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Catnip does not do well over conditioners, from my experience. And it is acidic. I am not sure why you are using it with citric acid. It should be enough on its own.Quote:
Originally Posted by LaCitoyenne
It depends on how much conditioner you are using and how well it washes out.
Catnip never removed or was able to get through conditioner for me.
Conditioners coat the hair. That is what they are designed to do, some more so than others.
Not to say that I'm right but when I use catnip (happily), I have bar shampoo's, then catnip rinsed with a pause for soak in, then a light rinse, then a heavy conditioner, then a follow up seal it all in with Vitamin C rinse.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
Very happy with results. Did notice a positive difference. I really like the acid rinse to seal in the conditioner and close the cuticle of the proteins and polymers (I'm naughty) but it works for me.
I went for a week with out an acid rinse and my hair felt very crunchy instead of sleek (I was traveling). Next time I travel with a weak acid, I don't care what it is.
This thread is huge! It's actually a little hard to navigate through for complete directions.
It would be fantastic if someone who is knowledgeable on catnip rinses to write an article:D It is becoming a more in-demand treatment and I think many would appreciate it!
It is not about right or wrong. It is about what works or does not for someone and to what degree.Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
With shampoo bars being alkaline, a stronger acid rinse is better for a couple of reasons.
A vinegar or citric acid rinse can remove the soap scum or residue, close the cuticle and balance the pH and usually is more acidic and astingent without oil in it, compared to catnip. Catnip can then be used to follow the acidic rinse.
Catnip can still work over conditioner, but the best effects, from my experience, are when catnip is used without it because the catnip has direct access to the hair, not being over a coating.
I will do that. Great idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by lenac
Wonderful, thank you!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by ktani
Done and submitted, under Natural Treatments.Quote:
Originally Posted by lenac
I have, to my knowledge, included everything from my experience with catnip in the Article. If there are any questions, please let me know and I will address those here and in the Article, through editing.
The Article is based my experience and experimentation with catnip. The method stated is not the only way catnip can be used, depending on what one wants or expects it to do. It is the method that has given me the results I have now.
I think it's time for an update on my catnip adventures! :)
I've been washing approximately every 3-4 days, mostly doing a catnip-only wash. I usually let the catnip sit on my head for a "long" period of time (I have no idea how long - maybe 20 minutes, but that's a complete guess - it could be longer or shorter). The catnip-only washing has worked really well for me, though I'm planning on doing baking soda washes with apple cider vinegar rinses followed by catnip conditioning every so often (maybe every 3-4 washes - I just started fiddling with the frequency) just to make sure my scalp stays clean. So far I've done five washes using catnip: three catnip-only washes, followed by one baking soda/ACV wash with catnip condition, followed by another catnip-only wash. I generally use 1 teaspoon of catnip in 300 mL of water that has been steeped for hours (sometimes even all day or night), then stored in the refrigerator until needed.
My hair absolutely loves catnip, and is softer with the catnip than it was with conditioner. I never thought my hair would be manageable without using conditioner. My hair has gotten its waves back with this routine (as compared to conditioner-only washing). The catnip treatments haven't seemed to affect my hair color too much, except maybe for bringing out my red and blond highlights.
Below is a picture of my hair after this morning's catnip-only wash. I combed my hair while it was wet, but didn't comb it again after it dried. There's another picture in my album in which I combed my hair. My hair is still frizzy, but it's a much softer frizziness than the coarse frizziness that was my hair before catnip.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...ictureid=33250
Wonderful! Thank you so much for posting this. I have not tried a catnip only wash yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by KaeleyAnne
Have you noticed that with the catnip only washes, that your hair gets oilier faster?
What kind of catnip are you using? Leaves and flowers?
Catnip has antibacterial, antiviral properties, so your scalp should be fine but if you use any oils or leave-ins on your hair, catnip alone is based on reports, not enough to remove those well enough on its own.
I believe that I'm using leaves and flowers. I bought it from an ebay seller and the description did not specify, but it looks like it contains both leaves and flowers by your descriptions in previous posts.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
Compared to when I was doing conditioner-only, my hair does not get as greasy as quickly with the catnip-only washes. With conditioner-only, my hair was really greasy by the fourth day, so it was best if I washed every three days. With catnip-only, my hair can go four days without getting too greasy. So I can go at least an extra day without washing when using catnip-only, if needed, if not longer. I haven't yet compared catnip-only to shampoo (or baking soda) followed by catnip.
I do agree that catnip-only generally is not enough to get out oils or leave-ins. That is part of the reason why I have started experimenting with baking soda as a shampoo. It's good to know that my scalp should stay clean with catnip-only if I don't use anything else in my hair. :)
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.Quote:
Originally Posted by KaeleyAnne
I have been experimenting with catnip as a 2nd shampoo, following less of my regular conventional shampoo. I have also closed my windows due to the bitter cold here.
I have not been sure which of the 2 has caused my hair to get oilier faster as both seemed to be likely causes (I do know that the closed windows can help my hair get more oily but it has been a question lately about how much oiler).
The catnip shampoo has cleaned my oily hair well enough at first.
Well. My first batch of catnip that I bought a few months back was in a (non-airtight) bag. It was Castor & Pollux Organic Catnip. I got it from Petco. I put it into a plastic tub as soon as I got home. It finally ran out. I went to get more and ended up buying the stuff in a Petco brand plastic tub. In the store I took the lid off for a whiff, and man did it smell strong!! It's way stronger than the stuff I had previously. I think the plastic tub is key. I think I will see more noticeable results with this batch.
