I've always heard that generic shampoo and conditioning products from the store weren't made with healthy products, but it wasn't until I turned my "herbal" conditioner bottle over and read the ingredients that I made the decision to walk away from the bottles of toxic waste. Just take a look at the label.
Cetrimonium Chloride is generally recoginized as safe, but Stearlakonium Chloride is labeled "potentially" toxic. If you use the product over a long period of time, that toxidity risk increases. We are warned - just search Google - that Stearlakonium Chloride is "potentially" dangerous, and can have negative effects on the nervous system. So why is this labeled safe by the FDA?
Keep reading, we don't know the nature of the Fragrance (Parfum) that they put in this bottle, so we have to hope that it isn't something toxic. Glyceryl Stearate, I couldn't find much about this ingredient except that it causes an allergic reaction in some people.
Now DMDM Hydantoin is an entirely different story! DMDM is a formaldehyde releasing ingredient that can irritate the respiratory system and trigger heart palpitations. Further it can cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Even to the extent of the side-effects of weakening the immune system and causing cancer! And this is called safe?!
Disodium EDTA's side-effects include allergic reaction; dangerously low blood sugar, blood pressure, or blood calcium levels; kidney failure and seizures.
Oh my! I could spend all day ranting the side effects of Benzophenon-4 - classified as a chemical that causes photo sensitivity and mimics estrogen - which may increase the risk of breast cancer. Blue #1 and Yellow #5 are coloring agents that are commonly known to cause cancer.
And that is only half of the ingredients!! I could go on, but will refrain for this post. However, I do encourage and challenge you to go look up every ingredient of your body care products. Chances are, you are just pouring toxic waste and chemicals all over your body. How do you like your FDA approved poison products?
So I've managed to tell you how our shampoo and conditioner will wreck our bodies, but I'm not going to leave you hanging. I'm going to help you completely remove conventional shampoo and conditioner from your shower and give you directions to make a real, safe and healthy hair care product. After switching to making my own shampoo product, I haven't needed an additional conditioner.
Get ready! Here's the ingredients:
1 c. Castile Soap (I use Dr. Bronners)
1 c. Water
2 Tbls. Dried Organic Green Tea Leaves (I buy mine from the Bulk Herb Store)
(you can also use dried rosemary, lavendar, etc. as an extra ingredient in your tea)
2 Tbls. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions:
- Put water and green tea leaves and steep for 30 minutes. Strain and cool.
- Mix tea, castile soap, and olive oil. Stir.
I put mine in a pint jar and keep it in the refrigerator for freshness.
Really?! Yes, really! Only four ingredients, and a few minutes of your time, and you have it! Easy peasy, and you've kicked another bottle of toxic waste out of your home!
Let me know if you love it as much as I do!
The Herb Girl
I haven't had mine go sour, so I'm guessing about 2 or 3 weeks. I know people who don't refrigerate similar recipes, but they use the whole amount in 1 week. If you aren't sure that you will use that much, I would recommend cutting the recipe in half. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I'd love to hear how you like it. :)
ReplyDeleteI've just recently switched ALL of my hair products and skin products over to a completely, all-natural, 100% pure line of products called Willow Tree Minerals. To my knowledge, this is the only line of its kind. Unlike other lines such as BareMinerals which only uses SOME "all-natural" products, this IS 100% pure. And I'm loving it! Just FYI, thought you might be interested in looking into this line. Here's their website: http://www.willowtreeminerals.com/ She has some really interesting information on going all-natural if you click on "Why Natural?" Maybe you should start your own products line! ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings Amelia! :)
Thanks for the comment, Carissa! It looks like she has some good products, and if I were to purchase makeup I would definitely consider purchasing from her. However, for shampoo, it is so much cheaper and easier to make my own. I can make a batch of this shampoo recipe for 1/3 of the price of her product. And more than just being frugal, I love the control I have over the ingredients. (For example, I can add rosemary if I feel like my scalp is dry.)
DeleteAs far as being the only line, I do know of at least five other 100% organic brands off the top of my head. I'm sure her product is great, though! Maybe someday I'll do a review on different brands and their pros and cons. :)
Gotcha! :) Just thought I'd let ya know bout it. And yes, you should do a review! ;)
Delete(Just wrote a long comment that was deleted. So this is a much shorter version of what I previously wrote.) :P
ReplyDeleteI'm using straight vinegar on my hair now and am enjoying it immensely. Thanks for sharing this simple recipe with us. If I could only find the ingredients in my small town, I think I might try this.
Thanks again!