Re: OT - organic shampoo and conditioner recipes

[Guest guest]

I use simple " no poo " , which is just baking soda. My hair is VERY thick, course

and curly, and this works a charm on it. I am extremely chemically sensitive,

and the only soap I am safe using is Miracle II soap, but I don't care for it on

my hair. When I first started using just baking soda, I didn't like the way my

hair felt, and my scalp felt itchy, but I realized it was just buildup from

commercial shampoos. After a couple of washes, my hair was revived like never

before-very soft and shiny. The hardest part for me was getting used to not

having lather, but we don't NEED lather... I just mix a bit of baking soda and

water in a ketchup type squirt bottle, and swoosh the tip of it through my hair

squirting out a bit of the liquid, then I massage it through and rinse well. I

used to use apple cider vinegar, but found I was allergic to it, so now I don't

use a rinse, but I do rinse with fresh squeezed lemon every now and then. You

can add a drop or two of lavender or rose essential oil to the baking soda

water, if you want scent. I condition my hair with butter or yogurt. I make a

homemade hair gel by buzzing up some organic tapioca into a flour in the

Vitamix, then adding a bit of warm water and letting it " gel " for a few minutes.

I keep the gel stored in my fridge and just use it the same as I would any other

hair gel, on those occasions when I feel the need to get all gussies up, lol.

It has made a HUGE difference to me not having chemicals in my life. I also

make toilet bowl cleaner from the same hair gel type mix, only I add some food

grade peroxide and baking soda to it. You can also use virgin coconut oil as a

moisturizer and hair conditioner. It is also MUCH cheaper to use natural stuff!

>

> I *think* I'd like to make natural shampoo and conditioner for my family. I've

googled the topic and looked at some websites, but wanted to ask the vast

knowledge base of this group. I'm not looking to cure, treat, or prevent any

hair or scalp problem, just interested in using fewer chemicals.

>

> When I was growing up in the '50s, my mom washed our hair with baby shampoo

(terrible, I know) and used apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.

>

> Any experience with soapwort or aloe vera for shampoo, and coconut oil as a

regular daily conditioner?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, . I knew you'd have some helpful tips. ) Baking soda, and no

lather, will take a little getting used to. Would you recommend using coconut

oil or olive oil only occasionally?

[Guest guest]

Your Mom must have read the same sources mine did. I grew up with Mom

washing my hair in the 50's using shampoo followed by vinegar rinse, and

lastly a douse of cold water to " close the pores on the hair and scalp " .

Always hated that last part.

Velda

On 2/24/2012 5:25 PM, wrote:

> I *think* I'd like to make natural shampoo and conditioner for my family. I've

googled the topic and looked at some websites, but wanted to ask the vast

knowledge base of this group. I'm not looking to cure, treat, or prevent any

hair or scalp problem, just interested in using fewer chemicals.

>

> When I was growing up in the '50s, my mom washed our hair with baby shampoo

(terrible, I know) and used apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.

>

> Any experience with soapwort or aloe vera for shampoo, and coconut oil as a

regular daily conditioner?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

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[Guest guest]

Oh, me too! She also used Prell. I always liked watching a trapped air bubble

slowly rise when I tipped the bottle. Ah, memories. My mom passed seven years

ago. I miss her, but this brings back some warm memories.

[Guest guest]

Oh, my goodness-that DOES bring back some memories! I LOVED Prell and the

bubble, and my mom used to insist that the " cold water rinse " was essential to

nice hair too, lol! I wouldn't use such harsh shampoo these days, but it does

conjure up lovely memories indeed! I also loved FLEX BALSAM shampoo-has the

same stuff in it that car anti freeze does, but man did it smell great, lol!

>

> Oh, me too! She also used Prell. I always liked watching a trapped air bubble

slowly rise when I tipped the bottle. Ah, memories. My mom passed seven years

ago. I miss her, but this brings back some warm memories.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, my. I forgot all about Flex. It did smell good. We must be around the

same age. I'm 55. Wow! In my mind I feel more like I'm a 25-year-old " with

experience " until the classic happens...I walk by a store window and wonder who

the old lady is.

Thanks for your help.

[Guest guest]

My hair is thinning terribly due to underrated hypothyroid (still working on this)… I use Henna (it adds strength and glossiness to the hair) + Buxus (to tone the color down to more of a red/brown than a flame red). But it always dries my hair out, so after a Henna/Buxus application, (the next day) I work about 1/2 of a cup of warmed coconut oil into my hair in the evening, wrap my head in saran wrap, cover that with a plastic shower cap, and sleep on it. In the morning I get it all out with shampoo. It is a VERY good deep conditioner used this way.My source for Henna: http://www.hennaforhair.com/Buxus: http://www.mehandi.com/shop/buxus/index.html (I use equal parts buxus and henna for a color like example #3)

Blessings,Lea Ann SavageSatellite Beach, FL(321) 773-7088 (home)(321-961-9219 (cell)))><'>www.VitamixLady.comwww..com<))><

On Feb 24, 2012, at 10:17 PM, wrote:

So how much coconut oil would you say to start with (collar-length thin hair)? Do you put it on towel-dried hair and leave on until next shampoo? My hair is thinning because of a parathyroid tumor I have yet to have removed. I have to use products that are light-weight but add moisture, otherwise my hair gets weighed down. I see castille soap mentioned a lot in shampoo recipes, but read you have to use extreme caution if you make it. Anyway, I think I'd like to try the route where I don't put anything on my hair I wouldn't put in my mouth. I don't know if I'll end up there, but that's my goal.

