Catnip for split ends?

[ktani]

So a little experiment.........the catnip I have been using was bought at the farmer's market back in the summer. It came in little zip baggies all chopped up.

Today I got some catnip tea from the health store that of course comes in tea bags. I brewed a batch of each to see if there would be any difference. I did the tea per the directions but doubled it. Here's what I got:



The left is the loose stuff from the farmer's market and has a very yellow to yellow green tint. The catnip tea came out more reddish/coppery.

So my question is what, if any, difference may there be between the two? What does your tea look like?

My tea, brewed for 5 hours, looks dark yellow almost gold in my white bone china mug and golden yellow (no red or brown in it though) in my clear shampoo bottle but still yields only a light yellow not "gold", as in any red in it or brown colour, on my hair.

[Zombiekins]

My tea if brewed for less than an hour looks more like the picture on the left, and if brewed for several hours comes closer to the picture on the right - if a little less reddish. I wonder if the bags you used in the experiement hold more catnip than the loose amount on the left?

[whiteisle]

My tea if brewed for less than an hour looks more like the picture on the left, and if brewed for several hours comes closer to the picture on the right - if a little less reddish. I wonder if the bags you used in the experiement hold more catnip than the loose amount on the left?

They actually appear to hold less, maybe 1/2 tsp, and the catnip is much finer.

[Sweetness]

Quick question...


I bought some dried catnip at the petshop. Actually, it says "herbe à chats" (Hagen - organic) but doesn't translate it into English.

It smells a little "minty", when infused. Does this mean it's actually catmint and not catnip ? How to tell ?

What does catnip smell like ?

[earthymamawitch]

Quick question...


I bought some dried catnip at the petshop. Actually, it says "herbe à chats" (Hagen - organic) but doesn't translate it into English.

It smells a little "minty", when infused. Does this mean it's actually catmint and not catnip ? How to tell ?

What does catnip smell like ?

To me, catnip just smelled "herby". Kind of like grass?

Jenn

[Sweetness]

I went back and smelled it "dry" and it does smell grassy ... yesterday I found that, infusing, it smelled minty... confusing

Well, it's on my head now, so I hope there's no disaster if it's actually catmint instead of catnip ... !

[loyaboya]

I went back and smelled it "dry" and it does smell grassy ... yesterday I found that, infusing, it smelled minty... confusing

Thats how mine is- herby when dry, minty when infused I love the minty smell.

Wow, I'd taken a break from catnip for a few weeks (not sure why- I think I was testing out a new conditioner and didn't to be swayed by the catnip goodness). Anyway, my ends had started getting really dry but I didn't think much of it since I'm due for a trim anyway. Well, over the weekend I did a catnip soak again and wow. I'd forgotten how nice it makes my hair feel. My hair feels sleek and the ends are totally smooth. I love this stuff

[ktani]

I checked with Hagen via email what species their catnip is and they replied Nepeta cataria.

[Sweetness]

Thank you, I'm so happy I got the right thing ! And in fact, I think it might be quite a success and totally worth it ! I'm waiting for tomorrow when it's totally dried to confirm

For now, waaaay more shine, great texture, soft ! I'm impressed

[ktani]

Thank you, I'm so happy I got the right thing ! And in fact, I think it might be quite a success and totally worth it ! I'm waiting for tomorrow when it's totally dried to confirm

For now, waaaay more shine, great texture, soft ! I'm impressed

My pleasure! Glad to hear that you are so pleased.