Non-Henna Alternatives for Coloring Gray (Pics)

[Priska]

Yes, I'm reading a thread about catnip too. I could lift that up also.

[paulownia]

I recently was searching for information about alternatives to henna and indigo and I found a couple interesting articles about katam ( Buxus dioica) and manjistha ( Rubia cordifolia) .
Katam is an alternative to indigo but can be used without henna. Rubia gives shades of peach / strawberry . Rubia with cassia for exemple can give strawberry blonde and rubia with katam - purple
Well, I'm waiting for my first batch of katam that I ordered today....

[Alilmi]

I recently was searching for information about alternatives to henna and indigo and I found a couple interesting articles about katam ( Buxus dioica) and manjistha ( Rubia cordifolia) .
Katam is an alternative to indigo but can be used without henna. Rubia gives shades of peach / strawberry . Rubia with cassia for exemple can give strawberry blonde and rubia with katam - purple
Well, I'm waiting for my first batch of katam that I ordered today....

I have read, that here in the United States, we cannot get Katam at the moment (due to it being illegal to import). Supposedly any “Katam” sold here at this time is actually indigo. Just wanted to put this out there, so strand test! I’m certain Europe is different, so this pertains to people in the US only.

[paulownia]

I have read, that here in the United States, we cannot get Katam at the moment (due to it being illegal to import). Supposedly any “Katam” sold here at this time is actually indigo. Just wanted to put this out there, so strand test! I’m certain Europe is different, so this pertains to people in the US only.

I had no idea why is it illegal to import?
I'm pretty sure I got katam, so no worries here. I will do cassia with katam and manjistha tomorrow. Really excited.

[paulownia]

After treatment.
Cassia mixed with distilled water, left for dye release 17 hours. Manjistha and katam mixed directly before applying. Proportions 3 parts cassia, 2 parts katam, 2 parts manjistha. Left for 2 hours on clarified and chelated hair.
In bathroom lighting


In daylight

[Alilmi]

It is my understanding, that Katam is grown in Yemen and Iran. Due to policial issues it is currently not imported into the US. ��*♀️
At least that’s what I’ve read. It would be great to have that option available for people with allergies to Indigo.

[C_Bookworm]

Awesome results, paulownia!

[paulownia]

Further experiments with alternatives to henna and indigo
This time I'm pretty sure I'll stay with this one.
Katam, mixed with distilled water and a pinch of salt and a dash of baking soda. Left on clarified and chelated hair for 3 hours.
Gives dark grey which blends perfectly with my natural ash brown and silvers.
In daylight



In bathroom lighting

[yeshuasdaughter]

I henna, but I also use a hibiscus leave in.. and I find I can go longer between hennaing because the greys are tinged red at the roots and thus less visible.. not the stark white.. now if I miss a section up front with the hibiscus and I am in need of Henna, its VERY visible.. instead of only slightly so when I get the hibiscus all over and leave it in!

Please tell me more about the hibiscus leave in. I have hibiscus tea. And I would love to try this.

[pullanmuru]

Further experiments with alternatives to henna and indigo
This time I'm pretty sure I'll stay with this one.
Katam, mixed with distilled water and a pinch of salt and a dash of baking soda. Left on clarified and chelated hair for 3 hours.
Gives dark grey which blends perfectly with my natural ash brown and silvers.

Awesome result. I'm really interested in trying katam/buxus because henna/indigo is so permanent in my hair and I am looking for some way to darken my hair in a way that is not as permanent and I've read katam fades easier than indigo. I see it's been a while since you posted, and I'm wondering has it stayed in your hair or faded? Have you continued using it and if so, have you used just plain katam or added cassia?