Catnip for split ends?

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Originally Posted by HotRag

If growing catnip in your garden, won't the neighbour cats come and destroy it? :)

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The pet store I go to sells little potted catnip plants that you could keep on a windowsill or something. Maybe in a little cage if you have cats.

I've been using catnip rinses to extend my shampoos, and I just realized the other day that my dozen-or-so wiry, gray hairs are not as noticeable anymore. Possibly they've darkened slightly, or else the catnip has conditioned them so they don't stick out so much. My hair is very dark brown, almost black, and my silvers are actually pure white, so even the few I have would show up pretty readily before, especially in certain updos.

I brew it stronger than ktani, ~1 Tbsp. to 10 oz. of water, and sometimes (when I remember to make it the night before) steep it overnight in the fridge, covered. I find it gets my hair cleaner than a WO wash on days when I run, and it has a light, earthy scent that reminds me of henna a little.

Yeah Henna Chai went well. It was a lot of fun but we ended up running out time, trying to do too many things. We're going to have a weekend long event next year, but I need to find house to rent for the whole weekend. That's my plan.

I mostly posted everything up on facebook, and I have to update the actual website with the photos. I have to make better time for that!!

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Originally Posted by HotRag

If growing catnip in your garden, won't the neighbour cats come and destroy it? :)

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In my experience, and in that of those I know who grow catnip as well, this does not usually happen. Generally speaking, as I understand it, cats are mainly attracted to the oils that are released when the leaves or flowers are broken. So if you keep the plant relatively undamaged, it should be fine. If you're afraid of cats still being attracted to it, you could get some close-threaded fencing, like you would buy for tomatoes and such. If you make sure to harvest the plant later in the morning after the dew has gone away and before it gets warm, that should help, just make sure the day isn't very humid, and it is somewhat sunny, so it stays dry.

I fell asleep while brewing my catnip tea last time, lol and it brewed for 8 hours, left out at room temperature. No harm done. My hair is actually shinier this time and the colour deeper (even better grey/white coverage.) I never thought about putting it the fridge to continue brewing after cool down (I do not want to put it into the fridge while the mug is very hot) but that is an idea. I always refridgerate my catnip infusion between uses (I use leftovers on my skin).

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Originally Posted by ktani

I fell asleep while brewing my catnip tea last time, lol and it brewed for 8 hours, left out at room temperature. No harm done. My hair is actually shinier this time and the colour deeper (even better grey/white coverage.) I never thought about putting it the fridge to continue brewing after cool down (I do not want to put it into the fridge while the mug is very hot) but that is an idea. I always refridgerate my catnip infusion between uses (I use leftovers on my skin).

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I always try to leave it brewing as long as I can, few hours at least.

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Originally Posted by Heidi_234

I always try to leave it brewing as long as I can, few hours at least.

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It can be brewed for much shorter times too. I used to brew it for only 30 minutes and had no split ends. I started brewing it longer primarily to deepen the colour for staining my hair.

I now just prefer to let it cool down without the extra time spent timing and straining it and then letting it finish cooling. So there is flexibility in how the brewing can be done to achieve conditioning results.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I fell asleep while brewing my catnip tea last time, lol and it brewed for 8 hours, left out at room temperature. No harm done. My hair is actually shinier this time and the colour deeper (even better grey/white coverage.) I never thought about putting it the fridge to continue brewing after cool down (I do not want to put it into the fridge while the mug is very hot) but that is an idea. I always refridgerate my catnip infusion between uses (I use leftovers on my skin).

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Yeah, I catnip-rinsed the day I left for my conference and I had forgotten to make the tea ahead of time, so I stuck the hot, covered mug in the fridge, and accidentally wilted part of the salad my husband had bought for his dinner that night. Ooops:oops:

Generally, I leave it out for a half hour, and then put it in the fridge. I leave it in there for a half hour or overnight. I TRY to remember to remove it from the fridge in the morning for a bit to come to room temperature, but I frequently forget. Cold catnip rinse in the shower is not fun.

