As a follow-up to my previous post on nettles and shampoo, here's some info that should be interesting to those who want to treat their hair gently and naturally.
Our solid shampoos are based on a soap formula using selected plant oils, coconut oil, olive oil a LOT of cocoa butter and thick castor oil for creaminess. We make strong infusions of herbs and include both the infusion and the infused herbs in the shampoos, along with blends of essential oils. They are designed to wash hair gently, cleaning the hair and allowing it to achieve its natural balance. Unfortunately, and we are fessing up, there can be a downside to them, depending on where you live.
Tap water contains minerals; commonly calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Hair products can react with these minerals in the water, leaving a residue on your hair: our solid shampoos are no different, and because of all our lovely natural oils, the residue can make your hair feel heavy. If you find this a particular problem, and actually even if you don't find it a particular problem, rinsing your hair with Apple Cider Vinegar, can be a true revelation!
One of Nature's treasures, Apple Cider Vinegar seems to have many benefits, internally and externally. For all the science, here's an interesting read.
The simple thing is, it makes a great (and cheap) hair rinse, removing product build-up and residue, and restores the natural pH balance of the hair. People even report it adding body to their hair, which sounds like a tall order, but if the hair is healthy, it will have more bounce, so that could be what they are experiencing. Importantly however, it closes the hair cuticle, smoothing the surface of the hair shaft, which will help hair to detangle, reduce frizz and give it a shine. Make your own hair rinse easily. We use a naturally fermented cider vinegar straight from the farm, from Somerset Cider Vinegar. It has a lovely flavour, so we use it in our cooking too, and take it medicinally.
To make a hair rinse:
Add 30-50ml Apple Cider vinegar to 500ml of water. After shampooing, pour the mixture slowly over the hair, allowing it to wet the scalp and all of the hair. Massage for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse! Don't worry about the vinegary smell, it will disappear once the hair dries. Try it once a week and see if it works for you. You can alter the amount of vinegar you use, depending on your own hair.
We make three types of shampoo designed to appeal to people with different hair types and conditions.
Nettle, Parsley and Rosemary Shampoo: formulated for dark hair and including three powerful herbs used for promoting hair growth, invigorating the scalp and promoting healthy, shiny hair.
Chamomile, Rose Hip and Lemon Shampoo: intended for those with fair hair, chamomile flowers are used to add a golden tint to fair hair, rose hips for their high level of Vitamin C and Lemon to brighten the hair and treat dandruff on the scalp.
Green Tea, Eucalyptus and Peppermint Shampoo: green tea is a powerful anti-oxidant and has the ability to stimulate hair growth, eucalyptus oil with scalp massage can stimulate blood flow to the hair roots, and Peppermint to rejuvenate the hair follicles.
You can try steeping any of the above herbs in hot water, before cooling and straining, to which you add your vinegar. You can also add a few drops of essential oils, if you have them.
Update: 29 June 2020.
I've just read this great article about treating your dog to Apple Cider Vinegar ACV. 15 great uses to try. Treat you dog naturally and gently, there's often no need to shell out for expensive treatments for internal and external treatments. I'm going to try some of these treatments on our Bernie.