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Herbs & Cultures

Natural skin and hair care

Clarifying shampoo

A herbal shampoo with apple cider vinegar.

Used for

Time
30 minutes
Makes
About 470 ml
Lavender

Castile soap with an infusion of lavender, rosemary and basil, plus vinegar, jojoba and lemon and thyme oil. Good for washing product residue out of the hair now and then.

Ingredients

  • 1½ teaspoons dried lavender
  • 1½ teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 1½ teaspoons dried basil
  • 120 ml distilled water
  • 235 ml liquid castile soap
  • 60 ml apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
  • 5 drops lemon oil
  • 5 drops thyme oil
  • 2 drops cypress oil

Step by step

  1. Make an infusion of the herbs and the water (see below).
  2. Mix the other ingredients, add 120 ml of infusion and mix well. Pour into a clean bottle.
  3. Wash your hair as usual, rinse and then use conditioner.

Tips

  • An infusion for the hair: 1 litre of water to 28–56 g fresh herbs, or 235 ml water to half a tablespoon of herb for one use. Steep covered for 15–25 minutes and strain. Strength varies per herb; keep track of what you use.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 44

    Lavender

    Lavandula angustifolia

    A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 2

    Rosemary

    Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

    An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 8

    Basil

    Ocimum basilicum

    Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 84

    Apple

    Malus domestica

    A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 221

    Lemon

    Citrus limon

    Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 98

    Thyme

    Thymus vulgaris

    Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 233

    Cypress

    Cupressus sempervirens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, calming, diuretic.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.