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Originally Posted by Madame J

Yeah, I catnip-rinsed the day I left for my conference and I had forgotten to make the tea ahead of time, so I stuck the hot, covered mug in the fridge, and accidentally wilted part of the salad my husband had bought for his dinner that night. Ooops:oops:

Generally, I leave it out for a half hour, and then put it in the fridge. I leave it in there for a half hour or overnight. I TRY to remember to remove it from the fridge in the morning for a bit to come to room temperature, but I frequently forget. Cold catnip rinse in the shower is not fun.

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Preparing catnip and the timing can be a challenge, lol but it is well worth it IMO. It just takes planning, lol.

I usually make mine when I get in from work at 6 o'clock, and leave it brew and cool until 8 or 9 o'clock. It gets quite dark, but not as dark as my hair!

You know what I find weirdest about using catnip? Anyone normal (as in not from here) would think I was balmy but all that bothers me is the fack the only bit or fabric I could find to strain through is an old pair of knickers! After straining the catnip I leave them, still with catnip crumbs, on the radiator to dry!

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Originally Posted by enfys

I usually make mine when I get in from work at 6 o'clock, and leave it brew and cool until 8 or 9 o'clock. It gets quite dark, but not as dark as my hair!

You know what I find weirdest about using catnip? Anyone normal (as in not from here) would think I was balmy but all that bothers me is the fack the only bit or fabric I could find to strain through is an old pair of knickers! After straining the catnip I leave them, still with catnip crumbs, on the radiator to dry!

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Lol, whatever works for you. I bought a stainless steel tea strainer.

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Originally Posted by ktani

Lol, whatever works for you. I bought a stainless steel tea strainer.

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Me too but it rusted :(

I had to break down and buy a steel strainer!! Using whatever washcloth or kitchen towel available was not working too well. I also forgot to leave my tea out this morning to warm up to room temp and WHOA it was cold. My scalp it still tingly from how cold it was. I think it was a bit too cold for my scalp. I will keep trying this, but my hair also feels very dry even after the rinse. Trying one thing per week as suggested in the article section is frustrating me. I wish I could just instantly know what to do!! In the plight for long hair, I must carry on my trials and tribulations!! I just wish I didn't have to :cool:.

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Originally Posted by enfys

You know what I find weirdest about using catnip? Anyone normal (as in not from here) would think I was balmy but all that bothers me is the fack the only bit or fabric I could find to strain through is an old pair of knickers! After straining the catnip I leave them, still with catnip crumbs, on the radiator to dry!

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:D (more characters)

There's so much information on this thread!

I went to the pet store last night and bought two catnip plant starters. They're in the window now, under some glass and will hopefully start to sprout within the next couple of days! :D

Until the plants get big enough to start picking, I may make a stop at the health food store to see if they have some dried catnip. The pet store didn't.

Can't wait to try this out!

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Originally Posted by enfys

Me too but it rusted :(

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Stainless steel can rust. I have had stainless cutlery rust. The trick is never to let the strainer remain wet for too long. I shake mine out after washing it and that seems to do 2 things. 1. I get no calcium or lime deposit from my hard water on the strainer and 2. no rust.

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Originally Posted by Tracionera

There's so much information on this thread!

I went to the pet store last night and bought two catnip plant starters. They're in the window now, under some glass and will hopefully start to sprout within the next couple of days! :D

Until the plants get big enough to start picking, I may make a stop at the health food store to see if they have some dried catnip. The pet store didn't.

Can't wait to try this out!

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Welcome to LHC!

Here is the Catnip Article, the condensed version, lol.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...&articleid=118

I have not used fresh catnip. If I had access to it I would dry it for later use.

Thanks for the welcome ktani!

I'm pretty sure I ran into the full Catnip Article while reading some of the posts. I just can't seem to find it now.