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to confirm, that you were talking about using a TINY bit as a LEAVE IN conditioner?I can't use it as a leave in conditioner in any amount. It always seems to make my hair look greasy. Admittedly, I'm using sudsing shampoo to get the coconut oil out with my method (but it is organic and supposedly Paraben-free from the Health Food Store :-)

Blessings,Lea Ann SavageSatellite Beach, FL(321) 773-7088 (home)(321-961-9219 (cell)))><'>www.VitamixLady.comwww..com<))><

On Feb 24, 2012, at 10:49 PM, Lea Ann Savage wrote:

My hair is thinning terribly due to underrated hypothyroid (still working on this)… I use Henna (it adds strength and glossiness to the hair) + Buxus (to tone the color down to more of a red/brown than a flame red). But it always dries my hair out, so after a Henna/Buxus application, (the next day) I work about 1/2 of a cup of warmed coconut oil into my hair in the evening, wrap my head in saran wrap, cover that with a plastic shower cap, and sleep on it. In the morning I get it all out with shampoo. It is a VERY good deep conditioner used this way.My source for Henna: http://www.hennaforhair.com/Buxus: http://www.mehandi.com/shop/buxus/index.html (I use equal parts buxus and henna for a color like example #3)

Blessings,Lea Ann SavageSatellite Beach, FL(321) 773-7088 (home)(321-961-9219 (cell)))><'>www.VitamixLady.comwww..com<))><

On Feb 24, 2012, at 10:17 PM, wrote:

So how much coconut oil would you say to start with (collar-length thin hair)? Do you put it on towel-dried hair and leave on until next shampoo? My hair is thinning because of a parathyroid tumor I have yet to have removed. I have to use products that are light-weight but add moisture, otherwise my hair gets weighed down. I see castille soap mentioned a lot in shampoo recipes, but read you have to use extreme caution if you make it. Anyway, I think I'd like to try the route where I don't put anything on my hair I wouldn't put in my mouth. I don't know if I'll end up there, but that's my goal.

[Guest guest]

Yes, I meant as a leave in-more like a gloss. My daughter just rubs a tiny

smidge between her hands to warm it, then applies it just to the ends of her

hair-works a charm! She also does a similar thing as you-she puts on a good gob

of it that she warms up in the microwave-more of a " hot oil " treatment. She

puts it on, puts on a shower cap, then runs the hair dryer on it for a few

minutes, lets it soak in for an hour or so, then shampoos it out. She uses the

gloss method after drying her hair completely, or puts in just a bit before blow

drying.

>

>

> So how much coconut oil would you say to start with (collar-length thin hair)?

Do you put it on towel-dried hair and leave on until next shampoo? My hair is

thinning because of a parathyroid tumor I have yet to have removed. I have to

use products that are light-weight but add moisture, otherwise my hair gets

weighed down. I see castille soap mentioned a lot in shampoo recipes, but read

you have to use extreme caution if you make it. Anyway, I think I'd like to try

the route where I don't put anything on my hair I wouldn't put in my mouth. I

don't know if I'll end up there, but that's my goal.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I thought I'd ease in to " natural " shampoo because I still wanted some lather,

so I picked up a huge bottle of Everyday Shea Moisturizing Unscented Shampoo at

Whole Foods. My hair actually looks worse after only four or five washings. It

lists shea leaf extract, shea butter soap, cocamidopropyl betaine, and decyl

polyglucose as the ingredients (paraben free, fragrance free, unrefined

ingredients, handmade). Hm.

I, too, wonder if the coconut oil will be too much to leave in my hair, but

figure it's worth a try on a weekend.

[Guest guest]

LOL, I also don't use what I can't pronounce! I don't go for the whole " all

natural " thing-keep in mind doggie poo and cyanide are " all natural " too! And I

want neither of those in my hair either, lol.

>

> I thought I'd ease in to " natural " shampoo because I still wanted some lather,

so I picked up a huge bottle of Everyday Shea Moisturizing Unscented Shampoo at

Whole Foods. My hair actually looks worse after only four or five washings. It

lists shea leaf extract, shea butter soap, cocamidopropyl betaine, and decyl

polyglucose as the ingredients (paraben free, fragrance free, unrefined

ingredients, handmade). Hm.

