If you are concerned about the chemicals in your shampoo and conditioner, plastic shampoo bottles in landfills and pollution in rivers and lakes, take a look at natural shampoos that have been used for centuries before commercial products were developed. You can make your own shampoos, re-use plastic bottles and do less harm to the environment as well as feeling more connected to nature and being more self-sufficient.
Yucca Root and Hibiscus Flowers
Buy yucca root in Asian, Mexican or Central American grocery stores. Peel the root, cut into small pieces and use a hammer to crush the root. Put the yucca loosely into a cotton bag and soak in warm water for a few minutes. Then, rub the bag of yucca root as you would a bar of soap to make suds. Wash your hair with the suds and warm water.
Use a heaping teaspoonful of the dried blossoms of hibiscus flowers, also called shoe flower or Jamaica, to a cup of boiling water. Steep, strain and cool the tea. Pour through your hair and massage the hair and scalp. Rinse thoroughly.
Soap Nuts and Soapwort
Combine 1 1/2 tbsp. of chopped dried soapwort root with 2 cups of water. Simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. Strain and use a small amount to wash your hair. Keep the remainder in the refrigerator and use within a week. Soapwort is available from health food stores and online suppliers.
Soap nuts are the dried berries of the Chinese soap berry tree. Boil five soap nuts in a cotton bag, in 3 cups water for 12 to 15 minutes. Strain and use as a shampoo. Soap nuts don't make much lather, but will clean your hair. Pour a little over your damp hair and massage from the roots to the ends of your hair before rinsing.
Shikakai and Papaya Leaves
Shikakai is a powder made from the pods of the Acacia Concinna tree and used as a shampoo in southeast Asia. You can purchase the dried ground shikakai at Asian or Indian grocery stores. Mix 2 tbsp. of the powder into enough water to make a thin paste. Rub it into your wet hair for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.
Make a tea with papaya leaves and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain and use the tea to wash your hair.
Considerations
Don't expect the same sort of lather as you get from commercial shampoos. Often these mixtures make little or no lather, but they still clean your hair. Occasionally natural herbal shampoos can be drying. Use olive or jojoba oil as a conditioner. Mix 1 tsp. oil into the herbal infusion and stir thoroughly to distribute the oil. Pour through your hair and massage to clean. Rinse thoroughly. The oil will help to retain moisture in your hair.
Warning
Do a patch test before using any of these herbs on your hair. Put a dab of the herbal solution on your inner arm. Cover with a bandage and wait 24 hours before checking for adverse reactions. A rash, itching, redness or swelling indicate that you may be allergic and should not use the herb.
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