Commercial shampoo and conditioner is full of chemicals and artificial fragrances. You know that. What you don't realize is that the chemical known as "sodium lauryl sulfate," which is in nearly every commercial brand shampoo has been identified by experts as causing dandruff, hair loss, and has even been known to cause a cataract-forming protien. The artificial fragrances that the shampoo companies use in their products aren't likely to be floral and inviting with a hint of woodsy fragrance, since the over 100 chemical fragrances that are in each bottle of shampoo are made in a lab. If you want to know what's actually in your shampoo and conditioner, try homemade herbal shampoo. It's very easy to make, and will make all the difference to your hair health.
Herbal Shampoo Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons of liquid castile soap
- 1 cup spring water
- 2 tablespoons of the dried herbs of your choice
- 1 teaspoon of almond oil
- 2 drops of the essential oil of your choice
Directions
Boil the water in a saucepan on your stove, steep the herbs of your choice in the boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain the water from the herbs and put the water in a large bowl and add your liquid castile soap and almond oil to the water and mix well. Add your essential oils last, and mix them in. Store your homemade herbal shampoo in an airtight container. Shake well before use. This recipe should yield about 24 washes.
Herbal Shampoo & Conditoner Additions for Healthy Hair
There are certian herbs that will customize your herbal shampoo to fit your hair's needs. Following is a list of herbs for differant "add-ons" to create the shampoo of your dreams, the natural way.
- For dry hair: comfrey root, avocado oil, elder flowers, and orange blossoms.
- For normal hair: dandelion, horsetail, and clover.
- For oily hair: watercress, strawberry leaf, white willow bark, and lemon grass.
- For ethnic hair: comfrey, nettle, cherry bark, and olive oil.
- For manageability: Yogurt, cherry bark, and beer.
- For shine: egg, raspberry, nettle, and vinegar.
- For softness: cherry bark, burdock root, olive oil and marjoram.
- For growth: St. John's Wort, nettle, sage, basil, and rosemary.
Herbal Conditioner Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rose floral water
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
- 10 drops vitamin E oil
Directions:
Boil the rose water and add in the jojoba oil, then put the mixture into the blender and add the 10 drops of vitamin E oil and blend at a high speed for two minutes. Store in an airtight container. Shake well before using.
Good luck with your natural hair care, you'll notice the difference within two weeks. Your hair will be shinier, softer, and stronger.
Reference:
care2.com/greenliving/basic-herbal-shampoo-conditioner.html
Leeanne DeFrance - Leeanne is a freelance writer who enjoys writing articles about pets, home decor, and homeopathic remedies. She also writes for seed.com, ...
