Shampoo

[Guest guest]

Truly Homemade Shampoo

(from scratch)

Shampoo is just liquid soap, usually made with vegetable oils

rather than

animal fat, and with glycerine and alcohol added during the

soapmaking

process.

The basic ingredients for regular soap are lye (potash leached from

ashes),

fat (animal tallow) or oil, and water.

(Depending on how basic you want to get, you could even make your

own lye and

render your own fat, but that's very time consuming.)

Try the following recipe for a gentle homemade shampoo:

Ingredients:

2 lb. 10 oz. olive oil

1 lb. 7 oz of solid-type vegetable shortening

1 lb. coconut oil

10 1/4 oz. lye

2 pt. water

1 1/2 oz. glycerine

1/2 oz. alcohol

1 1/2 oz castor oil

Preparation:

NOTE: You will need a candy thermometer to test temperatures.

Mix oils together. Place in a container and set the container in a

large pan.

Mix the lye solution - pour the lye into an enamel coated container

of 2 pints

of cold water and stir steadily.

(Caution: Read warning on Lye container)

When cooled, pour lye solution into a glass container and set in

another large

pan.

Bring both to between 95° and 98° F - this will mean pouring either

cold or

hot water into the pans, depending on the original temperature of

the

ingredients.

Add the lye solution to the oils, pouring in a steady stream while

continuing

to stir.

The mixture will turn opaque and brownish, then will lighten.

It's ready when its surface can support a drop of mixture for a

moment.

The consistency should be like sour cream.

Stir in 1 1/2 oz. glycerine

1/2 oz. alcohol and

1 1/2 oz castor oil.

Add any colorants or scents you desire.

Now, you can pour the mixture into molds and allow to harden, then

make the

shampoo as you need it by shaving off flakes and boiling in water

until they

dissolve

about 1 pound of shavings per gallon of water.

Or, you can add more water to mixture, boil, and allow to cool,

then place in

bottles for use.

Herbal Shampoo for Oily Hair

Ingredients:

2 tbsp dry peppermint

2 tbsp dry spearmint

1 tbsp dry sage

1 cup water

2/3 cup baby shampoo

Preparation:

Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes.

Strain out the herbs and mix the baby shampoo with the herbal

water.

Pour into a plastic squirt bottle or jar.

Herbal Shampoo for Dry Hair

Ingredients:

1 tbsp dry comfrey root

1 tbsp dry rosemary

1 tbsp dry chamomile

1 cup water

2/3 cup baby shampoo

1 egg (beaten)

1/3 cup milk

Preparation:

Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes.

Strain out the herbs and mix herbal water with the baby shampoo,

egg and milk.

Pour into a plastic squirt bottle or jar.

Hair Conditioner

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and heat until just

boiling.

Remove immediately from heat and let cool.

Pour into a plastic spray bottle and spray on the ends of hair

while wet.

Wrap a warm, wet towel around hair and leave for one hour.

Shampoo the mixture out of your hair, rinse and dry as usual.

Mixture should be stored in a cool place.

Dry Shampoo

Ingredients:

2 tbsp corn meal

1 tbsp ground almonds

1 1/2 tbsp orrisroot

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a bowl.

Massage 1 tsp into your scalp, then brush through hair.

Repeat if necessary.

Shampoo for Bounce and Shine

Ingredients:

1 egg 1 tsp lemon juice

3 tbsp unscented shampoo

Fragrance oil of your choice

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

Shampoo into your hair and rinse well.

The egg will act as a conditioner, and the lemon juice will bring

shine to

your hair!

HAIR GEL

2 tbsp Flax seeds

1 cup water

A few drops of essential oils

(optional, to give the gel a nice smell)

Place flax seeds & water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and let sit for about 15-20 minutes.

Strain and allow to cool completely.

Add essential oils (if desired) when cooled.

Place in glass container and store.