Catnip, Cat Mint and Calendula Herbal Rinse

I did an herbal hair rinse this evening after I washed my hair. It's really easy to do yourself, but there are different ways to make them.

I took 2 tablespoons each of dried calendula (also known as marigold), catnip and cat mint. Nightblooming carries catnip and also (I believe) cat mint. I got the calendula flowers from an Ebay seller.

Catnip and cat mint is renown for its ability to help condition hair and to prevent split ends. The calendula I added because I'm trying to impart the copper tones the Hawaiian sun has bleached from my hair.

Place the dried herbs into a pot with about 4 cups of water (I use a lot of water because I have so much hair.) Let the water boil or, alternatively, dump boiling water over top of the dried herbs (like making tea.) Make sure the pot is covered so as not to lose all the water.

Allow the herbs to steep in the hot water for at least 15 minutes.

It smells pretty good and my husband even asked if he could have some of my "tea."

Once you're done steeping your herbs, allow the mixture to cool off so you won't burn your scalp.

Take the strainer of your choice (I like the wire metal ones because I think they work better for herbs, but the baby hid it from me again,) and strain the water into a larger bowl or pot.

I'd recommend doing this in the bathtub or at the kitchen sink, so you'll have less of a mess to clean up. Grab a towel and a small bowl or coffee mug.

If you're doing this at the kitchen sink, just lean forward so your hair is dangling into your large bowl or pot. Take your small bowl or coffee mug and scoop some of the rinse up. Pour it over your scalp and length, making sure to get all of your hair.

You can also choose to recline back (in a bathtub, for example,) and just let your hair soak in the mixture.

I rinse for about ten minutes, then lightly squeeze down the length of my hair. I wrap a towel around my head for a few minutes, then air dry.

I've never personally tried any of these, but I've heard of people doing lavender rinses, walnut hull rinses, violet rinses and chamomile rinses. I almost added lavender to my rinse this evening, but since I've never tried it, I'll wait to do that one on its own.

Always make sure to do a skin test before using herbs (or anything else) on your hair. If using something like walnut hulls, which could darken your color, do a test run on a small patch of hair so you don't end up committed to something you hate.

Final results (still wet):

The rinse was a complete success. My hair was soft and silky and easily combed through, even while dripping wet. This will be a regular treatment from now on.