just too much to bear. A heavy oiling beforehand hasn't quite recreated the same look, as it seems to be really difficult to wash out thoroughly, unless CO-ing or herb washing....which lead me back to the build up beginning. Ahh!

Sorry for the long and self-indulgent rant. It's just been a bit annoying lately between still trying to find a good washing routine, the weather drying out my hair and skin, and not being able to wear my hair down as it's too cold to not layer and hair gets trapped and tangled on hoods and scarves.

And I bought new catnip and wanna use it. :mad:

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Hi Zombiekins,

I CO wash my hair daily and have been using a catnip rinse/soak daily too. I still seem to bet getting some good effects from the catnip, even though I am not shampooing each day. I use V05 Clarifying Vanilla Mint Tea conditioner.

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Originally Posted by ktani

Hard to say what adding anything to catnip would do re the benefits. It would depend entirely on the properties and constituents of what is used.

As to companies adding catnip to conventional products, it is not mainstream enough, although you can find references to it on the internet and it was stated here a good while back to be used for "growth and shine".

I just pushed it through experimentation, to see what it could do for conditioning and colour. To my surprise, it has split end preventative qualities for me. I have not been able to pin down exactly what is working to do that. I think it is a combination of everything in it. All I know is that for me, it works. Hair colour and conditioning, in one product.

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Ktani,

Thanks for the helpful answer :)

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Originally Posted by sibiryachka

Ktani, this raises a point I've been wondering about: Is it the volatile oils in catnip that give it its effect on hair & skin? My intuition is yes, but it does seem you're the person to ask... I've been toying with the idea of making a tincture of it, for use in bathwater. I know, simpler to just infuse some of and add that to the water - but I was thinking more in terms of giving it as gifts. If it would even work, that is. : )

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I missed this question. Sorry.

I do not believe that it is only one thing in the catnip that makes it special. I honestly believe that it is the combination of constituents that are working in unison.

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Originally Posted by Sissy

Hi Zombiekins,

I CO wash my hair daily and have been using a catnip rinse/soak daily too. I still seem to bet getting some good effects from the catnip, even though I am not shampooing each day. I use V05 Clarifying Vanilla Mint Tea conditioner.

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I never found the same results with using catnip on hair that had been conditioned previously as I do with hair that has been shampooed. I tried using minimal conditioner that I hoped would be washed out with shampoo each time but catnip would not stain well over it and the conditioning effects for me, were simply not as good as when I use shampoo, catnip and nothing else.

Well, it's the end of the day and I must say my first experience with catnip is a positive one. My hair is softer than I had anticipated, still a bit more tangley than I had hoped, but overall, great! To have used shampoo (and a clarifying one for that matter!) and just catnip afterwards my hair is surprisingly well behaved.

I went today and bought some Kiss My Face Whenever to use next time. I wash 3-4 times per week so I'm going to try shorter conditioning times with the catnip to see how that works. :)

Thanks ktani for all your help! :flowers:

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Originally Posted by whiteisle

Well, it's the end of the day and I must say my first experience with catnip is a positive one. My hair is softer than I had anticipated, still a bit more tangley than I had hoped, but overall, great! To have used shampoo (and a clarifying one for that matter!) and just catnip afterwards my hair is surprisingly well behaved.

I went today and bought some Kiss My Face Whenever to use next time. I wash 3-4 times per week so I'm going to try shorter conditioning times with the catnip to see how that works. :)

Thanks ktani for all your help! :flowers:

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You are most welcome! Some people still oil a bit after catnip but use very little and it washes out with shampoo so it works for them. My way is what I prefer and what works best for me.

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Originally Posted by ktani

As to companies adding catnip to conventional products, it is not mainstream enough, although you can find references to it on the internet and it was stated here a good while back to be used for "growth and shine".

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Hey Ktani,

Regarding our previous discussion about catnip not really being found in conventional products, I've found something interesting. I was looking at this Softee Indian Hemp Hair and Scalp Treatment that I bought for my husband a while back to help with his thinning hair (it contains Jaborandi Oil and Nettle Oil which may help with growth and to decrease shedding). I notice it contains, "Nepeta Cataria" although it is very low on the ingredient list, unfortunately. Wish they'd start including catnip in more products! The product is nice, even if it's too bad it's base is petrolatum!

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Originally Posted by Sissy

Hey Ktani,

Regarding our previous discussion about catnip not really being found in conventional products, I've found something interesting. I was looking at this Softee Indian Hemp Hair and Scalp Treatment that I bought for my husband a while back to help with his thinning hair (it contains Jaborandi Oil and Nettle Oil which may help with growth and to decrease shedding). I notice it contains, "Nepeta Cataria" although it is very low on the ingredient list, unfortunately. Wish they'd start including catnip in more products! The product is nice, even if it's too bad it's base is petrolatum!

