Catnip for split ends?

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Originally Posted by BrightBlack

Thank you SO much for posting this! We have quite a bit of catnip due to a very entertaining kitty so I will be able to test this. ^_^ Split ends are my biggest problem but I would rather suffer them than use chemicals.

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You are most welcome! I just finished updating the catnip article, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&articleid=118, and blog post, with my newest steeping time.

It is the best one I have used so far. I started a while ago to keep my catnip stored in a clear plastic bottle. It allowed me to see any infusion differences. I noticed a particulate evident at longer steeping times that is not apparent at reduced steeping times.

It took a while before I could be sure of results because I often mixed steeping times over several washes, depending on my busy routine.

I finally started making the infusion at more convenient times and keeping the exact same steeping time to test my hypothesis. It worked. 4.75 hours and not one "fairy knot".

For some reason I haven't done a catnip soak in ages, I think I've been too busy with moving/uni etc.
I've definitely noticed an increase in splits since I've stopped doing the catnip soaks. So I did a catnip soak this morning after shampooing (I don't rinse it out) and my hair is lovely and soft, I'd forgotten how wonderful catnip soaks are, and hopefully I can get back on track with stopping split ends. :D
My flat mates think I'm nuts, one even thought I was a drug user after seeing me with a bag of catnip :p whoops!

Hello, I have a question, instead of using catnip tea can be used catnip essential oil?. Thanks very much.
(sorry for my english but I'm learning it)

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Originally Posted by celeste116

Hello, I have a question, instead of using catnip tea can be used catnip essential oil?. Thanks very much.
(sorry for my english but I'm learning it)

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Again, catnip oil like most essential oils can be a strong irritant. What makes catnip effective in my experience is the synergy (combination) of all of its constituents, and for me, that is a balanced mix of leaves and buds.

I just did a catnip rinse today after kind of forgetting about it for a few months. I've forgotten just how soft it makes my hair feel! I need to make time to do this more often.

Fatty acid profile of Nepeta Cataria (catnip), click to enlarge and read,
http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-p...7&size=largest

http://www.florahealth.com/flora/hom...ias/Catnip.htm
"The fats are comprised of: linolenic (57%), linoleic (18%), oleic acid (12%), and saturated fatty acids (6%)."

There is a lauric acid content.

I do know that with body heat, a catnip infusion is accessing my hair and penetrating somewhat and more than without body heat (covering my hair with plastic during a treatment). From results, I am very pleased. Does or can a catip infusion penetrate the hair shaft to the cortex? Some of its lauric acid may, not to the extent that coconut oil can though. I do not have an answer to that. I do know I no longer have a breakage taper or split ends. What exactly is working I cannot say. I just know that it is working.

I cannot wait for my hair to be long enough for catnip soaks again. I have told others about using it and they have had the same good results. Thanks for all your research, Ktani!

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Originally Posted by kdaniels8811

I cannot wait for my hair to be long enough for catnip soaks again. I have told others about using it and they have had the same good results. Thanks for all your research, Ktani!

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You are most welcome!

Considering that others have had reported a good hair growth result with catnip besides me, you could start now.

Hi Ktani!

I do herb washes and use catnip as the final rinse. Would adding a tsp of hibiscus powder 5 minutes before using he tea affect the catnip in anyway?

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Originally Posted by little_cherry

Hi Ktani!

I do herb washes and use catnip as the final rinse. Would adding a tsp of hibiscus powder 5 minutes before using he tea affect the catnip in anyway?

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It depends on what you are using the catnip for, a rinse or a treatment. I never found catnip as effective as a rinse. As a treatment, the mucilage in hibiscus would not allow catnip to have the same access to the hair. The herb washes may already be doing that as well. Many herbs coat hair.

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Originally Posted by ktani

It depends on what youare using the catnip for, a rinse or a treatment. I never found catnip effective as a rinse. As a treatment, the mucilage in hibiscus would not allow catnip to have the same access to the hair. The herb washes may already be doing that as well. Many herbs coat hair.

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Hmm, very interesting point. That does make a lot of sense. I use catnip as a final 'soaking rinse' once a week-- I leave it on for an hour after my shower and rinse it out. I wash with Aritha which I find is fairly clarifying. I think I'll leave my catnip soaks and hibiscus rinses separate. Thank you :flower:

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Originally Posted by little_cherry

Hmm, very interesting point. That does make a lot of sense. I use catnip as a final 'soaking rinse' once a week-- I leave it on for an hour after my shower and rinse it out. I wash with Aritha which I find is fairly clarifying. I think I'll leave my catnip soaks and hibiscus rinses separate. Thank you :flower:

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You are most welcome!

Aritha contains mucilage too. It is about how much of it is left behind after washing with it.

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Originally Posted by ktani

You are most welcome!

Aritha contains mucilage too. It is about how much of it is left behind after washing with it.

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That's also interesting to know! I make a tea with it (1tsp to 2 cups of water), strain it out, pour over my hair. I leave this on my hair for about 5-10 minutes and then spend another good 5-10 minutes washing it out.
Thanks once again! I will keep an eye on things.

