Natural conditioner alternative-Catnip!

rymorg2

I think I may have FINALLY found an all natural conditioner alternative that WORKS!

I have been reading on another hair site (that a lot here frequent) about using catnip infusions for conditioner. It also works to soothe the scalp from irritations (and I have dry itchy scalp a lot). So after much reading and much debating I decided to try it.

I've done it twice. The first time the infusion was WAY too strong....I used 3x the catnip I should have. LOL! The recipe is 1 level tsp of catnip in about 275 ml (just over a cup) of water, and I used a tbsp. I didn't realize until afterward though. I could tell a little difference but my ends were a little dry. I put coconut oil on them and they were fine though. I also noticed that time it was hard to detangle when wet. The second time my recipe was correct. OMG-no issues with detangling when wet, my waves were elongated and yet STILL enhanced, and my hair dried so soft!!!


The best part though....catnip also helps strengthen your hair. I've had some breakage issues recently and when I ran my hands through wet the second time I didn't get HALF the breakage as before. So it's working but I'm still reserving my final opinion after a few weeks.

I'm very excited though.....

kathymack

I had originally read about this on one of the shampoo threads back in September. Bought the catnip when I was buying cat food--and didn't make the infusion. Rymorg2 pm'ed me about her success, so I tried it this morning. Rymorg2 is a hairdresser and cautioned about it being used on the other forum to color blond. Since I'm getting highlighted later today, I wanted to try before and not after.

I did the infusion yesterday and put it on my hair this morning. Sat with it on for an hour. I rinsed it out. Did my KBB hair milk rinse out and styled. (I do style before going for haircut/highlight. I like my stylist to see what my hair is doing, so he can work with it.) It felt and looked great out of the shower. I'm still waiting for it to dry.

Here's the LHC thread, for anyone who has a lot of time. I read the first four pages in Sept, LOL!

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=476

I remember reading that catnip is acidic, people used it as a rinse after shampoo bars--but still did lemon rinse. We need to investigate this further.

rymorg2

Glad you tried it KathyMack.....I'd love to see how it does with your hair long term.

That thread is HUGE....I sifted through it all....and posted towards the end about my own experiences with it.

As for acidity, catnip tea is a little acidic but most would still need a more acidic rinse after their shampoo bars. But it's worth a try.

misspam

rymorg2 - Just wanted to pop in and say "Hi". Haven't seen you post lately and it's good to see you back. :toothy4:

rymorg2

misspam wrote: »

rymorg2 - Just wanted to pop in and say "Hi". Haven't seen you post lately and it's good to see you back. :toothy4:

Why thank you misspam....:hello2: I've been around but mostly reading....work was BUSY for about a month and a half and I didn't have as much time on my hands. This week? I'm on VACATION so I have plenty of time. LOL....but work has also slowed down so I should be able to work some time in occasionally again.

chrystal2277

This is my first post to this site, although I have been lurking here for months:toothy4: I just had to chime in and share my recent experience with catnip. Quite a few months ago I switched over to (mainly) all natural hair care. I have been using a bar soap, Dr. B's citrus rinse, and Dr. B's leave in and I have to say I have really love what is have done for enhancing my natural texture, but I have been having a problem with tangles(aka slip). It took a long while to get through my hair so I broke down and tried a cone conditioner.....Bye, Bye curls, hello familiar "waves". It was like an instant curl killer...So, anyway...I have been looking for a natural alternative to comercial "conditioners" . When I came across that very looong catnip thread I just had to try it. Holy Cow! I haven't been able to comb through my hair that well in months. It made a big difference with slip and did leave my hair soft, shiney, and I did not notice a big difference in my curls except I seemed to have less "crunch". I would definately recomend giving it a try, so far I am lovin it!:thumright:

kathymack

chrystal, how are you doing your catnip infusion--or I should say when? Are you using it like a rinse out, leave in???? Also, how often.

I did it today, as per rymorg2. I put it in my hair, left it in an hour, rinsed it out, etc. (I wrote it earlier in thread.) My hair dried fine--pretty tight curls. I thought it was a little greasy. Got the haircut/highlight--my hair was too dry to style, so I came home and rewet it. I have to say, it was incredible soft. It's not quite dry, but it's going to be frizzy--I can tell already.

eche428

I did this today and I really like the results. I did my co-wash, rinsed then ran the catnip tea through my hair roots to tip and let it sit for about 5 minutes. I then rinsed and scrunched in curl cream and FSG. My hair is so soft and shiny. The curls are not as tight as they normally are but I didn't use as much FSG as usual. I really like this and will add it to my routine for the next week or so to see what it does over time. The great thing was I didn't need to use a leave-in because it felt so good after the catnip.

