Perhaps the most challenging aspects of mixing up a batch of herbal shampoo are locating the ingredients and selecting a combination of herbs. You might want to experiment with different herb combinations until you arrive at a formula suited to your hair and your preferences. Choose one or more herbs based on your particular needs: marjoram for softness, raspberry or nettle for shine, birch bark or peppermint for dandruff, elder flowers or orange blossoms for dry hair, dandelion or clover for normal hair, and strawberry leaf, watercress or lemon grass for oily hair. Use an essential that complements your herb selections.
Step 1
Wash the herbs if they are fresh. Place either fresh or dried herbs in a 10-oz. jar.
Step 2
Bring 1 cup of spring water to a boil and pour it over the herbs. Screw on the lid and allow the herbs to steep for about 20 minutes.
Step 3
Strain the water into a bowl, removing the herbs. Add liquid castile soap and the apricot kernel or almond oil. Mix well. Add the essential oil and mix it in.
Step 4
Pour your herbal shampoo into an empty shampoo bottle.
Tips and Warnings
- Shampoos made with herbal products have a shorter shelf life, so it's not advisable to mix up large batches unless you're sharing the shampoo.
- Renee's Garden advises not to use copper, aluminum or Teflon items when preparing herbal shampoo because the chemical properties in these products could negatively affect your finished product.
Things You'll Need
- 1 cup spring water
- ¼ cup fresh herbs or 2 tbsp. dried herbs
- 2 tbsp. liquid castile soap
- 1 tsp. apricot kernel or almond oil
- 2 drops of essential oil
- 10-oz. jar with lid
- Strainer
- Mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Clean shampoo bottle
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