DIY Herb Infused Shampoo
One of the first beauty products that I made myself was shampoo but it has taken me almost 6 months to post about it because I tried so many different kinds. I had seen a lot of people posting about using baking soda shampoo in place of store bought shampoo because it didn’t have the chemicals and toxins that ordinary shampoos have. I was interested, so I tried it….for 3 long weeks. Every post said that there was an adjustment period where your hair will be a little more oily than usual. This is because your scalp is used to over producing oil due to the harsh chemicals in regular shampoo that stripes your hair. After the “adjustment period” your hair is supposed to be back to normal. The baking soda shampoo method did not work for me, my hair was so oily that the weight of it gave me a headache! So, I had to try something different.
I found a bunch of recipes for shampoo using castile soap and tried a lot of them, like 5 or 6 of them, each for about 2-3 weeks at a time. One had honey in it, one had coconut milk, but this recipe is the one that I finally found worked for me.
Ingredients:
- 1 c boiling water
- 1-2 tbsp herbs (see list below)
- ¼ c Castile Soap
- 1/2 tsp Grapeseed Oil
- 15-20 drops of essential oils (see list below)
Directions:
Put the herbs in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Cover and let sit for several hours. Strain out herbs and mix with all remaining ingredients gently then pour into a squeeze bottle. Let the shampoo sit for several hours before use. I like to use the squeeze bottles because the shampoo is watery and the bottle makes it easier to apply. Just spray some shampoo on, lather and rinse. You will be surprised at how much it lathers up!
You can follow this up with an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. Mix 1 c water with 2 tbsps of apple cider vinegar and apply after shampooing then rinse. You can adjust the ratio depending on your hair type more vinegar for dry hair, less for oily hair but just apply it to the ends of your hair. I use the rinse every other day because my hair is oily and it works great. There was an adjustment period for this shampoo method also, but for me it was only a few days before my hair started to feel normal again.
Suggested herbs to use for different hair types:
Normal hair: Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lavender, Linden flowers, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Rosemary, Sage, Watercress.
Dry hair and scalp: Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Elder flowers, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Sage.
Oily hair and scalp: Bay leaf, Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Nettle, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Witch Hazel bark, Yarrow leaf and flower.
Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, inflammation, itchiness, dermatitis): Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Eucalyptus, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.
Hair loss/thinning: Basil, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.
Golden highlights: Calendula, Chamomile, Lemon, Sunflower petals.
Dark highlights: Black Tea, Black Walnut hulls (crushed or chopped), Comfrey root, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.
Red highlights: Calendula, Henna, Hibiscus flowers, Red Clover flowers, Rose hips, Red Rose petals.
Suggested essential oils to use by hair type:
Normal hair: Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.
Dry hair: Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Orange, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.
Oily Hair: Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Tea Tree, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.
Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, itchiness, inflammation, dermatitis): Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh, Orange, Patchouli, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang.
Hair loss/thinning: Basil, Cypress, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.
I used non-scented castile soap, peppermint essential oils and rosemary infused water. I love it and I will never go back to using store bought shampoo again!
UPDATE: A few times I’ve run out of shampoo and didn’t have time to steep the herbs, so I used essential oils instead. I use about 30 drops of essential oils in total, so the amount of each depends on how many different oils I’m adding to the shampoo. For example, I normally use 15 drops of rosemary and 15 drops of peppermint. If I wanted to add lavender also, I would only use 10 drops of each oil. So far, this method has worked great, if not better!
Wow!! What a great idea! I’ve started making my own laundry soap and have wanted to start making my own shampoo (not only is it healthier… but probably costs less too)! I didn’t know where to start…. this is a great help! Thank you for posting!
I make laundry soap too! There’s such a great sense of accomplishment when you make useful items yourself. Thanks for visiting my site! -Monika
I will try this !Great idea.
Does the vinegar leave an odor in your hair?
There is a light scent of the vinegar when I get out of the shower, but as my hair dries I can’t smell it anymore. I’ve been experimenting with making scented vinegar, so I’ll let you know if I have any luck! -Monika
Your hair looks wonderful and shiny in the picture. I’ve been rather curious about a homemade shampoo with castile soap but haven’t been brave enough to try it yet. I read something that the ph is too high in castille soap and it will dry your hair, but the more I checked into that it sounds like if you dilute the soap (like you did) then you’re OK and it’s not so drying. Pinned your recipe and will work up my courage :)
Yes, if you don’t dilute the soap it would be much to drying. If you have dry hair, be sure to use the apple cider vinegar rinse. It help to balance the ph. -Monika
Your hair looks great. I have very greasy hair to begin with so I wouldn’t try to the baking soda one. I will try this though. Thanks for the tips!