I went to the local farmer's market on Saturday and found a small catnip plant that will be ready for use much sooner than my catnip starters. Soon, I'll have three catnip plants! Until then, I've purchased a bit of dried catnip leaves and buds from the health food store to try this out.

Were you talking about drying fresh catnip from a plant or from a store?

I think that I'll prick off the leaves and buds from my plants as I need them. This would probably help to maintain the plant as well.

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Originally Posted by Tracionera

Thanks for the welcome ktani!

I'm pretty sure I ran into the full Catnip Article while reading some of the posts. I just can't seem to find it now.

I went to the local farmer's market on Saturday and found a small catnip plant that will be ready for use much sooner than my catnip starters. Soon, I'll have three catnip plants! Until then, I've purchased a bit of dried catnip leaves and buds from the health food store to try this out.

Were you talking about drying fresh catnip from a plant or from a store?

I think that I'll prick off the leaves and buds from my plants as I need them. This would probably help to maintain the plant as well.

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You are most welcome!

I have not seen fresh catnip in any store. When you are buying a catnip plant, make sure that it is Nepeta Cataria or common catnip. The other varieties are more ornamental and are sometimes used medicinally from what I have read. Cats may respond to any and all of them but I find what I buy from the pet store (dried, as I said) to be the best quality catnip I have used so far, for my hair and skin.

I know this must have been asked before but can catnip be used over henna?

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Originally Posted by wahmof9

I know this must have been asked before but can catnip be used over henna?

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Catnip can be used over anything. However, as I have said, catnip does not do well over coatings. So, if henna is "fresh" there would be henna resin and the catnip would not be able to be absorbed that well into the hair IMO, compared to in between times (henna applications) when the resin would have mostly have been washed out.

Thanks ktani...what would we doing without you?...Shudder thinking about it. You are awesome!:):):):):cheese:

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Originally Posted by wahmof9

Thanks ktani...what would we doing without you?...Shudder thinking about it. You are awesome!:):):):):cheese:

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Thank you so much and you are most welcome!

The logic I am applying to a catnip treatment, applies to getting the most out of any treatment and I have proved it to myself over and over again, whether it is with catnip or prior to my using it, conventional conditioning treatments.

The key is accessing the hair itself.

I have read enough threads here to realize that whether it is henna being applied, or oiling, or honey lightening, or a coconut oil pretreatment before conventional hair colouring or lightening, if the hair has buid-up or a coating of any sort on it, results are not going to be as good as they potentionally can be, if the hair is clean and uncoated.

I decided to try some catnip the other day (my hair hasn't been very agreeable lately) so I raided the cat's stash, made some tea, and used it that night. Once my hair was dry, I realized I had no tangles, and my hair was the softest it's been in a very long time. I think I'm in love! Yesterday, when I washed my hair, I hadn't made any catnip tea, and now its as tangly and unagreeable as ever. I'm going to have to get some more catnip and quick!

As always, thanks so much Ktani!!

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Originally Posted by DolphinPrincess

I decided to try some catnip the other day (my hair hasn't been very agreeable lately) so I raided the cat's stash, made some tea, and used it that night. Once my hair was dry, I realized I had no tangles, and my hair was the softest it's been in a very long time. I think I'm in love! Yesterday, when I washed my hair, I hadn't made any catnip tea, and now its as tangly and unagreeable as ever. I'm going to have to get some more catnip and quick!

As always, thanks so much Ktani!!

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You are most welcome! Catnip is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Just a reminder.

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Originally Posted by ktani

You are most welcome! Catnip is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Just a reminder.

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:) Yes, thank you. Due to supply issues, I am no longer brestfeeding.

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Originally Posted by DolphinPrincess

:) Yes, thank you. Due to supply issues, I am no longer brestfeeding.

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You are most welcome. The breastfeeding warning is just to consult with your doctor. The pregnancy warning is the one to watch out for really.

I just added this to the catnip article.

"Update: I have brewd catnip twice now for 8 hours at room temperature.