Thanks!!!

rymorg2

chrystal2277 wrote: »

This is my first post to this site, although I have been lurking here for months:toothy4: I just had to chime in and share my recent experience with catnip. Quite a few months ago I switched over to (mainly) all natural hair care. I have been using a bar soap, Dr. B's citrus rinse, and Dr. B's leave in and I have to say I have really love what is have done for enhancing my natural texture, but I have been having a problem with tangles(aka slip). It took a long while to get through my hair so I broke down and tried a cone conditioner.....Bye, Bye curls, hello familiar "waves". It was like an instant curl killer...So, anyway...I have been looking for a natural alternative to comercial "conditioners" . When I came across that very looong catnip thread I just had to try it. Holy Cow! I haven't been able to comb through my hair that well in months. It made a big difference with slip and did leave my hair soft, shiney, and I did not notice a big difference in my curls except I seemed to have less "crunch". I would definately recomend giving it a try, so far I am lovin it!:thumright:

Glad to hear you're loving it as much as I am! I'm doing my catnip treatment as we speak LOL....

rymorg2

eche428 wrote: »

I did this today and I really like the results. I did my co-wash, rinsed then ran the catnip tea through my hair roots to tip and let it sit for about 5 minutes. I then rinsed and scrunched in curl cream and FSG. My hair is so soft and shiny. The curls are not as tight as they normally are but I didn't use as much FSG as usual. I really like this and will add it to my routine for the next week or so to see what it does over time. The great thing was I didn't need to use a leave-in because it felt so good after the catnip.

Thanks!!!

Hi Beth! That's great! Keep in mind that most people have trouble using catnip with regular conditioners though, even natural ones. It doesn't like the residue left from them. Some have had luck using it as a CO itself though, so that's an option too....I just haven't tried it yet.

eche428

rymorg2 wrote: »

eche428 wrote: »

I did this today and I really like the results. I did my co-wash, rinsed then ran the catnip tea through my hair roots to tip and let it sit for about 5 minutes. I then rinsed and scrunched in curl cream and FSG. My hair is so soft and shiny. The curls are not as tight as they normally are but I didn't use as much FSG as usual. I really like this and will add it to my routine for the next week or so to see what it does over time. The great thing was I didn't need to use a leave-in because it felt so good after the catnip.

Thanks!!!

Hi Beth! That's great! Keep in mind that most people have trouble using catnip with regular conditioners though, even natural ones. It doesn't like the residue left from them. Some have had luck using it as a CO itself though, so that's an option too....I just haven't tried it yet.

So sorry if I'm being dense but are you saying that I might have problems with this when co-washing? I should switch back to shampoo bars? I still have a couple from kathymac but had quit them because I got tired of having to do an ACV rinse every time I washed. I have to wash everyday as I've only gotten second day hair twice.

rymorg2

eche428 wrote: »

rymorg2 wrote: »

eche428 wrote: »

I did this today and I really like the results. I did my co-wash, rinsed then ran the catnip tea through my hair roots to tip and let it sit for about 5 minutes. I then rinsed and scrunched in curl cream and FSG. My hair is so soft and shiny. The curls are not as tight as they normally are but I didn't use as much FSG as usual. I really like this and will add it to my routine for the next week or so to see what it does over time. The great thing was I didn't need to use a leave-in because it felt so good after the catnip.

Thanks!!!

Hi Beth! That's great! Keep in mind that most people have trouble using catnip with regular conditioners though, even natural ones. It doesn't like the residue left from them. Some have had luck using it as a CO itself though, so that's an option too....I just haven't tried it yet.

So sorry if I'm being dense but are you saying that I might have problems with this when co-washing? I should switch back to shampoo bars? I still have a couple from kathymac but had quit them because I got tired of having to do an ACV rinse every time I washed. I have to wash everyday as I've only gotten second day hair twice.

You may. There's residue left by conditioners that the catnip doesn't like. You could end up with crunchy ends. Shampoo bars would work, I use my DW with it with no problems, people have even used regular Poo with no issues either, as long as it doesn't have fatty alcohols in it like cetyl alcohol. Fwiw, when I do shampoo bars I don't have to vinegar rinse every time. Every other day to 2 times a week does it for me. It's a thought.

