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I have been using a little bit of honey in my catnip tea. I tried doing a search, but most previous posts seemed to be about coloring, while I use both only for conditioning.
So far (it's been a couple of weeks) the split protection from the catnip seems to work the same with the honey. I'm not using a lot of honey, maybe 2-3 tablespoons to a pint of tea (I make a teapot full.)
Is your hair more moisturized with the honey, than without it? (In terms of softness, shininess, general texture?)Quote:
Originally Posted by haibane
It's definitely been softer, and the ends less velcro-y, though reading the over moisture thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...ad.php?t=51882) I think using the honey tea after every wash might have been a bit much. My hair has seemed almost too soft. I didn't think such a thing was possible. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by HintOfMint
You are using enough honey to possibly lighten your hair. I do not recommend honey with catnip.
For conditioning
1. You can microwave the honey separately to destroy the enzyme that generates peroxide (30 seconds to under 1 minute).
2. For lightening, replace the catnip tea with distilled water. Catnip contains a fair amount of iron. That can impede lightening by reacting with hydrogen peroxide. However, in doing so damaging free radicals are produced. While honey naturally contains chelators than can bind iron found in hair from tap water and conventional hair products, adding more iron through catnip tea is not going to help and can can lessen honey's ability to do so. That said, there have been 0 reports of honey lightened hair being damaged.
Thanks for the heads up on the lightening ktani. I don't really mind if it does lighten my hair. I like it a bit lighter, but I don't care enough to really attempt to lighten it right now. Too busy trying to figure out how to condition. :p
I suspect that since I've put the honey in with the scalding hot water and then let it steep with the catnip, any peroxide enzymes are long gone by the time it reaches my hair.
You are most welcome!Quote:
Originally Posted by haibane
Unlikely that you have completely destroyed the enzyme. It does not work that way, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...postcount=1763, although the heat will negatively affect the peroxide level. Microwaving honey 30 seconds to 1 minute has been reported to work.
Update
Rather than repost all of the text, I am just linking it from a post in another thread. I think I am right and it was the buds. My hair and scalp were both affected and I suffered no ill effects.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&postcount=192
I just did my first catnip rinse...
I did a heavy oil this morning left it for about 4 hours then drenched my hair in cheap condish, after letting that sit for 1 hour I rinsed this out in the shower then poured through 3 cups of catnip tea ( I made this by steeping 1 tablespoon of dried catnip in boiling water for 4 hours till it was cold)
I didnt rinse it out with fresh water, was I supposed to is it ok to leave it in?
Do you think it will work because I did it straight after a deep oil and conditioner treatment?
My hair isnt dry yet, so I dont know if it worked it fells abit knotty though :confused:
From my experience catnip does not do as well over coatings, oil or conditioner. It works best for me over clean, uncoated hair.Quote:
Originally Posted by kitten1986
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.