Making shampoo is not really any more complicated than brewing a cup of tea - all you have to do in preparation is to make sure that you have the following items available:
- Distilled water
- Castile soap
- Herbs of your choice
- Glass bowl
- Strainer
- Spray bottle
The Basic Ingredient of Natural Shampoo: Castile Soap
This soap is said to have originated in the Kingdom of Castile, a region now known as Spain. It was originally made purely with olive oil, but today there are many varieties including hemp, jojoba, almond, walnut, avocado and coconut.
Common for all castile soaps is that they are based on vegetable oils only, as supposed to most “other” soaps that are generally based on oils and fats of animal origin.
Castile soaps are very gentle on the skin and suitable for those with sensitive skin and those who want to avoid synthetic chemicals often found in shampoos and at the same time be more environmentally friendly.
Castile soap is available in most natural health stores.
Herbs for Different Hair Types
Certain herbs are better for certain hair types, but many herbs are good for many different hairs, so experimenting with different recipes is recommended. Crush the herbs if you are using them fresh and also be aware that they are stronger than their dried counterparts.
Herbal Shampoo for Normal Hair
- Horsetail
- Red clover
- Chamomile
- Marigold (for blondes, as it can be used as hair lightener)
- Lavender flowers
- Rosemary
Herbal Shampoo for Dry Hair
- Comfrey root or leaf
- Red clover
- Orange flowers
- Lavender flowers
- Elder flowers
- Chamomile flowers
- Marigold
- Jojoba oil
Herbal Shampoo for Oily Hair
- Nettle leaves
- Rosemary leaves
- Peppermint leaves
- Burdock leaves
- Tea tree leaves
- Orris root
- Lemongrass
Herbal Dandruff Shampoo
- Nettle
- Comfrey leaves
- Birch
- White willow barks
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
Herbal Shampoo for Very Curly Hair
- Nettle leaves
- Rosemary leaves
- Sage
- Lavender flowers
- Indigo root
- Comfrey leaves
- Jojoba oil
Herbal Shampoo to Treat Hair Loss
- Rosemary leaves
- Lavender flowers
- Tea tree leaves
- Sage
- Nettle
- Basil
How to Make Your Shampoo
Bring distilled water to the boil and pour over your herbs which are in the strainer on top of the glass bowl. Leave the herbs to steep for half an hour or so. Let the water cool before adding it to the spray bottle, in which you will have added the castile soap. Use one part castile soap to seven parts water, or according to manufacturer guidelines. Mix the solution by shaking the bottle lightly.
You will notice that the shampoo is much more watery than ordinary shampoos, which is why a spray bottle is preferable to use – it will make application easier. Store the shampoo in a cool and dark area if possible, since it does not contain any preservatives. For this reason, to keep the shampoo fresh, it is healthier to make smaller batches more often.
Annika Lindorsson Krugel - Hi, my name is Annika. I am Swedish by birth but have spent most my adult life traveling, working and living in different countries around ...
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