Easy-to-Make Recipes for Natural Shampoo
If you aren't happy with the way your hair feels after washing with regular shampoos, then you may be interested in some easy-to-make recipes for natural shampoos that you can make at home. Drug store shampoos are made with drying alcohol and unhealthy sulfates. Plus most of them have extensive lists of ingredients that you would need a degree in chemistry to identify. You do not want to mess up your beautiful hair with a bunch of chemicals, and some of these ingredients are not even safe for the environment once you wash them down your drain. Experiment at home with all natural shampoo and you should see a difference in the softness and manageability of your locks within just a couple of weeks. Besides being good for your hair, all natural shampoo is fun to make and much cheaper than store bought brands.
Ingredients
- 1 cup spring water
- 2 tablespoons dried herbs or 1/4 cup fresh herbs of your choice
- 1/3 cup liquid castile soap, available at health food stores or online
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil
- Approximately 25 drops essential oil of your choice
- 1 tablespoon natural additive of your choice
Begin by boiling your spring water in a glass saucepan. As soon as the water reaches a rolling boil, remove it from the heat and steep your herbs for 20 minutes. Strain and discard the plant material and allow the water to cool completely. Once the water is cool, stir in the liquid castile soap. Stir in the coconut oil, essential oil, and any additives you want to mix in. Transfer your shampoo to a plastic bottle with an air tight lid. Old, empty shampoo bottles are great for storing your new, natural shampoo. Keep your shampoo stored in your shower, but be sure to shake it and mix it up well before every use. This type of shampoo will not produce much lather, but it will clean your hair and make it soft, shiny, and manageable.
If you have normal hair, you can add lavender or rosemary to soften it, sage to condition it, or horsetail to strengthen it. Parsley, myrrh, comfrey, burdock root, and calendula will all add moisture to dry hair. You can increase the speed your hair grows at by adding basil or peppermint. Raspberry leaves, lemon balm, and yarrow will all reduce oil.
Beer will add volume to any type of hair, while aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, and vitamin E oil will all soothe and moisturize dry locks. If you have very oily hair, add lemon juice, white vinegar, grapefruit juice, or apple cider vinegar to your shampoo. Once you get the hang of making your own natural shampoo, you can begin to experiment with all sorts of combinations of herbs and additives based upon your specific hair type. Choose an essential oil that you love the scent of. Depending upon the essential oil you choose, you may need a little bit more or less than the recommended 25 drops.
