Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!

**eaglefeather71** · January 16th, 2009, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Heidi_234

That's an interesting observation. Though I can't say the same, I damped the shampoo quite long time ago, and my hair is as dry as always. But you've got a point, clarifying does dries hair out horribly.
Hibiscus can stain, can't it? From red to purple depending on the tap water's pH.
What do you pre-oil with? Special mix or just plain oil-of-choice?

I stopped using Shampoo a long time ago too, but the things I have used (poo bars, no-poo, egg, soap, etc) all are more on the alkaline side, but I think its amazing and intruiging that natures cleansers are on the acidic side.

Hibiscus has never stained my hair. I have actually tried to stain with it and as long as it was rinsed out it never stained. But if your hair is light, I would be careful and maybe do a test first.

I currently pre-oil with Vatika Coconut Hair Oil or Jasmine Hair Oil, but before I purchased those I was using EVOO or Coconut Oil for Heavy Oilings, and Jojoba for the light leave in after oiling. I think experimentation is definetly in order with oils because hair can be very finicky when it comes to oils.

**almudena** · January 16th, 2009, 06:35 AM

I love herbal washes

My recipe is very simple: 2 tbsps of shikakai, 3 tbsps of amla, hot water, let sit the paste for a few minutes, put the bowl in the tub, bend over, apply the paste in my scalp and mix the leftovers with conditioner, applying them in my length. Let sit in my head for about 15-30 minutes, jump into the shower and rinse. Sometimes I do an ACV rinse, sometimes no.
The thing I love the most about this method is, not only how great it leaves my hair

but its simplicity. And all the water I save in tthe rinsing process! Just one rinse (2 if I use ACV). No conditioner, wait, rinse, shampoo, rinse, conditioner, wait, rinse.

In my last wash, I only had 1 tbsp of amla and used cassia instead. Great results too.

**mellie** · January 16th, 2009, 06:38 AM

Almudena, I have always admired the beauty of your hair! :-)

**eaglefeather71** · January 16th, 2009, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by almudena

I love herbal washes

My recipe is very simple: 2 tbsps of shikakai, 3 tbsps of amla, hot water, let sit the paste for a few minutes, put the bowl in the tub, bend over, apply the paste in my scalp and mix the leftovers with conditioner, applying them in my length. Let sit in my head for about 15-30 minutes, jump into the shower and rinse. Sometimes I do an ACV rinse, sometimes no.
The thing I love the most about this method is, not only how great it leaves my hair

but its simplicity. And all the water I save in tthe rinsing process! Just one rinse (2 if I use ACV). No conditioner, wait, rinse, shampoo, rinse, conditioner, wait, rinse.

In my last wash, I only had 1 tbsp of amla and used cassia instead. Great results too.

That sounds great! Are you applying it to dry hair then? When your letting it sit for 15-30 Minutes, do you wrap it or use a shower cap? I wouldn't need the conditioner on my ends like you do, but I like the idea of applying, letting it sit, and then jumping in the shower. That way I'm not letting the water run forever while waiting, or not waiting long enough because I'm being worried about the water waste.

**mellie** · January 16th, 2009, 07:35 AM

That's true, I hate to waste water too!

I don't think I could use powders in our house (sneezing issues) but I've been wanting to try whole shikakai and amla. I found whole amla on Amazon.com but can't find whole shikakai in the US.

**lahondas** · January 16th, 2009, 08:50 AM

https://www.spicesofindia.co.uk

This site has lots of cheap herbal powders. one of my favorites is kalpi powder.

**lahondas** · January 16th, 2009, 08:50 AM

and that website has whole shakakai and other herbs, in whole!

**Catladyintown** · January 16th, 2009, 01:37 PM

Hi lahondas www.spicesofindia.co.uk does not deliver to the USA.

**eaglefeather71** · January 16th, 2009, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by lahondas

https://www.spicesofindia.co.uk

This site has lots of cheap herbal powders. one of my favorites is kalpi powder.

Thanks so much for the link and the information about them carrying whole herbs. It will be helpful for those of us who are in the UK or europe. I hope we will be able to find someone in the US that sells whole herbs too.

**almudena** · January 16th, 2009, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by eaglefeather71

That sounds great! Are you applying it to dry hair then? When your letting it sit for 15-30 Minutes, do you wrap it or use a shower cap? I wouldn't need the conditioner on my ends like you do, but I like the idea of applying, letting it sit, and then jumping in the shower. That way I'm not letting the water run forever while waiting, or not waiting long enough because I'm being worried about the water waste.

I apply it to dry hair and leave it in unwrapped