Hair: rinses, oils.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
From: Amanda Stossel <fspr.aurora.alaska.edu>
Date: 01 Nov 1995 09:36:55 -090
Subject: Re: I need a good shampoo

> Can you suggest a good shampoo. My hair is dry and I have tried the better shampoos in local drug stores. I read about vegetable based shampoos but can't seem to find any. I bought an herbal shampoo from health food store with lots of herbs and coconut soap, but it is worse than the drug store shampoos.

ok, this sounds nuts, but hey!

I have curly red hair and live in a VERY dry climate, so I understand. What I do is mix olive oil, pure Aloe gel, rosemary, chamomile, and chickweed. heat it up (not too hot, you don't want burns!) apply to hair (after wetting hair) from root to tip. Cover with a plastic bag (I use the produce bags from grocery stores) and then a towel, and leave it there for about 45 minutes to an hour. Rinsing may take two shampoos. About once a month.

From: brumstik.interaccess.com (broomstick)

>I'd be interested in this also...I can never find a REALLY good natural shampoo that doesn't flatten or dry out my hair....it there one in between???
>(I know Tom's of Maine natural Almond shampoo is pretty darn good and no icky ingredients but after a while it does flatten my hair.)

When I switched to a natural shampoo I found that I needed to

1) shampoo LESS OFTEN - all soaps/deteregents/shampoos remove the natural oil in your hair to one degree or another. By shampooing less often my hair is not as dried out as it used to be.

*AND*

2) Really devote some quality time to brushing my hair. About 20 minutes a day, minimum. (OK, I've got long hair. Shorter styles may need slightly less attention). Nice, gentle brushing from the scalp to the roots. This redistributes your natural oils AND stimulates the scalp, keeping it healthy.

I also use a vinegar rinse - just a couple tablespoons of vinegar in a cup or two of water. This helps with tangles and flatness.

Of course, your results may vary. This is what worked for me.