Catnip for split ends?

[ktani]

300 ml = 10. 144 fluid oz US. I use just under 300 ml. So the US measurement would be just under 10 oz. I will add that to the article too.

ETA: Done!

[ktani]

It is funny because when people first started posting about catnip used in shampoo and then as a shampoo my first reaction was "well then nothing is being used to remove it".

And I know that catnip is a great face and body skin wash. Then when I used it as a 2nd shampoo my hair was cleaner. However, the extra drag worried me a bit. I have done partial, quick s&ds and noticed the knotting but saw no split ends.

It was not until I did this last thorough s&d and found those couple of split ends and more knotting that I able to slowly piece it altogether with the reports. 2 split ends do not a crisis make. But they are an indication, after so long of being split end free, and having done so many thorough s&ds in the past, that something was wrong. Now I know. To be absolutely sure I will watch other reports on catnip used as a shampoo. For me, no more experimenting for the time being. If I improve my catnip routine, I will post and share the information.

[ktani]

I know that there are a number of threads on washing hair with plants but most if not all plants need adjustments to using them. With Indian washing plants, pre oiling is traditional or they can be too cleansing. Most plants leave something behind when they are used to cleanse. Sometimes that something can build-up on hair. Sometimes, like with catnip I am pretty sure, it blocks hair absorption to a degree, even though catnip does not build-up, from my experince with it. No plant IMO, can be all things at all times. Ideally, it would be different but it does not appear so, depending on the hair goal.

My only real hair goal, is to have the healthiest, split end free, breakage free (now that part is a dream), long, shiny, hair, with grey/white coverage, possible.

[wintersun99]

I just added this to the catnip article.

"Covering grey/white hair with catnip can be done most effectively, by first steeping catnip tea longer than just cooled to room temperature, to deepen the colour. All other directions remain the same, including the 1 hour timing. The only other additions are; 1. when removing the bag or other covering, let the hair cool down a bit before rinsing off the catnip, and 2. only rinse with tepid to cool, not warm or hot water."

Oh, this is good info. I didn't do this last night at all. I didn't get any color and no noticeable conditioning. But, I thought perhaps I needed a few times for it to build up. I will do it again tonight following the above. Gracias

[ktani]

Oh, this is good info. I didn't do this last night at all. I didn't get any color and no noticeable conditioning. But, I thought perhaps I needed a few times for it to build up. I will do it again tonight following the above. Gracias

You are most welcome!

Depending on what is on your hair, clarify it first, to remove residue or conditioner. You just need a shampoo for normal hair, to do that. Catnip use, from my experience with it, does improve over time but it does not build-up.

Catnip will not stain over conditioner, I have found. It will still condition over conditioner but not to its optimal capabilities.

[Anje]

I just wanted to add an update: I tried catnip again with a more concentrated solution (about 2 tsp in ~300 ml), and this time my hair didn't feel like it had just soaked in water after I rinsed. It was a bit tangled still when I rinsed out (I'm not going to be soaking it as a braid again), but after drying it has been less tangled than usual, and feeling quite soft. So for me, it looks like a higher concentration is going to make more of a difference than the usual dilution, though I will need to mess with it a bit more.

[ktani]

I just wanted to add an update: I tried catnip again with a more concentrated solution (about 2 tsp in ~300 ml), and this time my hair didn't feel like it had just soaked in water after I rinsed. It was a bit tangled still when I rinsed out (I'm not going to be soaking it as a braid again), but after drying it has been less tangled than usual, and feeling quite soft. So for me, it looks like a higher concentration is going to make more of a difference than the usual dilution, though I will need to mess with it a bit more.

It depends on the individual. I found a more full tsp in 250 ml of water too astringent for my hair and skin. My ends were drier and my skin felt tight. It was not severe or bad, just not what I or my skin and hair liked.

If you are happy with your dilution, great!

[Heidi_234]

I wonder if one can perform "astringency test" on one spot the skin to determine how concentrated they can do the catnip.
I admit I sometimes put twice as much catnip, but I didn't feel anything on my skin.

[ktani]

I wonder if one can perform "astringency test" on one spot the skin to determine how concentrated they can do the catnip.
I admit I sometimes put twice as much catnip, but I didn't feel anything on my skin.

I would just go by how dry the skin and hair feel. I found the more diluted catnip is up to the dilution I use, the better.

[Neoma]

Dear enablers,

I went to the pet store and bought a little paper bag filled with organic catnip.

The checkout lady asked if I ever gave my cats a "catnip bath." She said that you sprinkle catnip over the bottom of the bathtub and let the cats loose. When they're done playing, you rinse the catnip down the drain.

I told her that I have no cats and that I was going to use it on my hair, because it's good for split ends. She said, "Oh, I see," but you could tell from her face that she didn't see at all.

I have a glass jar that holds about four cups of water. I was thinking about brewing two teaspoons of catnip in four cups of water. Maybe that won't be a strong enough concentration, since I plan on pouring out about a quarter of the jar into a larger container, then mixing that quarter with three or four cups of water to dip my hair into, then dump on my head.

Thoughts?