Catnip for split ends?

[ktani]

Stagecoach

When I first started using catnip, I applied it like conditioner in the shower and left it on, uncovered about 10-15 minutes or so - it did give me some colour but not a lot.

I had a build-up of linden tea on my hair at the time though.

I did not find that it made my hair that oily but I do shampoo my length every time - just by working the lather from my scalp down the length and squeezing it through the length and ends, not adding separate shampoo to the canopy or ends. I only lather once and do not use too much shampoo.

I find dilution does matter too - I started out with a heaping tsp to a cup of water then a level tsp to 250 ml and for a long while now - 1 level tsp to over 250 ml just under 300 ml of boiled water.

More dilution means less astringency and my hair does not get stringy - the lower dilutions did cause a bit of stringiness way back.

[ColoradoDreamer]

Okay, dumb question time. I have 8 cats. If I use a catnip infusion in my hair, will the furkids be into my hair all the time?

[ktani]

ColoradoDreamer

That is not a dumb question at all - it has come up several times before.

I have visited friends with my hair freshly washed (when any catnip odour would be the strongest, if it was there) and their multiple cats have not been interested in my hair at all.

When you do the infusion - the catnip needs to be covered.

When it is brewed, it has minimal odour.

When it is rinsed from the hair - there is no odour left in the hair.

[MoonCreature]

This sounds interesting.. And if the cats are unaffected I think I'll give it a go! Having four cats rolling in my hair isn't the ideal situation. I do however need to find a way to prepare the catnipe behind locked doors.

[ktani]

MoonCreature

If your catnip is in a sealed container - you should be ok.

From the container to the mug - yes - probably a good idea to be cat free.

Once the mug is covered - you should be fine.

[ktani]

My next experiment is steeping the catnip until it cools down and not deactivating it into a second mug.

I want to see how that affects the colour.

I read on one site that you can steep it for 6 hours but that was for making it as a medicinal beverage - too long for me - cool down should be about 1.5 to 2 hours.

I will report back as to how that goes.

[birdiefu]

How do you all think catnip EO would work? I have some (super bug repellent, but pricey) and was wondering if a dilution of the EO would give the same split-resistance as a tea. Or is most of the benefits in the water-soluble components of catnip, you think?

[ktani]

birdiefu

An EO is much much stronger than the oil in a plant from what I have read.

I definitely think that all of the components of catnip working together, not a single one, give me the results I have gotten.

[ColoradoDreamer]

Hmmm. I just might have to raid the furkids' stash!

[ktani]

There is another reason I believe pet store catnip is better - quality control.

While bulk catnip was my first choice for a long time, it proved unreliable even though the store I bought most of it from is excellent.

Pet supply companies are in a very competitive field and need to ensure that the quality is there.

Aside from the pet food recalls of late I think that this does apply.

There have been enough human food recalls not to challenge that.

If a pet store does brisk business the catnip turnover should be fairly high.

But more importantly - a company's product better sell well and be good quality or it can very easily be replaced.

So, sealed containers, fresher catnip to begin with from companies who specialize in being in the pet supply market (quality control) and higher turnover = better catnip IMO.