Making Herbal Shampoo

[bluelacedredhead]

I know there's been mention on here about soap making. But what about making herbal shampoo?

[werecat]

I know there's been mention on here about soap making. But what about making herbal shampoo?

Whoo hoo! I can help with this one! Ok, making shampoos and liquid soaps from scratch is a huge honking pain in the butt! you don't you lye (sodium hydroxide) you have to use something else. Technical name I think is Potassium Hydroxide and it is much more touchy to work with than lye as I understand it. What most people I know do is make up shampoo from concentrates (www.soapcrafters.com has an awesome super soap concentrate that you can use to make everything from bubble bath on up to shampoo depending on the water to concentrate ratio an other ingredients you add) or just purchase a ready made base (www.thesage.com is a good source for those or www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com is another one). With the concentrates instead of distilled water you would use a strong infusion of herbs. Make it in small batches so its always fresh. With the ready made ones they tell you to warm them to make them easier to blend in scent and pour. Those you can just put the herbs in a heat and seal teabag and put the teabag and the shampoo in a small crock pot on very low and let it go till the sent is nice and fragrant. Pull the teabag out and then pour in a bottle. :) Or if you can get and afford essential ois, you can use those. Just make sure they are reall 100% essential oils. Some of the cheaper ones cut the essential oils with a synthetic oil that people can be allergic to.

Hope that helps.

Lisa

[bluelacedredhead]

Thanks Lisa,
Those are great links! And your description of the process doesn't sound that difficult at all.

[dirtundernails]

Yucca root was used by Native American Indians for shampoo (fresh or dried). Also the flowers, but those are harder to have fresh. Saponaria plants were used by Pioneers for shampoo. It is a strong detergent, good for clothes, too. It's also known as Mediteranean Pinks (this is a trailing variety), Boucing Bet and Soapwort. I'm growing both of these at home for those purposes.

dun

[bluelacedredhead]

DUN, this sounds fascinating. Pleez tell me more. Like, how do you turn a plant into soap powder? Dried and ground??
That sort of info..
Thx,

[dirtundernails]

Fresh or dried. Fresh plant and root need to be macerated (smashed up and possibly add water to make lather). Dried will act the same, but I plan on making a fabric teabag type of thing to make lather with dried. I don't have any experience yet, only small amounts of info. I love to experiment, and love old-time ways, so I try out everything possible. My plans include lavender and other fragrant herbs as additions, as the soap plants have no odor. I do know that some stuff will stain, so will experiment first with just the fragrant herbs.

dun

[bluelacedredhead]

Good luck with the experimentation. I'll look forward to hearing about the outcome.
And unlike the synthetic "mountain fresh" fragrances of the commercially produced laundry soaps, yours will truly be (Ozark) Mtn Fresh :D

[chubbyduckie]

What an interesting thread!! I have access to lots of yucca plants, but no knowledge of what to do to make things. Could you just dry the root and add water for shampoo??
You can tell I don't know much about this, though I'd like to learn these things.

[dirtundernails]

Sorry, we step out the door to smell the wonderful fresh Dairy Aire. MOOOOO The reason for fragrant additions, as I dry my laundry on the line.


Chubbieduckie, as I read it, dried should work. I transplanted two tiny yuccas, and did dry some root, but haven't tried it yet. I will, and let you know. I did try fresh root. Nice as shampoo. Seemed to need a lot of root for lather, and had grit in it, too, so I'm looking forward to saponaria, using aerial parts. Roots can be used, also, on saponaria.


dun

[donsgal]

I know there's been mention on here about soap making. But what about making herbal shampoo?

Go to http://www.thechemistrystore.com and click on "Personal Care and Soapmaking Supplies" on the Nav Menu. Look for "shampoo concentrates" and scroll down to the bottom of the page. $17 a gallon. Mix a little essential oils for the right herbal smell and it's all yours.

donsgal

[bluelacedredhead]

Here's another that could use some updating since I'm assuming that DUN has had an opportunity in the past year and a half to experiment with the Soapwort??

I've added it to a Richter's order and then removed it from the page at least 3 times....Need some feedback Pleez.

[lovetogarden]

I have grown soapwort for a few years now and can tell you a bit.
First of all, the soap is very mild. It seems it makes a better face wash than clothes soap. Now a days, about the only regular use for it that I have read is that museums use soapwort to clean their wood furniture.

