Like Rini, I've been interested in natural hair care for awhile. I did some reasearch and some experimentation, and want to share what I've found out and maybe learn from those who know how to do it! So feel free to add to this thread to post your own experiences.

I'm defining natural to be herbs, produce (avocado, or???), honey, seaweed, teas, and any product that doesn't contain extra chemicals or additives like Sodium Laurel Sulfate. Please add to this definition if you like

I have rosemary and lavender growing in my garden and decided to crush these herbs and boil them with some honeybush tea (an herbal tea from Africa that has antioxidants and other good properties). Rosemary is supposed to help with greying hair. Lavender just smells great! Also lavender is supposed to be cleansing.

I used this infusion to wash my hair all last week (didn't use anything else). My hair felt a bit strange (kind of sticky), but I just braided all week. After a week I did a CWC with diluted natural shampoo and conditioner.

I've also been doing cassia treatments once a week, this last one with avocado and honey.

So far I've got nice shine and thicker length, but somewhat drier ends. I'm avoiding oils for now because I usually have to remove them with shampoo, and I'm trying to minimize shampoo use right now.

Oh, and I've ordered some samples of Chagrin Valley shampoo soaps to try out.

Good on ya girl!! You certainly have been a busy little bee  

I am hoping to get into the herbal thing big time. Unfortunately, where I live, there is NOTHING around so I have to get everything online.

At the moment I'm just reading and reading and reading. I want to get as many different herbs as I can, then start concocting my own brews.  Of course I already concoct henna brews every 3 weeks and am always trying different additives there.

SK...when you used the infusion to wash your hair, how did you do it? Just pour it over? Any rubbing/scrubbing or just letting it sit?  The sticky hair you describe sounds like sebum building up, so maybe the wash doesn't dissolve sebum?

As for oils, do you use Jojoba? I find that this is the only oil I don't have to shampoo out (CO on the  length works fine for this). I wondered if it would work for you, seeing as we are hair twins!!

Keep us updated!

Thanks Rini for the info. I did pour the infusion over, and then do a very small bit of rubbing so it reached my scalp. I agree with you, it was probably not dissolving the sebum. Once I did a CWC at the end of the week, the stickiness was gone! I think I'll use this concoction as a rinse instead of a cleanser.

As for jojoba, I haven't tried it yet because I can't seem to find it in my area. I think I may have to order it online.....

When you CO, what conditioners are you using? I am trying to phase out my favorite, which contains SLS

Thanks Twin!

Well CO alone does not work for me.  I CWC using a cheapo conditioner to start with (sun kissed raspberry) and another slightly less cheap condish to finish with (Pears brand) mixed with honey. I use jojoba oil as a leave-in after every wash, and it never builds up and comes out just great with CO.

The rinse idea sounds great   Tell us how your hair feels this week while doing this.

I love all natural products too These are my particular favourite

www.puristusa.com