Get outta my hair - and other sour tales

Probably the only truly natural shampoo is a bar soap shampoo. All others may come from natural sources, such as coconut oil, but this is coconut oil that has been chemically changed beyond all recognition (derived from coconut oil - cocamide, cocamidipropyl, etc.). But soap is by nature, slightly alkaline and leaves a film, both detrimental to the shine and texture of your hair.

What to do? Naturally?

Well, I remember when I was a little girl, my mother used to rinse my hair after shampooing with a cider vinegar solution. It wasn't until much later that I learned this was to add shine and prevent tangles. In fact, it was when we began making soap and were experimenting with shampoo bars that we were reintroduced to vinegar and lemon juice as acidulated rinses. By that time I was into herbs and began making herbal rinse formulas with particular properties.

By itself a cider vinegar rinse leaves hair soft and shiny, helps de-tangle, and can aid in preventing dandruff. It, as do all acidulated rinses, helps remove oils and soap residue and restore an acidic pH to the hair.
You can add the benefits of herbs to these rinses by making a strong infusion with them. Some herbs particularly helpful to hair and their reputed properties are:

Nettle (Urtica dioica) - nourishing and stimulating to the scalp
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - conditioning, darkening at larger quantities
Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) - stimulating to the scalp and equalizing to oily skin, helps prevent dandruff.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) - purifying, cleansing and conditioning, enhances brunette hair
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - to brighten and enhance shine, especially in blonde hair

RECIPE: Basic acidulated hair rinse - Mix 2 Tablespoons of strained lemon juice or cider vinegar in 1 cup of warm water and massage into scalp after shampooing. For best effect do not rinse out.

Herbal hair rinse - Use at least 1/2 c. mixed herbs for 2 cups of vinegar. Steep together in a jar without heating for at least 2 weeks, then strain and store in a dark glass bottle or dark place. Use by adding 2 Tablespoons of the vinegar rinse in 1 cup of warm water and massaging into scalp after shampooing. As with the plain rinse, for best effect do not rinse out.

But while I am on the subject of vinegar...
We have many herbal vinegar blends that we make for cooking so I thought I'd pass one along here - a favorite base for salad dressing. We even made a gallon of this to use at the reception dinner for our daughter's wedding.
Again, the important thing is to use enough herbs when you are making the flavored vinegar - 1/2 cup dried mixed herbs to 2 cups of vinegar.

Recipe: For this blend use red wine vinegar with the addition of basil, oregano, garlic and black peppercorns. We use about 12 peppercorns and 6 cloves of garlic per 2 cups of vinegar. Let the mixture steep in a dark place and shake occasionally to mix. Taste after a week and, if it is not strong enough, let sit another 2 or 3 weeks. When it tastes right, strain and store in clean, tightly capped bottles.
To make the salad dressing, mix 1/3 herb vinegar with 2/3 good olive oil or a mix of olive and other salad oil, as you prefer. Enjoy!

See our website Hair Care section for: J.R.LIGGETT'S OLD-FASHIONED BAR SHAMPOO.
The original formula for this incredible and unique bar of shampoo was discovered loosely placed in an old New England Cookbook. 100% vegetable oil formula lathers quickly, cleans well, and rinses out easily, leaving you with healthy, beautiful, and clean hair.