Also, I used to have to wash daily and now I don't but I wear my hair up daily now (so not looking for wave enhancement most of the time) anyway.

eche428

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll have to try the bars again with this new routine and see what that's like. Oh, these curls, it is an endless experiment isn't it? LOL

rymorg2

eche428 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll have to try the bars again with this new routine and see what that's like. Oh, these curls, it is an endless experiment isn't it? LOL

Absolutely it's endless......but I do it anyway. YW btw.

kathymack

eche428 wrote: »

So sorry if I'm being dense but are you saying that I might have problems with this when co-washing? I should switch back to shampoo bars? I still have a couple from kathymac but had quit them because I got tired of having to do an ACV rinse every time I washed. I have to wash everyday as I've only gotten second day hair twice.

I wet my hair every day--don't get second day hair that meets my criteria. I only use a bar every third day. Do you need to wash every day? If you're using CG products, they should just rinse out.

eche428

kathymack wrote: »

eche428 wrote: »

So sorry if I'm being dense but are you saying that I might have problems with this when co-washing? I should switch back to shampoo bars? I still have a couple from kathymac but had quit them because I got tired of having to do an ACV rinse every time I washed. I have to wash everyday as I've only gotten second day hair twice.

I wet my hair every day--don't get second day hair that meets my criteria. I only use a bar every third day. Do you need to wash every day? If you're using CG products, they should just rinse out.

All my products are CG. As far as washing everyday I suppose I don't "have" to wash everyday, it just feels better to wash. I'll try to cut it back to every other or three days and see what happens. When you wet only do you water wash or just wet?

kathymack

eche428 wrote: »

All my products are CG. As far as washing everyday I suppose I don't "have" to wash everyday, it just feels better to wash. I'll try to cut it back to every other or three days and see what happens. When you wet only do you water wash or just wet?

I just wet and put on rinse out. To not guano the thread, LOL, I'll add that I just made two cups of the catnip infusion. Tomorrow, I think I will wet and use the catnip infusion as my rinse out. If it works, I will keep doing it.

I get my hair cut every six weeks--or so. When I went yesterday, my stylist (and I) couldn't believe how much it had grown since my last cut (six weeks tomorrow.) We knew we weren't imagining it--the highlights had really grown out! The fact that it's growing so much during the winter has to be because of all the healthy things I'm doing. It also makes me think that I won't have a problem with the catnip infusion not like conditioner residue on my ends. While I do use rinse out and leave in products, my hair isn't very porous and it's cut frequently--unlike the ladies whose pictures I've seen on the LHC.

I'm planning to wade through the 17 pages on catnip, at some point.

eche428

Thanks, kathymac. We posted at thesame time. I added another question to the bottom of my post #16. Maybe I should post that in a separate thread?

I think I will now. Thanks again.

mpgirl

I tried the infusion today. I did not wash, but since I was just coming off of my hair detox, I had no conditioner in my hair.

I only left it in for 5 minutes or so. I'm not sure how it affected my hair after it dried. I haven't had any product in my hair for 7 days so I couldn't really tell. I'm a little "product happy" right now.:toothy6: It did NOT act as a detangler though.

I am brewing more right now. I think I will use it tomorrow after a wash with my DW and leave it in longer. We shall see.

kathymack

mpgirl wrote: »

I tried the infusion today. I did not wash, but since I was just coming off of my hair detox, I had no conditioner in my hair.

I only left it in for 5 minutes or so. I'm not sure how it affected my hair after it dried. I haven't had any product in my hair for 7 days so I couldn't really tell. I'm a little "product happy" right now.:toothy6: It did NOT act as a detangler though.

I am brewing more right now. I think I will use it tomorrow after a wash with my DW and leave it in longer. We shall see.

When I did it yesterday, I left it in an hour! I only read the first four pages of the LHC thread and some do it with heat. Don't know if that is of interest. My hair doesn't tangle, unless I use DW (I think it's the goats milk) or a product with castor oil. I had highlights yesterday. My hair was and is incredible soft despite the chemical process--and no conditioner yesterday. I suspect that it's the catnip.

mpgirl

I think I got to page 16 LOL! My hair is extremely tangled without product that creates slip. For a week, while I detoxed, I learned to just blot my hair, scrunch in a little FSG and go. I can't run my fingers through my hair without SOMETHING to create slip.:(

I wanted to try to find something that would condition and detangle that was natural, hence the catnip, but I'm not sure it's possible. I think my hair is just that much more coarse than your, KM.

But we'll see what happens when I leave it in my hair for longer and after a wash. I'll update tomorrow.

rymorg2

From my understanding of the LHC thread and catnip, the longer you leave it on the better it works. I've left mine on at least an hour each time. And it works better if you bag your hair too....body heat does wonders.

mpgirl

rymorg2 wrote: »

From my understanding of the LHC thread and catnip, the longer you leave it on the better it works. I've left mine on at least an hour each time. And it works better if you bag your hair too....body heat does wonders.

