new thread
Just found this, thanks to Charlie Ms' recent post about non sls shampoos!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Shampoo/
I'm gonna make the first one, which is 1/4 cup each water, castille soap, and oil. I'll be using Tea Tree oil, which is warming & stimulates hair growth.
I tried Kens' idea of Almond oil on my hair, and it feels so good! I do it right after a shower to lock in the moisture. I thought it would smell like Almonds, but it doesn't, which is dissappointing. Just smells like vegatable oil. I use kind of alot, heh, ;p which makes it look damp, but I like that look. :) I'll use Linseed oil also called Flax seed oil next. I've always LOVED how that stuff smells. It's an ancient furniture oil. From the Egyptians on up. Also very VERY good for your hands and skin. Thanks Ken!! Maybe I'll dilute the Tea Tree oil with the almond oil in the shampoo recipe, as Tea Tree oil's expensive.
I'm off to buy my bar of castille soap now!
Hi John,
I'd be very nervous about using tea tree oil on your hair, as it is a VERY strong type of oil. I had used it in the past once a long time ago, when I had an itchy skin problem area -- it felt like I was pouring turpentine on myself! I really don't think that tea tree oil is meant to be put onto/into the hair or scalp. The only 100% pure oils I have ever used in my own hair are these: Jojoba, Almond, Kukui nut, or Olive -- and even then, I only apply those oils onto the ends of my hair only (messaging it and distributing it throughout the hair shaft in the lower half of my mane only -- although some of that oil of course will eventually reach higher up the hair shafts than that, simply by the act of combing).
As far as shampoos go, the EO company is very good (EO stands for "Essential Oil"), as well as a similarly gentle and all-natural ingredients company called, "Avalon Organics"... I'm too lazy and disinterested to ever consider making my own homemade shampoo; but I do like to put my trust more in shampoos and other hair care products purchased from Health Food type stores.
It's all a matter of shampooing with something more or less in the "detergent" type of category (to get the grime and the dirty grease OUT of your hair); and then putting moisture and beneficial oils back INto your hair by conditioning and oiling the hair after the shampoos had taken everything out of it...
It's all a viscous circle, isn't it? (LOL)
- Ken
Very punny, Ken. [grin]
Indeed! ;p Life has it's rounds!
I've used tea tree oil also on um, itchy areas, and still keep it around just in case, and for my feet, but I love, LOVE the nice burning sensation it gives! Ha Ha! But that's me! I'm so tough from my construction work, but I've always loved,uh, invigorating things! ( I took a shower with the hose outside naked at 5 in the morning once or twice when it was 40 degrees when I was seventeen for instance! Then went in and stoked a fire in the fireplace. )
I have another shampoo I got from a neighbor friend that has mint or eucaliptus oil in it and it really burns my scalp nicely! I love it, but use it sparingly, and not every time. It's 'American Crew'. But I've used tea tree oil on my whole body on a very few occasions! It's good for warts and all kinds of stuff, but I didn't like it on my cheeks. It goes away after about 15 minutes though, so I don't get too concerned.
Everybody's different though. Thank you for your detailed, sensitive, informative, and entertaining feedback Ken in San Francisco!
- John C in Seattle.