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Originally Posted by little_cherry

That's also interesting to know! I make a tea with it (1tsp to 2 cups of water), strain it out, pour over my hair. I leave this on my hair for about 5-10 minutes and then spend another good 5-10 minutes washing it out.
Thanks once again! I will keep an eye on things.

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You are most welcome, again, lol.

ktani - First I want you to know your info here on catnip is greatly appreciate.

Question: Somewhere in these pages, I read of someone putting their catnip in the coffee grinder and using the powder ... If your recipe calls for 1 tsp of the pieces/bits; how much would you use of the powder compared to the pieces?

It just dawned on me after reading (again) that statement about it becoming more acidic(?) or drying when it's brewed stronger - that might be why my experience was more tangles and dryness. I was thinking after this brew is ready, I would dilute it with more water and go from there. What are your thoughts?
TIA 8-)

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Originally Posted by Linda K

ktani - First I want you to know your info here on catnip is greatly appreciate.

Question: Somewhere in these pages, I read of someone putting their catnip in the coffee grinder and using the powder ... If your recipe calls for 1 tsp of the pieces/bits; how much would you use of the powder compared to the pieces?

It just dawned on me after reading (again) that statement about it becoming more acidic(?) or drying when it's brewed stronger - that might be why my experience was more tangles and dryness. I was thinking after this brew is ready, I would dilute it with more water and go from there. What are your thoughts?
TIA 8-)

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Thank you!

You can buy catnip in powder form. I have no idea what it consists of - leaves only or a mix of leaves and buds, which is what I use. I have not seen it myself.

I have no idea why one would want to grind catnip into powder. You would need to recalulate the amount. I use 1 level teaspoon of cut and sifted leaves and buds.

Even when catnip is used at a stronger dilution it is not that drying in my experience. Steeped longer, catnip releases more of something that is not released during less hours - that caused my hair to knot and I started to see the odd split end. My hair was coated more and was "curlier" as well. Under 5 hours works just fine for me.

I think she powdered it to make it easier to measure .... not real sure on that tho.

I do recall she stated she just used it w/o straining and it rinsed out just fine that way.
I think I did it to be more precise in measuring - thought it sounded simple enough ...
I also think this is why mine was green! It's looking more pale now that I diluted it down w/ more water! I have it down to 1/4 ... so we'll see what happens. Not sure if I'm going to do it tonight or tomorrow night ... I only wash 1 or 2 times a week - just depends on how much oil I've added or how warm I get during the day (summers). Boy I never thought I'd see the day when I would wash less than daily!

Thank you again for the assist! Have a great day!

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Originally Posted by Linda K

I think she powdered it to make it easier to measure .... not real sure on that tho.

I do recall she stated she just used it w/o straining and it rinsed out just fine that way.
I think I did it to be more precise in measuring - thought it sounded simple enough ...
I also think this is why mine was green! It's looking more pale now that I diluted it down w/ more water! I have it down to 1/4 ... so we'll see what happens. Not sure if I'm going to do it tonight or tomorrow night ... I only wash 1 or 2 times a week - just depends on how much oil I've added or how warm I get during the day (summers). Boy I never thought I'd see the day when I would wash less than daily!

Thank you again for the assist! Have a great day!

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You are most welcome!

Some of the catnip I used early on was pale greenish yellow when steeped for 30 minutes. I made a mistake in my catnip steeping last night and did over 3 hours instead of over 4. Hagen catnip turns a deep yellow when steeped and looks gold in my white mug.

However, it stains light yellow and looks only yellow in clear glass. It is the best catnip I have ever used and is what it says on the label, superior catnip, in my opinion. It may be that the greenish catnip is a different variety. Hagen confirmed that their catnip is Nepeta cataria to me in an email, in response to my inquiry to them.

Ill be trying this tonight or tomorrow night. Yay

I tried catnip a few times. I get best effect when I pour it after washing over my hair and leave it on for about an hour. Then I rinse it out with clear cold water.

I also tried it as a finishing rinse after the wash, but I got an itchy scalp and dandruff.

I LOVE catnip! It makes my hair shiny, smooth and easy to comb. It´s fantastic! :cheese:

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Originally Posted by Wolfmaid

I tried catnip a few times. I get best effect when I pour it after washing over my hair and leave it on for about an hour. Then I rinse it out with clear cold water.

I also tried it as a finishing rinse after the wash, but I got an itchy scalp and dandruff.

I LOVE catnip! It makes my hair shiny, smooth and easy to comb. It´s fantastic! :cheese:

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Yes, it needs time to work best, from my experience.

If I have overused my shampoo and not left catnip on long enough (in the past), my scalp did get itchy and a bit flakey too, depending on the time of year, usually in winter. That was to be expected. What was unexpected is that I can now use the same amount of shampoo if I want to with no itch of flakes. Leaving catnip on longer prevents that.

