Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ktani
Yes, catnip does respond to slight changes. That is exactly what I found. There is nothing wrong with leaving it on overnight. It is just that it is not neccessary if it is left on for an hour all at once. By using it for less time and then sleeping with it on, you are making up the time difference.
Ktani you introduced catnip to me and helped me with my dilutions in the beggining:D In fact I was trying to follow your bagging for one hour but I got too tired lol.
I tend to wash when I need to and don't plan ahead so well, that's why I just use it as a rinse normally. I do however use it in between washes when my ends feel dry I will dip my braid tassel in it throught the week if I am stretching my washes. The rinses do work but you are right even if I can leave it in 5 min. I have better results.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Suldrun
Ktani you introduced catnip to me and helped me with my dilutions in the beggining:D In fact I was trying to follow your bagging for one hour but I got too tired lol.
I tend to wash when I need to and don't plan ahead so well, that's why I just use it as a rinse normally. I do however use it in between washes when my ends feel dry I will dip my braid tassel in it throught the week if I am stretching my washes. The rinses do work but you are right even if I can leave it in 5 min. I have better results.
I am just sharing what works for me. In the beginning, I tried leaving it on for various times and got good results. However, the bagging and 1 hour gives me great results. It is a difference in optimal results. My ends are no longer dry and need no help between washing. I think it is a question of how well catnip is absorbed into hair. I have not found any research on that but my hair "tells me" what it needs.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ktani
It may well be but I have found pet store catnip to be better than any bulk catnip I tried. It is fresher and more potent. It also (it would depend on the brand) contains more buds.
I agree completely and I have a cat. I've had terrible luck with my pet stores and good luck with Fred Meyer and Dragon Herbarium. You can see the buds and smell the freshness.
I just wanted to point out that all locations are different especially when we are as far apart geographically as you and I are.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
I, too, grow lots and lots of catnip in the garden each year for my kitties. It grows like mad and very often, the leaves will be as big as my hands! The past two years, I had so much that much of it was wasted but now I know just what to do with the extra that my kitties can't use up.
For the past two nights, I've steeped some dried catnip from last year's harvest, some dried lavender from my aunt and some pulverized fresh rosemary in some water and using that as a hair rinse in the shower. So far, I'm very pleased with it. These particular plants are helping me heal these two spots of eczema on my scalp. I've been finding it much more soothing than the stuff my doctor prescribed to me (Clobetasol solution).
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SleepySin
I, too, grow lots and lots of catnip in the garden each year for my kitties. It grows like mad and very often, the leaves will be as big as my hands! The past two years, I had so much that much of it was wasted but now I know just what to do with the extra that my kitties can't use up.
For the past two nights, I've steeped some dried catnip from last year's harvest, some dried lavender from my aunt and some pulverized fresh rosemary in some water and using that as a hair rinse in the shower. So far, I'm very pleased with it. These particular plants are helping me heal these two spots of eczema on my scalp. I've been finding it much more soothing than the stuff my doctor prescribed to me (Clobetasol solution).
I'm so glad that is working for you, and I bet the lavender helps with getting to sleep, too. I hear that there's nothing better for healing than a good night's sleep. ;)
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Thanks :)
Yes, I love the scent of lavender when I'm going to sleep - It's just so relaxing.
Speaking of a good night's sleep, I better boot myself off of here and get to bed. Goodnight everyone!
Re: Catnip for split ends?
ktani, about your post about S&D:
You wrote about one split and some knotted hairs, but more damage.
What is damage defined as?
White dots? Splits? Other?
I think I don't get the hang of the word damage to hair.
For me, damage include splits, and only damage I ever have found, it splits and white dots (and very rarely knots).
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
HotRag
ktani, about your post about S&D:
You wrote about one split and some knotted hairs, but more damage.
What is damage defined as?
White dots? Splits? Other?
I think I don't get the hang of the word damage to hair.
For me, damage include splits, and only damage I ever have found, it splits and white dots (and very rarely knots).
It was 2 splits, 3 knotted hairs and about the same amount of white dots, very little.
What it indicats to me is that the extra bit of drag with the catnip washing (I was using less shampoo) and even using less catnip than I used to use for conditioning was not doing the job I needed it to do.
What I define as damage are white dots (breakage through hair stress), split ends and the hair knots are from the hair not having as much slip, to release tangling. I rarely if ever got a hair knot with my old routine.
I think the problem with washing hair in general with herbs/plants, is that you get the goodness of the cleansing but you also get the extras from the whole plant, that one may not want on the hair in quantity, without it being removed every so often.
What I particularly like about catnip as a colour/conditioner, is that although not all of the colour is removed with each shmpoo, enough of the extras like the oils and possibly the protein are removed, to allow more catnip to be applied and I still had maximum slip and conditioning (I used more catnip than I used recently but I was also removing more of it each time I washed). I have never had build-up with it and I also had no split ends or knots.
The breakage for me comes from how I handle my hair wet and dry (mechanical damage). I changed the way I do that (less finger combing and more gentle hair separating, and that has remained constant. But removing enough catnip, before reapplying it more seems for me, to be the best option.
I have said before that catnip contains some protein and I will elaborate on that. It also has moisturizing properties that I think, are best brought out through bagging it and letting them get absorbed as much as possible, into the hair (the 1 hour timing). The result for me has been and is the perfect balance. My ends, which used to be dry and crunchy are now silky and not dry at all. But by not removing enough catnip each time (although my ends have still not become dry) my hair is not in optimal condition, compared to what it was. It may be that the other properties the protein being one, were not allowing the moisturizing properties to be absorbed as well.
I define build-up as something on the hair that regular shampoing does not remove enough of each time, to make a difference (without extra shampoo or a clarifyer being need). Enough catnip has been removed with the amount of shampoo I used to use, to never have been a problem.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ljkforu
I agree completely and I have a cat. I've had terrible luck with my pet stores and good luck with Fred Meyer and Dragon Herbarium. You can see the buds and smell the freshness.
I just wanted to point out that all locations are different especially when we are as far apart geographically as you and I are.
Then you have have it lucky with the stores selling bulk catnip. Not only was the catnip I used (bulk) not always as fresh (as pet store catnip) not always did it have the same amount of buds. It was the inconsistency that drove me mad. I want to be able to count on the quality always being there. The pet store catnip quality can vary somewhat too. Catnip, being natural, will have some variance between batches. However, pet store catnip is sealed in containers, not opened to the air, light and handling, bulk catnip is and the consistency of quality, from my experience, is more reliable.
Re: Catnip for split ends?
Thank you ktani. I was a bit confused over what damage meant in general.
I also have minimized my damage, but I haven't been into "babying hair" for as long that I can notice differences in damage due to routine.
I think that oil is what my hair loves the most.
It seems my hair is VERY sensitive to astringent and acidic stuff. Especially if they will sit a while (like amla or hibiscus in IHW, letting catnip tea be for an hour, or not rinse out vinegar).
I used my left over catnip today (made face "water" yesterday), as I would use a vinegar rinse. Just poored it over, let sit for 2 minutes and rinsed with cold water.
Feels rather nice.
Maybe that's the way that suits me with catnip, use it as the final rinse before cold water :)
I will try more times to find out.
I have made some sort of clarifying with egg today, so not many herbs grains or mucilage in the hair.
