Customizable Herbal Castile Shampoo

Create a shampoo that is just for you, customized to your needs and wants without harmful chemicals, SLS, or other allergen triggers.

Ingredients:            
1/2 cup distilled water
1/2 tsp. olive or jojoba oil
1/2 cup pure liquid castile soap 
1 tsp. xanthan gum
10-40 drops of essential or therapeutic oil
dried herbs (optional)

If using herbs, bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat.   Put the loose herbs into a tea strainer and steep in the boiled water for 20 to 40 minutes.  Discard the herbs. Allow the herbal water to cool to room temperature. You need 1/2 cup liquid herbal water to add to the shampoo, so expect to add more in the beginning as it will evaporate or be lost to the herb dregs.

Place the (herbal or unaltered) water and oils (if using oils your combined total must be no more than 40 drops)in a blender and turn it on. With the motor running, add in the xanthan gum and mix until thickened, about 5 seconds.

Turn off the motor and add the castile soap. Replace the cover and quickly pulse 3-4 times to thoroughly emulsify. Don’t overdo it or you will have a gigantic sudsy mess.

Pour into a labeled bottle and store for up to a month without refrigeration.

Dried Herb Master List
If you see an herb listed multiple times, it is considered a balancer and can be used to treat the PH balance, therefore making it useful all around. Pick and choose as you will.

Normal hair: basil, calendula, chamomile, horsetail, lavender, linden flowers, nettle, parsley, rosemary, sage

Dry hair and scalp: calendula, chamomile, elder flowers, horsetail, lavender, marshmallow root, nettle, parsley, sage

Oily hair and scalp: bay leaf, calendula, chamomile, horsetail, lemon balm, lavender, lemon peel, lemongrass, nettle, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, witch hazel bark (not the liquid astringent), yarrow leaf and flower

Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, inflammation, itchiness, dermatitis): burdock root, calendula, chamomile, eucalyptus, horsetail, lavender, marshmallow root, nettle, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme

Hair loss/thinning: basil, nettle, rosemary, sage

Golden highlights: calendula, chamomile, hops flowers, sunflower petals

Dark highlights: black tea, black walnut hulls (crushed or chopped), comfrey root, nettle, rosemary, sage

Red highlights: calendula, hibiscus flowers, red clover flowers, rose hips, red Rose petals

Essential Oils for Hair Care:
Before choosing an essential oil, be sure to test it for an allergic reaction before using on direct contact with your skin as it is a concentrate.

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, orange, patchouli, rose, rosemary, sage, thyme, tea tree, ylang ylang

Hair loss/thinning: basil, cypress, lavender, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme, ylang ylang