How to make your own natural, nourishing shampoo

Are you getting tired of paying $7 and up for good shampoo without additives or chemicals? You're not slave to the beauty industry - humans have been making their own products for thousands of years, and you could do it all in your home, and make something MORE natural, and MORE nourishing and suitable for your hair! (want to make conditioner? check out my other articles)

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Plain or scented castile soap (you can find at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods)
• Fresh herbs
• 1 empty 8oz plastic bottle, or any empty shampoo or soap bottle

1. You can use liquid castile soap (4oz) or a bar of castile soap. If it is a bar, grate about 4oz with a cheese grater. Remember, 4oz = 1/2c.
   
   Gather 1/2oz each of your herbs (pick 4). Here is a list of some basic herbs, and what they can do:
   -chamomile (relaxes, promotes healthy hair growth)
   -lavender (controls oil production, reduces itchy/flaky scalp)
   -sage (good 4 weak hair, has antioxidants)
   -nettle (contains nutrients 4 hair growth, rich in minerals, softens hair)
   -yarrow (used to stimulate and tone, astringent effect)
   -rosemary (enhances dark hair, stimulates hair follicles)
   -thyme (stimulates hair growth)
   -calendula (reduces oil, anti-inflammatory)
   -horsetail (rich in minerals)
   -basil (good to cleanse and tone scalp)
2. Once you have the castile soap, and 1/2oz. of 4 different kinds of herbs, you might want to use a few drops (5-6) of essential oil, for the smell/benefits. Here are some good ideas:
   
   -ylang ylang (sebum production for dry/oily skin)
   -lavendar
   -geranium
   -bergamot
   -rose
   -apricot
   -tea tree (for styling buildup, scalp flakes)
   -vetiver
   -jasmine
   -violet
3. Now, how to make your shampoo!
   
   Mix the herbs in a jar with a lid. Boil 2 cups of distilled water. Add 3 tablespoons of the mixed herbs into the boiling water. Pull the boiling water and herbs off the stove. Let the herb mixture sit for 30 – 40 minutes, then strain the herbal mixture into a bowl.
   
   Pour/put in the 4 oz of castile soap into the plastic bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to mix the ingredients.
   
   The shampoo is now finished and ready for use. Use this as a base for all of the shampoos you make. You can add different herbs as you learn what these herbs do and how they help your hair. You can vary the ingredients according to your taste. But now you have a shampoo that has no additives that can harm you.

Tips & Warnings

• With making your own products, there is a learning curve. But after awhile, you'll know what works on your hair, and what doesn't. And think of all the $ you will save!
• Be sure to not use the same exact herbs every time. Your hair gets used to the same nutrients and stops reacting to them after awhile. So what used to moisturize your hair, might not after awhile keep on moisturizing. So vary the herbs once in awhile.