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Petrolatum is not evil. Nice to see catnip being included in a conventional product!

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Originally Posted by ktani

Petrolatum is not evil. Nice to see catnip being included in a conventional product!

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oh, good to know. I guess the only downside too it is it can build-up? or clog the pores? Yeah, I thought you'd like seeing that. I wish catnip would start showing up in more products :)

If anyone else notices any conventional products containing catnip let us know :)

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Originally Posted by Sissy

oh, good to know. I guess the only downside too it is it can build-up? or clog the pores? Yeah, I thought you'd like seeing that. I wish catnip would start showing up in more products :)

If anyone else notices any conventional products containing catnip let us know :)

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You are most welcome.

I did research on petrolatum here, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...ght=petrolatum,

and here, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&postcount=100

and here, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&postcount=137 and a few more posts in the Nivea Creme thread.

I am just wondering.. those of you who CO, when do you do your rinse? Winter was pretty harsh on my hair this year so I am back to CO'ing for awhile.. so I can't do it right after I 'poo and then condition.. just wondering if I should put it in before or after :) I'm still cone-free.

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Originally Posted by Cherry_Sprinkle

I am just wondering.. those of you who CO, when do you do your rinse? Winter was pretty harsh on my hair this year so I am back to CO'ing for awhile.. so I can't do it right after I 'poo and then condition.. just wondering if I should put it in before or after :) I'm still cone-free.

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Hi Cherry,

I've been COing and using catnip at least a few times per week. The way I do it is to CO wash with V05 or White Rain. Then I get out of the shower and put my microfiber towel on my hair until I get dried off and dressed into my pajamas (I shower at night). Then I take my hair out of the towel and soak my length into my bowl of catnip tea (I keep it in the fridge for the whole week and take it out each afternoon so it's not so cold when I use it). I get both sides of my length really wet with the catnip then I put it up i a pony or quick bun and cover it with a ziplock baggie or a plastic shower cap. I then let it soak for an hour while I'm doing other things or watching TV. Then I rinse it out quickly in the bathroom sink and apply a bit of my rich conditioner or my leave-in oils, like Camellia.

On nights when I go to the gym and use catnip I apply it after I shower after swimming. I shampoo then condition then apply it right at the gym by soaking my length in my little bowl of catnip tea (it's a plastic food storage container with an air tight lid so I can take it with me to the gym). Then, I put my hair up and under a plastic shower cap and just make sure I wear a winter cap on my head out of the gym to keep me warm and so nobody sees me walking with a plastic shower cap on my head LOL. It works really well and allows me to use my catnip even while out and about at the gym. I do the same and rinse my catnip out an hour later at home.

Hope this helps.

:blossom: thanks! that does :)

This keeps coming up so I will clarify any concerns (I just had a pm that I replied to about about this).

Catnip stain is light yellow, not red or gold. It will not show up on darker hair. It is not like the gold one can get from chamomile. It is light yellow in a tone that is between ash and warm but it is still yellow. It is not however, a bright yellow like tumeric. It is a natural looking, soft colour.

Thanks for the reminder, Ktani. :) I know a lot of people freak on the "catnip stains the hair" issue and think it'll be a strong or lasting stain.

I can confirm that with two back to back catnip treatments my roots have enhanced golden tones, but everything else (hennaed) is exactly the same as it was before. My virgin hair already has golden tones (blech), which the catnip definitely strengthens, but only to my eye. I seriously doubt anybody else looking at my roots would notice. Since my hair is washed between catnip treatments, it never builds and was only noticeable this last time because of the two in a row session.

Just wanted to pop in and say hello while I'm sitting here with catnip on my hair :) I've been using it now for 6 months and it's definitely still working for me! So thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. I'm not sure if my hair is really much stronger or has less splits (I hope so though), but catnip makes it shiny!

So a little experiment.........the catnip I have been using was bought at the farmer's market back in the summer. It came in little zip baggies all chopped up.

Today I got some catnip tea from the health store that of course comes in tea bags. I brewed a batch of each to see if there would be any difference. I did the tea per the directions but doubled it. Here's what I got:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...00301_0244.jpg

The left is the loose stuff from the farmer's market and has a very yellow to yellow green tint. The catnip tea came out more reddish/coppery.

So my question is what, if any, difference may there be between the two? What does your tea look like? :D