>

> I, too, wonder if the coconut oil will be too much to leave in my hair, but

figure it's worth a try on a weekend.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

LOL, doesn't hurt! I have far more packaging than I should have, though!

>

>

>

> Oh, my. I forgot all about Flex. It did smell good. We must be around the

same age. I'm 55. Wow! In my mind I feel more like I'm a 25-year-old " with

experience " until the classic happens...I walk by a store window and wonder who

the old lady is.

>

> Thanks for your help.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> =

>

[Guest guest]

I have made my own lotion, in fact I just made some tonight!  It is funny you brought this up - I was just googling yesterday about how to make my own conditioner.   This is the recipe I found that I am going to try. http://www.easy-aromatherapy-recipes.com/natural-hair-conditioner.html  It is weird, but coconut oil doesn't seem that moisturizing to my hair on its own.  I do thinking heating would probably help it absorb better.  I haven't tried aloe vera or soapwort but would love to hear if they work.  I have had these recipes for shampoo saved for a bit that I want to try too.  (One is dry shampoo.)

http://www.crunchybetty.com/not-ready-for-no-poo-try-sorta-poo-with-coconut-milk-and-castille

http://www.readymade.com/projects/organic_hair_powder On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 6:25 PM, <jupiter7@...> wrote:

I *think* I'd like to make natural shampoo and conditioner for my family. I've googled the topic and looked at some websites, but wanted to ask the vast knowledge base of this group. I'm not looking to cure, treat, or prevent any hair or scalp problem, just interested in using fewer chemicals.

When I was growing up in the '50s, my mom washed our hair with baby shampoo (terrible, I know) and used apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.

Any experience with soapwort or aloe vera for shampoo, and coconut oil as a regular daily conditioner?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Here is a wiki link for soap nuts. I used them for years, can't really remember

why I quit! Great for making laundry soap, dish soap, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindus

> >

> >>

> >> Thanks, . I knew you'd have some helpful tips. ) Baking

> >> soda, and no lather, will take a little getting used to. Would you

> >> recommend using coconut oil or olive oil only occasionally?

> >>

> >>

> >>

> > =

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I did use them for laundry for a long time. As I said, I can't really remember

why I quit using soap nuts-I think I just ran out of a source for buying them

back when I used them-internet wasn't so available at the time, lol. They did a

great job. I now use just baking soda and peroxide for laundry, but I think I

will order some of the nuts and give them another go!

> >

> >

> > 

> >>Thanks, . I knew you'd have some helpful tips. ) Baking soda, and no

lather, will take a little getting used to. Would you recommend using coconut

oil or olive oil only occasionally?

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>=

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the links, . What do you use to make your lotion?

[Guest guest]

It's amazing how we think alike. I also use baking soda with water in a red ketchup squeeze bottle for shampoo. I also rinse my hair with apple cider vinegar. Last but not least I also use coconut oil on myhair. My hair feels so soft and clean. I wish I would have started doing this a long time ago. It is a lot cheaper than the traditional methods which is icing on the cake.JD

[Guest guest]

Hi . Very interesting post. Quick question. What is the purpose/benefit of

rinsing with cider vinegar or lemon? Also what ratio of baking soda to water is

optimal?

Debbie

> >

> > I *think* I'd like to make natural shampoo and conditioner for my family.

I've googled the topic and looked at some websites, but wanted to ask the vast

knowledge base of this group. I'm not looking to cure, treat, or prevent any

hair or scalp problem, just interested in using fewer chemicals.

> >

> > When I was growing up in the '50s, my mom washed our hair with baby shampoo

(terrible, I know) and used apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.

> >

> > Any experience with soapwort or aloe vera for shampoo, and coconut oil as a

regular daily conditioner?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Debbie. I think the only real benefit of the rinse is to remove any

residue, but I find that just using a mild solution (about 2 tbsp baking soda to

80z of water is good enough that it does the job and rinses out very easily. It

was REALLY hard for me to get past wanting/needing lather, but once I realized

that we really don't need that, and stuck with it long enough to get buildup out

of my hair, I was, and am, happy with just the light solution-works a charm!

[Guest guest]

Interesting. I always thought lemon juice was bad for your hair. Good to know.

One last (perhaps slightly silly) question. Is that solution mix per bottle or

per application?

Debbie

>

[Guest guest]

This is a great idea. I wonder if it would have any adverse effects on

highlights? The salon shampoo I use for colored hair is absurdly pricey.

>

> It's amazing how we think alike.  I also use baking soda with water in a red

ketchup squeeze bottle for shampoo.  I also rinse my hair with apple cider

vinegar.  Last but not least I also use coconut oil on my

> hair.  My hair feels so soft and clean.  I wish I would have started doing

this a long time ago.  It is a lot cheaper than the traditional methods which is

icing on the cake.

>

> JD

>