Re: Catnip for split ends?
Sure thing, I'll definitely let you guys know how it all works out for me. I'm definitely going to keep using catnip for the conditioning & curl defining properties. Matter of fact, I've got a bunch on my head right now. :D
Ktani, it's interesting to hear that information about the various shampoos/conditioners stripping color, thank you. I actually stopped using any chemicals on my hair several months ago. I used herbal rinses exclusively for a while (left a buildup on my hair, didn't clean well enough) then added yucca root as a "shampoo" (worked wonders for a month, then stopped working so well). Now I'm trying aritha powder & catnip exclusively - so for anyone interested in the coloring, if I achieve any, please remember that I'm not using any chemicals or heat on my hair. Ever.
Also, I shouldn't have said that no color sticks to my hair, that wasn't strictly accurate. I should have said that herbal rinses intended to temporarily color grey hair haven't worked for me. :) Never tried henna or chemical dyes.
For now, as I have a bit of time where I can work from home, I'm doing a lot of long catnip treatments. Once I'm back to school (masters program) and work, I'll probably only be able to do one long treatment a week.
Oh, also, Ktani was right and catnip is doing very nice things for my skin as well. My face is less dry, which is a lovely side effect.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Hekuro
Sure thing, I'll definitely let you guys know how it all works out for me. I'm definitely going to keep using catnip for the conditioning & curl defining properties. Matter of fact, I've got a bunch on my head right now. :D
Ktani, it's interesting to hear that information about the various shampoos/conditioners stripping color, thank you. I actually stopped using any chemicals on my hair several months ago. I used herbal rinses exclusively for a while (left a buildup on my hair, didn't clean well enough) then added yucca root as a "shampoo" (worked wonders for a month, then stopped working so well). Now I'm trying aritha powder & catnip exclusively - so for anyone interested in the coloring, if I achieve any, please remember that I'm not using any chemicals or heat on my hair. Ever.
Also, I shouldn't have said that no color sticks to my hair, that wasn't strictly accurate. I should have said that herbal rinses intended to temporarily color grey hair haven't worked for me. :) Never tried henna or chemical dyes.
For now, as I have a bit of time where I can work from home, I'm doing a lot of long catnip treatments. Once I'm back to school (masters program) and work, I'll probably only be able to do one long treatment a week.
Oh, also, Ktani was right and catnip is doing very nice things for my skin as well. My face is less dry, which is a lovely side effect.
Catnip is wonderful on skin but like on the hair, you need to find the right dilution. For me, the dilution I use on my hair, works perfectly on my skin.
I have a theory about aritha or soap nuts.
Aritha contains mucilage. That could over time build-up and prevent hebal stain. Aritha has been reported to darken light coloured hair.
From my experience with linden tea, which contains a fair amount of mucilage, it did build-up and stained my bathtub and shower curtain but it did not cover my grey/white hair well. Linden tea also contains saponins. I tried it as a shampoo but it did not work well for that.
I used 2 species of yucca as well, as a shampoo. My hair got clean but felt slimey and was stringy.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
How I prepare catnip.
I start by letting any left over catnip refridgerated in my shampoo bottle, warm up to room temperature.
I use it up on my skin or pour it out.
I add tepid water to the bottle (plastic stresses with extreme temperature changes), add liquid soap, shake it up and let it stand for a while. Then I rinse it out.
After boiling water, I use it to rinse out the washed out bone china mug I use, the saucer I use to cover it, the stainless steel tea strainer, and my 2 cup pyrex measuring cup, to sterilize them.
Then I measure out the catnip, add the measured out boiled water, cover the catnip and let it cool.
I also rinse out the creamer I transfer the catnip to, before pouring it into the shampoo bottle when cooled, with warm water.
Even though I wash everything afterward, I like to sterilize the main equipment each time.
I think that it helps keep the catnip last longer each time.
As I have said, I have never had catnip go bad and my last batch lasted more than 1 week, refridgerated.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
you all are such amazing folks! Thank you for your experiments and reports... makes things much easier for us Johnny Come Latelys!
Will try this soon, as long as my fuzzbaby's ok with me taking some of his stash.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Re: Catnip for split ends?
While skin absortion is a real issue IMO, with anything applied to the scalp, I have never had a problem with catnip use.
I do however use a very diluted mix. Even though I soak in it, and use it on my skin, rinsed out, it has never caused me to have any side effects that I am aware of, in over 3 years.
That said, one can be allergic to anything. So, patch test any substance that has not previously been used on skin or scalp.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Can catnip help with velcro ends?
I did my first catnip treatment today.:D
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Heidi_234
Can catnip help with velcro ends?
I did my first catnip treatment today.:D
It can but it depends on what is causing them. I had velco ends with catnip a while back. I had not used the right dilution and had overwashed my hair. The next shampoo, my ends were fine once more.
If you have build-up, you may need to clarify first. I never clarify and when I first started using catnip it still helped but not as much as when the build-up finally washed out.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ktani
It can but it depends on what is causing them. I had velco ends with catnip a while back. I had not used the right dilution and had overwashed my hair. The next shampoo, my ends were fine once more.
If you have build-up, you may need to clarify first. I never clarify and when I first started using catnip it still helped but not as much as when the build-up finally washed out.
I always thought velco ends are caused by damage. I only have them if I don't trim my ends for "too long", like now.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Heidi_234
I always thought velco ends are caused by damage. I only have them if I don't trim my ends for "too long", like now.
They can be an indication of breakage but that for me is when I get impatient on how I separate them, mechanical damage.
I did an s & d afterward and found a few more white dots than usual but for me, velcro ends were a raised cuticle that had not been smoothed enough by the correct catnip solution. The raised cuticle was partly to do with my hair type being wavy, humidity, and the fact that I used too much shampoo, which left them a bit drier than normal.