Observations: It still yields a light yellow colour, no brown or red but it looks darker in my white bone china mug and covers my grey/whtie hair better than brewing the catnip for less time.

The conditioning effects are even better, so it is official for me. 8 hours is my new brewing time. I have not altered or increased my treatment time of 1 hour or my method of application."

I just want to be sure I understand because I really do need the conditioning effect. You heat the water and then let it steep for 8 hours (just let it sit room temp), or do you make it like sun tea where you never actually heat up the water on the stovetop (or microwave etc)?

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Originally Posted by Cassi

I just want to be sure I understand because I really do need the conditioning effect. You heat the water and then let it steep for 8 hours (just let it sit room temp), or do you make it like sun tea where you never actually heat up the water on the stovetop (or microwave etc)?

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I add boiled water to the catnip the same way I did before. The only difference is the time I let it brew. I have brewed catnip for 30 minutes, 1.5 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours and now 8 hours. I now prefer 8 hours (equivalent to overnight).

ktani - I have a question. Do you think I can somehow extract the catnip's properties some way other than boiling infusion? As you might seen, my swim cap probably will never keep the chlorine out of my hair, so I'm going back to soaking hair with catnip under the swim cap. But I would have liked to have the club soda soaked in my hair too while swimming. I need a way to combine the two, so I'll get the conditioning of the first and the chlorine canceling of the second. Do you think saturating catnip in club soda for a month straight might do the trick?

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Originally Posted by Heidi_234

ktani - I have a question. Do you think I can somehow extract the catnip's properties some way other than boiling infusion? As you might seen, my swim cap probably will never keep the chlorine out of my hair, so I'm going back to soaking hair with catnip under the swim cap. But I would have liked to have the club soda soaked in my hair too while swimming. I need a way to combine the two, so I'll get the conditioning of the first and the chlorine canceling of the second. Do you think saturating catnip in club soda for a month straight might do the trick?

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I understand your logic but I do not think it will work. The club soda will work against the catnip and the mix would not last a month in any case without going off. Anything with water in it, will eventually get bacteria in it unless properly preserved.

Club soda can remove build-up. It is not going to allow the conditioning properties of catnip to be able to do what you need them to do in a mix, IMO. You can try it but do not use a month as your timing. Catnip tea can keep, refriderated, up to a week or a bit longer.

Club soda unopened can keep for about 9 months but opened I would use it up within a week to 10 days, the same as any opened bottle of water, if you keep it refridgerated during that time.

What is club soda used for?

And why will it work against catnip?

(I don't know what it is, but it sounds like some kind of drink thing, and the soda hints it can be alcaline.)

If one want to use them at the same time, couldn't it be an idea to make catnip tea with the half amount of water, and then dilute with club soda?

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Originally Posted by HotRag

What is club soda used for?

And why will it work against catnip?

(I don't know what it is, but it sounds like some kind of drink thing, and the soda hints it can be alcaline.)

If one want to use them at the same time, couldn't it be an idea to make catnip tea with the half amount of water, and then dilute with club soda?

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Here is the Article about swimming and club soda I wrote. There are links inside it to explain about club soda and here is one more. Most soda waters are more acidic than club soda (the term soda water has come to mean any carbonated drink, most of which contain sugar and additives like citric acid). If it is true club soda, it contains some baking soda which raises its pH but not enough to make it alkaline.

In theory, anything added to something you want to ahere better to hair (both the carbonation and the baking soda in club soda help loosen and remove coatings) is not going to help that something condition hair, IMO.

When I added vinegar (which can also help to remove some kinds of coatings) to catnip, the results were not as good as when I use water alone. Also see this post.

However, it is not my experiment. The only way to know for sure, is to try it.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I understand your logic but I do not think it will work. The club soda will work against the catnip and the mix would not last a month in any case without going off. Anything with water in it, will eventually get bacteria in it unless properly preserved.