Great idea!
Like to try this
Hi there! Thanks so much for the great looking recipe. I enjoy homemade things and also think this could save money on shampoo, especially because I prefer to buy organic shampoo when possible. I am just wondering if you have any recommendations about where to purchase the ingredients? Do they have these at the supermarket, or do you need to go to a health food store?
Hi Janette! The castile soap and grapeseed oil I have seen at some Targets and Walmarts but I have never seen essential oils anywhere but a health food store. You can also get all of the ingredients on Amazon. I hope that helps! -Monika
Do we need to use all the herbs in the list for our hair type? I also have dermatitis and would like to know if I need to combine all the herbs in both lists together or just lick a few?
No, you don’t have to use all of them. I only add Rosemary & Peppermint to my shampoo since I have oily hair. Just a pick a few, hope that helps! -monika
When you say “1/4 c castile” is that 1/4 c of soap shavings or 1/4 c liquid castile?
I use a 1/4c of liquid castile soap. -Monika
If you dont have grapeseed oil what can you use in its place?
I like to use grapeseed oil because it’s light. I have tried not adding it, but my hair ends up dry. Almond oil, or jojoba would probably work. I wouldn’t use olive oil, its too heavy. Hope that helps! -Monika
One thing that confuses me with DIY recipes using essential oils: When you say 15-20 drops is that the sum total of all oils – as in 5 drops of four different kinds of oils which totals 20 – or does that mean 15-20 drops of each individual oil?
Most of the recipes I’ve come across do not clearly state one way or the other. I guess most people already know, but I’ve just started trying to detoxify my life and have ominous visions of folicular nightmares if I err (plus it gets too doggone expensive to toss and redo ;o)
I can see how that would be confusing! :) I use 15 drops of each essential oil. -monika
Hi there! I saw your recipe and it sounded wonderful so I decided to try it! it’s only my 4th day and I know there’s an adjustment period but my hair feels like there’s a residue in it. I’m rinsing as thoroughly as I can but I am thinking I’m usisng too much shampoo. how much would you recommend using and would you suggest to comb the Apple cider vinegar through your hair?
I’m not sure of the exact measurement because I just squirt a little from the squeeze bottle. Maybe 1 tbsp? And yes, I do comb the ACV through my hair when I do the rinse. The ACV should be removing the residue, but if its really bad you can try adding baking soda to your shampoo to help. You can either add it to the actual shampoo mixture, or you can lather up your hair then take about 1 tsp of baking soda and work it into the roots, then rinse.
How often do you use this shampoo/ACV? Do you use it as “no-poo” method or instead of regular shampoo as often as needed? I have very fine, thin hair and wash every day. I want to swich to something natural for a health of my hair. Thank you for the recipe, its sound very good and I would like to try :).
I use this daily, and once a week I use a store bought clarifying shampoo. I haven’t figured out a homemade clarifying treatment yet, but I’ll be doing that soon! -Monika
I make a very similar shampoo and pour it into an empty foaming handsoap bottle. It pumps out in a frothy fluff and works great. I will definitely try your recipe next!
Hi! In your update you said you used essential oils in the place of steeping herbs. I would like to use this method as I don’t really have the patience for steeping ;). How much oil did you use in replacement of the herbs? And I assume this was in addition to the oils you already have in the recipe? I would think that too many oils would make it oily…? But I’ve never made my own shampoo/conditioner so I have no idea… But I LOVE essential oils. (Ex: would you use 10-15 drops of Rosemary in addition to 10-15 drops of peppermint?)
My hair feels great, but it almost looks wet. Maybe from the coconut oil in the soap. I have really fine, thin hair. Anything you can recommend to make it look less greasy.
If my hair gets too oily I usually use a face powder brush to apply
to the roots. I apply it at night and by morning my hair is back to normal. If you have dark hair and want to use it during the day, you can add cocoa powder to the arrowroot so that it’s less noticeable. Hope that helps! -monika
arrowroot powder