Ok well Ive done this about 6 times and I love it. I have long hair and normally use a lot of condish. I use a dime size when I use catnip and its super super soft, not frizzy and much brighter and lighter. I LOOVVEEE this. And I use the cheap dollar general petmate kind. Im going this weekend to PetSmart to get a higher quality and see how much better the results get! I love catnip!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by duh_its_Sarah

Ok well Ive done this about 6 times and I love it. I have long hair and normally use a lot of condish. I use a dime size when I use catnip and its super super soft, not frizzy and much brighter and lighter. I LOOVVEEE this. And I use the cheap dollar general petmate kind. Im going this weekend to PetSmart to get a higher quality and see how much better the results get! I love catnip!!!!!!!!

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Great news! Catnip does not lighten hair though. It can add a light blonde stain to hair. That is different to lightening hair colour if that is what you meant. Lighter as in the hair not being weighed down? Yes absolutely!

brighter color. lighter feel. brighter color makes it look lighter though. especially in pics....at least on me.

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Originally Posted by duh_its_Sarah

brighter color. lighter feel. brighter color makes it look lighter though. especially in pics....at least on me.

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Absolutely! If you have been using any conditioners with any colours in them like FD&C colours to make them more appealing, and then use something without them, the hair can indeed be brighter.

I use shimmer lights about once a week. But I couldnt get over how little conditioner I needed and how clean my hair felt and it didnt get oily fast. It is amazing!!!

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Originally Posted by duh_its_Sarah

I use shimmer lights about once a week. But I couldnt get over how little conditioner I needed and how clean my hair felt and it didnt get oily fast. It is amazing!!!

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After 5 years and counting, it still amazes me. I use 0 conditioner, only catnip tea (following shampoo).

how often do you wash?
I usually have to take a late lunch and start the tea at 2pm to have it ready by 6:30pmish.

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Originally Posted by duh_its_Sarah

how often do you wash?
I usually have to take a late lunch and start the tea at 2pm to have it ready by 6:30pmish.

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Every 5 days to once a week. I have stretched it out longer, although I prefer not to do that.

I tried a catnip rinse on the weekend- where has this stuff been all my life?!? It left my hair soft, full and shiny, and it brought out the blonde streaks in a really attractive way. Even my partner noticed and commented that my hair looked good.
I didn't have time to let the rinse sit, and my hair was a bit staticky the next day (then again, humidity was down to 35% so perhaps that's not surprising). But I do want to experiment with leaving it on for longer.

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Originally Posted by Chiara

I tried a catnip rinse on the weekend- where has this stuff been all my life?!? It left my hair soft, full and shiny, and it brought out the blonde streaks in a really attractive way. Even my partner noticed and commented that my hair looked good.
I didn't have time to let the rinse sit, and my hair was a bit staticky the next day (then again, humidity was down to 35% so perhaps that's not surprising). But I do want to experiment with leaving it on for longer.

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Leaving on longer and covered in plastic helps conditioning, staining and reducing static, in my experience, as well as steeping it longer, approximately 4.75 hours, covered.

I want to buy Catnip from herbco.com.
There are two different versions, this and this.
Which one would you recommend?
Thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by Finchen

I want to buy Catnip from herbco.com.
There are two different versions, this and this.
Which one would you recommend?
Thanks in advance.

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They look the same to me. They look fine. The proof is how well they work or not. I prefer pet store catnip. Hagen brand, http://www.bigappleherp.com/Hagen-Ca...-Catnip-Garden

I do find it to be superior to any other catnip I have tried and in over 5 years that is a lot.

Thanks ktani. Unfortunately catnip is not available here in pet stores, so I have to order it online (like all other things...:rolleyes:).

I think I am going to order the organic catnip, even if the price is more expensive, but maybe the quality is better. :)

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Originally Posted by Finchen

Thanks ktani. Unfortunately catnip is not available here in pet stores, so I have to order it online (like all other things...:rolleyes:).

I think I am going to order the organic catnip, even if the price is more expensive, but maybe the quality is better. :)

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Do what you think is best. Good luck!

So I'm currently having a treatment on my head and patiently (not really :P) waiting for an hour to pass :)

I have a question though, which I am sure of has been answered before (._.) How often can one do this?

Thank you for this awesome thread, by the way!

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Originally Posted by Totte

So I'm currently having a treatment on my head and patiently (not really :P) waiting for an hour to pass :)

I have a question though, which I am sure of has been answered before (._.) How often can one do this?

Thank you for this awesome thread, by the way!

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I do it every time I shampoo because it is my only conditionig and hair colour. It can be done as often as one wants.

I do shampoo though.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I do it every time I shampoo because it is my only conditionig and hair colour. It can be done as often as one wants.

I do shampoo though.

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That is good because I just love my hair! So soft and shiny. I can't believe I used no conditioner. This is the best conditioner ever. :D:D

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Originally Posted by Shellby

That is good because I just love my hair! So soft and shiny. I can't believe I used no conditioner. This is the best conditioner ever. :D:D

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Yes, it can be amazing.

I posted this in another thread. It belongs here too although this is repeated information, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...41&postcount=8.