Fresher is better, I have found.Quote:
Originally Posted by MsBubbles
I keep my Hagen catnip in its original plastic tub. It is almost a year old and it appears to be a little drier than when I first bought it but it is just as potent as when I first used it and I have barely made a dent in the total quantity. Catnip is the most economical hair conditioner, never mind hair colour, I have ever used.
My catnip is interesting. I bought it at a pet store. The brand is Kong, and claims it is the "highest potency available for maximum excitement" :grin: It has leaves, bulbs - the works. It's definitely not weak. It came with a "free toy" that my cats must have torn into shreds because it has disappeared. Anyway, it comes in a clear plastic container with a screw-on lid.
LOL, half the fun, OK less, of pet catnip is the marketing!Quote:
Originally Posted by LaCitoyenne
Kong, love it! LOL. It actually sounds great. Pet catnip is an extremely competitive business. The bonus is that for hair/skin the catnip is so much better quality than any health food store bulk catnip I have tried.
Because my catnip came tightly sealed, I guess it is pretty fresh. It seems so, compared to other types of catnip I have bought in the past (for my cats -- didn't know about the benefits for hair yet!).
Try any leftovers on your skin, it is wonderful for that too.Quote:
Originally Posted by LaCitoyenne
When I was bagging, the tea would drip down into my face. It did feel pretty soft after that.
I wash my face with it, heaven, and when I bag it on my hair, I use it on my hands, more heaven.Quote:
Originally Posted by LaCitoyenne
Ktani, I made this recipe back in October I liked it. Would you critique it though, please?
2 cups 180 degree water
1/3 cup cat nip
4 hibiscus flowers
1 Stash tea bag - Chamomile
Steep for 1/2 hour strain and refrigerate
From the perspective of a catnip recipe, you have too little of it to too much water and from my experience, catnip works best with nothing added to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
How did it work for you? That is what you need to consider most.
I would not call it a catnip treatment but a conditioning recipe with catnip added.
Have I misunderstood something, is 1/3 cup of catnip, to little to around 300 ml of water?Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
I use 1 level teaspoon catnip to just under 300 ml of boiled water.Quote:
Originally Posted by HotRag
1/3 cup catnip is a difficult measure but 2 cups of water, is almost 500 ml of water.
Ok, I thought 1 cup was about 150 ml.
1/3 cup catnip to 2 cups of water, wounds like very much catnip, compared to your 1/2 teaspoon
I use 1 level teaspoon, not 1/2 teaspoon to just under 300 mol boiled water.Quote:
Originally Posted by HotRag
Oh, I wrote wrong, I meant 1 teaspoon. I use to take ½ teaspoon and half as much water as you.
It still sounds much with 1/3 cup catnip to 2 cups of water.
I did not work out exactly how much 1 teaspoon is to 1/3 cup. I tried to use a conversion table but I am not sure it worked well enough. It still seems to be too little catnip to that much water, to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by HotRag
Even if it is close, I only use and prefer to use, catnip with nothing added to it, at the dilution I stated. That is how I have achieved the success with it that I have.
Chamomile built-up on my hair, so did mucilage etc. Hibiscus is very acidic and contains mucilage.
However, the most important question, is how the recipe worked or did not, for ljkforu.
I was asked for my critique and I gave it. I can only speak for what worked or works for me.
Ok. I just was confused when calculating in my head.
No worries. I was confused too, lol. I prefer to just measure it with a measuring spoon for 1 teaspoon.Quote:
Originally Posted by HotRag
1/3 cup is 16 teaspoons, so that measurement is WAY too strong.
Quite right, thank you. I had it backwards, and then some, (understatement), http://www.nutribase.com/convert.shtml lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by Deborah
Note to self: Never try to work out a conversion or go anywhere near one, when I first get up in the morning, lol.
Disclaimer: I have not read all of this thread, but I have read most of it...
So, here's my question...how hot do I get this water, if I don't boil it? I don't drink coffee or hot tea, so my experience with steeping anything is extremely limited.
TIA!
~Tik
I do boil the water, I just do not boil catnip in the water.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElenTikvah
I measure out the catnip and put into my mug, add the boiled water, cover, and let it steep.
Got it! Thanks! ~TikQuote:
Originally Posted by ktani
You are most welcome.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElenTikvah
I have read and did try using very hot but not boiled water with chamomile. It did not really work all that well. The idea being that boiled water can be too strong for flower herbs.
With catnip, I have only used boiled water and it works perfectly for me.
It works great as a rotational acid rinse. I try not to use any one thing for too long because I sensitize to it. But, if I keep my skin guessing it doesn't go in for the kill. I'll bet it has to do with the killer T-Cells from my Multiple Sclerosis, though it is only a guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by ktani
Thanks for the critique it was what I was looking for :D
You are most welcome!Quote:
Originally Posted by ljkforu
Cool! I am glad that using it the way you are, it is working for you.
I apologize if this has been asked before, but has anyone tried using fresh catnip? My parents have a catnip plant outside their back door, and wonder if that would have any different effect.
I have never had fresh catnip available to me, nor have I sought it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shandra
If you do decide to use it, harvest the plant before the flower buds have opened, and use a mix of the buds and leaves.
Those who have used fresh catnip used leaves only and a lower dilution than I use and reported that it did not help much.
For me, the mix and the dilution are key factors. I have only used dried leaves and flowers (buds).