Homemade Shampoo - Useful Recipes and Ingredients

Do you wish to make your own homemade shampoo?

A lot has been said about nutrition in the past few decades, including the use of preservatives and chemicals in our foods. Recently, it has become increasingly evident this pertains to products created for the outside of us as well as for the inside. This is especially true of the products we put on our hair.

It has long been known that chemicals have as much of an adverse effect on the condition of our hair as certain foods do. For this reason, more people have begun to join the pioneers in making their own shampoos and conditioners. Truth be known, it does take a small amount of effort, but is not hard at all.

A good basic homemade shampoo recipe consists of equal amounts - 1/4 cup, of distilled water and liquid castile soap, and 1/2 teaspoon oil (this can be light vegetable or another oil, such as grape seed or jojoba). Mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight bottle. You will have to shake before each use, and remember this mixture is not as thick as store bought, nor does it lather the same. As far as cleaning power goes, though, it cannot be beat.

Another good homemade shampoo is one made with soapwart, which is good for all types of hair. This is a good shampoo to mix up when you would like to use an herb to help the condition of your hair - catnip, for instance, which promotes hair growth. If you simply want a nice fragrance, try lemon verbena. This basic recipe calls for 2 cups distilled water and 1-1/2 tablespoons dried and chopped soapwart (available in many health food stores). Use 2 teaspoons of herb of choice.

With this homemade shampoo recipe, the soapwart and water will need to be brought to boil, covered, and simmered for about twenty minutes. Once it has been removed from heat, the herb can be added and then the mixture cooled. Before storing the shampoo in a clean bottle, strain. This recipe makes enough mixture for about a half dozen shampooing. It needs to be stored in a cool, dark place.

Another good homemade shampoo that utilizes the healing properties of herbs is once again made with a basic recipe consisting of castile soap (can be plain or scented - eucalyptus, peppermint) and two cups of distilled water.

In a mason jar with a good fitting lid, mix 1/2 ounce of each: rosemary (to stimulate hair follicles and to help prevent premature baldness), sage (an antioxidant that helps the ingredients from spoiling, and an antibacterial), nettles (contains necessary nutrients for hair growth), and lavender (to help control production of sebaceous gland oils for reduced flaking and itching). Close lid and shake well.

To prepare, boil the water and add three heaping tablespoons of the mixed herbs; stir and remove from heat and allow to sit thirty to forty minutes. Add 200mg MSM (to provide organic sulfur to the scalp for health and strength to hair, and to help scalp absorb herbs) at this point and allow to sit another thirty to forty minutes. Once MSM has melted, stir and strain the herbal mixture into a clean bowl.

Into an eight ounce plastic bottle, combine two and a half ounces of the herbal mixture and four ounces of the castile soap. Shake well, and your homemade shampoo is ready to use.

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