Club soda can remove build-up. It is not going to allow the conditioning properties of catnip to be able to do what you need them to do in a mix, IMO. You can try it but do not use a month as your timing. Catnip tea can keep, refriderated, up to a week or a bit longer.

Club soda unopened can keep for about 9 months but opened I would use it up within a week to 10 days, the same as any opened bottle of water, if you keep it refridgerated during that time.

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Yeah, I haven't thought about the time factor. In my mind, catnip and club soda don't really interfere with each other, so maybe I'll soak my hair in club soda, and then saturate it in catnip. :shrug: My priority is to preventing chlorine damage, and only then benefiting from the catnip's conditioning properties.

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Originally Posted by Heidi_234

Yeah, I haven't thought about the time factor. In my mind, catnip and club soda don't really interfere with each other, so maybe I'll soak my hair in club soda, and then saturate it in catnip. :shrug: My priority is to preventing chlorine damage, and only then benefiting from the catnip's conditioning properties.

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It really depends as well as to what you expect from catnip. I want the maximum conditioning and colour. That is what I aim for when I use it. Others may be ok with less timing or a different method of application and like the results they have.

Hello Ktani,
I´m new to this board, so forgive me, if I ask any question that has already been asked.

Catnip sounds just wonderful, so I definitely want to give it a try.
I read up to page 30 of this thread and also your article on catnip, but I still didn´t really find what I was looking for. :confused:
I understand the whole method, but my problem is that my hair is naturally medium blonde, but I dyed it a light golden blonde . So I am really worried, that the yellow catnip stain will make my hair look really yellow, since its already got a golden tint. Nevertheless, I really think catnip is great and I would like to use it with maximum conditioning and minimum coloring effects.
Do you think it would be better to use more flowers and less leaves (or only flowers?), since the leaves contain the color? I have catnip in my garden, that would be doable.
I will not let it steep for to long, only until the tea is at room temperature. Also, I think I will try leaving it on the hair for 1 hour, but if it gets too yellow, I´ll try less time.
I thought that I would use it once a week as a treatment, like you do it after washing. But since I only wash twice a week, any coloring effects wouldn´t really wash out.
Has anyone else with blonde dyed hair reported a method with minimum coloring effects?

And I also have to compliment you on the work you´re doing here. Your catnip research is great (I´m definitely also going to try it on my skin) and I also read your article on coconut/argan oil to prevent peroxide damage. :cheer: I´m also going to try that next time I color.

Thank you so much for any suggestions!

coccinelle

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Originally Posted by coccinelle84

Hello Ktani,
I´m new to this board, so forgive me, if I ask any question that has already been asked.

Catnip sounds just wonderful, so I definitely want to give it a try.
I read up to page 30 of this thread and also your article on catnip, but I still didn´t really find what I was looking for. :confused:
I understand the whole method, but my problem is that my hair is naturally medium blonde, but I dyed it a light golden blonde . So I am really worried, that the yellow catnip stain will make my hair look really yellow, since its already got a golden tint. Nevertheless, I really think catnip is great and I would like to use it with maximum conditioning and minimum coloring effects.
Do you think it would be better to use more flowers and less leaves (or only flowers?), since the leaves contain the color? I have catnip in my garden, that would be doable.
I will not let it steep for to long, only until the tea is at room temperature. Also, I think I will try leaving it on the hair for 1 hour, but if it gets too yellow, I´ll try less time.
I thought that I would use it once a week as a treatment, like you do it after washing. But since I only wash twice a week, any coloring effects wouldn´t really wash out.
Has anyone else with blonde dyed hair reported a method with minimum coloring effects?

And I also have to compliment you on the work you´re doing here. Your catnip research is great (I´m definitely also going to try it on my skin) and I also read your article on coconut/argan oil to prevent peroxide damage. :cheer: I´m also going to try that next time I color.

Thank you so much for any suggestions!

coccinelle

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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.

Hey ktani, I have very interesting observation, and I'm looking forward to see your input on it.
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?

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!