Yeah, I know. That's why I am going to use it tomorrow after a wash. I just couldn't wait to see if it would do anything!:toothy6:

Curly Girl Fla

I read through that LHC thread ages ago, and I really wanted to try it. But I've had such success with the ayurvedic herbs to cleanse and condition, that I'm going to leave well enough alone for now. Thanks for sharing your processes--and re-stimulating my catnip interest so that I will most likely pick some up at my next health food store visit if I remember-I can always give it to my cats if it doesn't work for me, lol!

kathymack

CGF, I haven't gotten through the whole thread, but the catnip from the pet store is supposed to be better--fresher. It's pretty easy, too. Very different then the Ayurvedic herbs. I did the one hour treatment on Wednesday, before going to get a haircut/highlight. My hair was a little greasy, but after the chemical process and a [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/DevaCurl-No-Poo-p-53.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=devacurl-devacurl-nopoo]Deva nopoo[/buylink] at the salon--it was so soft. It continued that way yesterday.

I made more of the infusion last night. Used it as my rinse out today. My hair is continues to be incredibly soft. It's not a good day for hair around here--I checked and the dewpoint is minus 9 degrees! Pulls the curl right out of my hair!

mpgirl

The jury is still out for me. I used the infusion after a wash this morning with my DW. Sat in my heat cap for 1 hour. Hopped back into the shower and rinsed it out. Not the worse tangles ever, but I could not run my fingers smoothly through my hair. Applied some of the DM curly jelly. Never used it before, so I raked through about a dime's size of product each for the sides, back and top, blotted a little with my curl-ease and it's still air drying.

I have surface frizz and the sides are just a little crunchy and almost dry but the back is still pretty damp. I'm really not sure what I am looking for. Everyone seems to get detangling effects from this. That has definitely NOT been my experience so far.:angry3:

I was hoping for a more natural/organic option for detangling and conditioning. My hair may need more moisture to accomplish this.

kathymack

Did the catnip again today. I used my microwave heat cap and kept it on an hour or so. I didn't have to poo (bar) today, so I used the Ayurvedic herb infusion to rinse some of the oil out. It leaves my hair incredibly soft and adds more warmth to my highlights, covers gray, etc. I think I'll do it at least once a week.

chrystal2277

kathymack wrote: »

chrystal, how are you doing your catnip infusion--or I should say when? Are you using it like a rinse out, leave in???? Also, how often.

I did it today, as per rymorg2. I put it in my hair, left it in an hour, rinsed it out, etc. (I wrote it earlier in thread.) My hair dried fine--pretty tight curls. I thought it was a little greasy. Got the haircut/highlight--my hair was too dry to style, so I came home and rewet it. I have to say, it was incredible soft. It's not quite dry, but it's going to be frizzy--I can tell already.

Sorry it has taken this long to reply kathymack. I use 1 tsp catnip in 275ml water. I wash with bar soap, rinse with citrus rinse, and then pour catnip infusion over hair. I pin it up and finish showerly duties, then rinse. I don't think I have had it on for longer than 10 minutes at a time. Completely replaces conditioner for me. I only do this (wash, ect) routine 2 times a week, and I am planning on trying the bag and leave it for an hour, and see if it makes a difference. I will let ya know what my results are.

ljh34

Serious question, but also silly. I have a cat. Is he going to start rubbing my head if I do catnip rinses? He loves his 'nip...

beeduh

This sounds interesting. I'm still at a loss though, what exactly do you do? Brew catnip and pour it on your head? Do you do this after you clean/rinse your hair out?

hiplengthcurls

I started hearing about catnip earlier this year when my hair suddenly broke out in split ends and breakage everywhere. My worst nightmare! I have long hair, was going to grow it longer again, and fell vulnerable to lots of advice.

I have talked to Ktani quite a bit about catnip, and it is definitely not sounding like you can get the same results she has if you use conditioners and hair products that build up. Also, avoiding shampoo is not going to help catnip work.


Since all I want right now is for my hair to be in good health, I decided to give up product junkyism and commit to shampoo, catnip and mineral oil. I don't know how it is going to work but so far I do have far fewer split ends (hoping for none soon!), even fewer midshaft splits and breakage. The best thing of all is that I do not moisturize my hair anymore to get those results and therefore my hair is not weighed down, I get all my volume.


I could probably have better formed curls but I like to finger out my curls daily because I am not there yet with the tangling issue, and also, I like the volume from fluffing my curls out. Personal preference, long hair is less volume! I only finger detangle exclusively now, also why my hair is quite low on splits now.