Herbal Hair Conditioner Recipe
This is the "Flowers in Your Hair" conditioner. It was originally developed by noted herbalist Kathi Keville. I've noted below where I've changed the recipe. This is a leave-in conditioner, don't rinse it out.
You will need a large, covered, enamel or glass (Corningwear) pan. NOT plain metal.
ETA: All herbs are dried.
1 gallon mountain spring water, filtered rain water, or distilled water
1/2 oz dried burdock root
1/2 oz wild cherry bark
1/2 oz comfrey root
1/2 oz myrrh gum powder
Simmer the above ingredients, covered, over low heat for 45 minutes.
1 oz dried chamomile flowers
1 oz lavender flowers
1 oz rosemary
1 oz calendula flowers
1 oz lemon grass
1 oz nettles
Add these to the simmering pot. Turn it down as low as possible, cover and cook for another 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and let it steep for 20 minutes or more.
Have enough clean (sterilized) bottles with tight-fitting corks to hold the conditioner, usually a little less than 4 quarts. I prefer to have more smaller bottles, so it stays fresher after opening, rather than fewer larger bottles.
Strain the mixture into another clean bowl to remove the herbs. A large coffee strainer, lined with cheesecloth, has worked well for me.
Add 1 teaspoon agar-agar powder (or 1 tablespoon agar-agar flakes). The next time I make this recipe, I am going to leave this out. It makes the mixture thicker, more like a commercial conditioner. And it lends the hair a bit of style-holding ability. But, I prefer a thinner formula, and I don't need the style-holding.
Also add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar for each quart of herbal tea. The next time I make it, I am going to use white vinegar, because the acv has solids that make the roots of my hair appear greasy.
If you have added the agar-agar, bring to a boil and cook for three minutes. (No need to do this if you are leaving the agar-agar out.)
Pour the finished hair rinse into the prepared bottles. A funnel can help with this part. Let it cool. If you used the agar-agar, it will sort of gel (like jello) as it cools.
Melt some parafin and dip the tightly corked bottles upside down, to make a really good seal. Once the seal is broken, it's best to store the conditioner in the refrigerator when not in use (since there are no preservatives).
I store unopened bottles in a cool, dark place.
This conditioner has a garden-y smell. Kind of flowery, kind of earthy. Certainly not unpleasant, but not like commercial conditioners, either. If you wanted to modify the fragrance some, add a bit of essential oil as you bottle it. You might try different EO's in different small bottles, to see which you like best. I've never tried to change the smell - I like it just the way it is.
One palmful is probably enough for shoulder-length or shorter hair. Use more on longer or thick hair. For maximum benefit, do not rinse out.
i'm gonna try that!
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