Any part of the plant can be used. First dig up and clean the roots and leaves. To get a soapy solution, distilled water must be used. Boil the plant and the distilled water for several minutes. I am not sure how long the product can be stored though since any time I have made it the soap was immediately used.

Good luck

[babygarden]

this is sooo good to know, will have to try this.
add to my list of new things to try this year!

[dirtundernails]

I can't get the stuff to grow! phooey...

For the yucca root, my hubby threw away my drying root. I actually just recently got another and it's finally dry. I didn't forget about this thread. I saw someone using fresh yucca root to wash sheep wool in a traditional fashion. They said to use cold water.

[cottagequeen]

DUN, What kind of problems are you having? I have Bouncing bet growing happily, if you'd like to try some cuttings, I'll see about getting you a start. These are fragrant, kind of a grape koolaid fragrance, if I am remembering correctly. I had the rock soapwort, the mediteranian?sp. pinks, but heavy flooding killed them, will be trying to get them started this year in an area that doesn't flood.

[dirtundernails]

Oh, cool! I read that there was no fragrance. Been trying to start them from seed, supposed to be SO easy (on the package). gad... I think I've tried 3 packages worth. I would love to have a start, Denise, thanks!:)

Sent you a private message...

[louanne]

OH THANKS.....laughing..still another herb I have to get.....
next year....has to be next year

[cottagequeen]

Oh, cool! I read that there was no fragrance. Been trying to start them from seed, supposed to be SO easy (on the package). gad... I think I've tried 3 packages worth. I would love to have a start, Denise, thanks!:)

Sent you a private message...

I actually purchased mine from an online co here in OH that specialized in fragrant plants. This guy was great, unfortunately, he chose to close his business in '07. My last order from him, I told him how much I had enjoyed this fragrant abelia that I had purchased a few yrs. back. He sent me a second one in my order absolutely free. I am sure gonna miss his business. He had put it up for sale, I hope someone bought it and will continue the wonderful work he did.

[dirtundernails]

I think the yucca root is more work than it's worth. Ground up dried root just got stuck in my hair, with not much lather. Fresh root has to be pounded in water quite a bit before lathering. In an emergency, it's good knowledge, but I couldn't justify everyday use. Call me lazy.
Tried baking soda wash and apple cider vinegar rinse with better results. No static, which is an issue for me.

[GeorgeSims]

Why does HOD need shampoo?

[dirtundernails]

For his back.

He cares enough to send the hairy beast.

[GeorgeSims]

I'm really glad I didn't come by last summer to watch him sunbathing:eek:

[onmyknees]

i find soapwort growing everywhere along riverbanks on gravelbars usually poor gravelly soil transferred it to the yard here whee it grows not nearly so well in the soil in the flower beds if you have a stream or river nearby check for the plant the blooms are really neat and find the meanest rockiest soil you have and plant it in spring or fall comes back every year

[dirtundernails]

That's the only kind of soil I have here!! Maybe it was too dry.

[cornishwoman]

Jojoba Conditioner ingredients:

1 cup rose floral water
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
10 drops vitamin E oil
How to make the conditoner:


1. In the top of a double boiler, gently warm the rose water.
2. Once rose water is warm, add jojoba oil.
3. For damaged hair or extra conditioning, leave on for several minutes, perhaps while bathing.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
5. Shampoo lightly and rinse again with cool water.

I make this every summer,works good for me,I know you asked for shampoo.:cool:

[cottagequeen]

Jojoba Conditioner ingredients:

1 cup rose floral water
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
10 drops vitamin E oil
How to make the conditoner:


1. In the top of a double boiler, gently warm the rose water.
2. Once rose water is warm, add jojoba oil.
3. For damaged hair or extra conditioning, leave on for several minutes, perhaps while bathing.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
5. Shampoo lightly and rinse again with cool water.

I make this every summer,works good for me,I know you asked for shampoo.:cool:

Neat recipe!
If it ever quits snowing, and warms up, I'll be able to check out my soapwort.

[bluelacedredhead]

CW, This sounds divine! Thanks for the recipe.

I changed my mind about ordering Soapwort seeds after some of the posts here citing difficulties growing it. But yesterday, I got an email from a seed sharing friend just a few hours up the road, who apparently grows soapwort in her garden. I'll be picking her brain now and possibly buying some started plants this spring after I've had a chance to see what she has to say about raising this 'locally'.