Commercial shampoos are relatively modern products---they have only been around since 1934 when Proctor & Gamble created the first detergent-based shampoo. Prior to this, people used shampoos consisting of nothing more than natural soap and a few herbs. Today, a resurgence of interest in natural health has created the demand for safe, chemical-free personal care products, and herbal shampoos fit the bill. They can be made at home using simple, inexpensive ingredients.
Shampoo Basics
Shampoo is essentially a formula composed of detergent, water and oil or fat. Most commercial shampoos use sodium lauryl sulfate or laureth sulfate, harsh detergents that can strip the hair of helpful oils that keep it strong and healthy. Soap-based shampoos do not contain these chemicals, and rinse easily away with the help of vinegar---an acid that balances soap's alkalinity.
Herbal Shampoo Options
Herbal shampoos can easily be made at home, but some are made commercially and stocked by health food stores. While a variety of these exist, it is important to choose the most natural version possible, checking labels and avoiding products with hard-to-pronounce ingredients. Pre-made, unscented shampoo base is also available, but the same cautions apply. The best option is to use liquid castile soap, a natural soap made from nothing but olive oil and sodium hydroxide, or lye, which disintegrates during the process.
Making Herbal Shampoo
There are two ways to use herbs in homemade shampoo. The first is through the use of essential oils, which are highly concentrated plant oils extracted from the leaves, stems and other plant parts by steam distillation. The correct blend of these plant oils can help control oiliness or relieve dryness in the scalp and hair, but they should be used very conservatively. A general rule of thumb is eight to 10 drops of essential oil to each ounce of product.
Actual fresh or dried herbs may also be used, but they should first be infused, or steeped in water over heat---much like making tea. A general measurement for this is 2 Tbsp per ½ c. of water. After straining the herbs from the water, the infusion can then be added to castile soap. If this method is chosen, a vinegar rinse is helpful after shampooing in order to balance the hair's percent hydrogen, or pH.
Herbs For Each Hair Type
Herbs and essential oils that help keep normal hair healthy and strong include chamomile, lavender, thyme and ylang-ylang. Oily hair is aided by bergamot, cypress, clary sage, juniper, pine, rosemary, tea tree and lemon. Dry hair is relieved by chamomile, lavender, rosemary or a combination of all three.
Considerations
Those who have sensitive skin or a history of allergies should perform a small patch test on their skin before using an herbal shampoo. The measurements in this article are intended for adults. Essential oils should never be ingested and should be kept safely away from children.
References
- Proctor & Gamble: Innovation is P&G's Life Blood
- "Prescription for Natural Cures"; James F. Balch, M.D, and Mark Stengler, N.D.; 2004
- "The Essential Natural Health Bible"; Nerys Purchon; 2006
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