Shampoos, Rinses and Conditioners

Shampoo is just liquid soap, usually made with vegetable oils rather than animal fat, and with glycerine and alcohol added during the soapmaking process.

The basic ingredients for regular soap are lye (potash leached from ashes)*NOTE, fat (animal tallow) or oil, and water. (Depending on how basic you want to get, you could even make your own lye and render your own fat, but that's very time consuming.)

Try the following recipe for a gentle homemade shampoo:

• 2 lb. 10 oz. olive oil
• 1 lb. 7 ox. of solid-type vegetable shortening
• 1 lb. coconut oil
• 10 1/4 oz. lye
• 2 pt. water
• 1 1/2 oz. glycerine
• 1/2 oz. alcohol
• 1 1/2 oz castor oil
• NOTE: You will need a candy thermometer to test temperatures.

Mix the lye solution - pour the lye into an enamel coated container of 2 pints of cold water and stir steadily. When cooled, pour lye solution into a glass container and set in another large pan. Bring both to between 95° and 98° F - this will mean pouring either cold or hot water into the pans, depending on the original temperature of the ingredients.

Add the lye solution to the oils, pouring in a steady stream while continuing to stir. The mixture will turn opaque and brownish, then will lighten. It's ready when its surface can support a drop of mixture for a moment. The consistency should be like sour cream.

Stir in 1 1/2 oz. glycerine 1/2 oz. alcohol and 1 1/2 oz castor oil. Add any colorants, scents you desire.

Now, you can pour the mixture into molds and allow to harden, then make the shampoo as you need it by shaving off flakes and boiling in water until they dissolve - about 1 pound of shavings per gallon of water. Or, you can add more water to mixture, boil, and allow to cool, then place in bottles for use.

• 2 tbsp dry peppermint
• 2 tbsp dry spearmint
• 1 tbsp dry sage
• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup baby shampoo

Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and mix the baby shampoo with the herbal water. Pour into a plastic squirt bottle or jar.

• 1 tbsp dry comfrey root
• 1 tbsp dry rosemary
• 1 tbsp dry chamomile
• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup baby shampoo
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1/3 cup milk

Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and mix herbal water with the baby shampoo, egg and milk. Pour into a plastic squirt bottle or jar.

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup honey

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and heat until just boiling. Remove immediately from heat and let cool. Pour into a plastic spray bottle and spray on the ends of hair while wet. Wrap a warm, wet towel around hair and leave for one hour. Shampoo the mixture out of your hair, rinse and dry as usual. Mixture should be stored in a cool place.

• 2 tbsp corn meal
• 1 tbsp ground almonds
• 1 1/2 tbsp orrisroot

Combine ingredients in a bowl. Massage 1 tsp into your scalp, then brush through hair. Repeat if necessary.

• 1 egg
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp unscented shampoo
• Fragrance oil of your choice

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Shampoo into your hair and rinse well. The egg will act as a conditioner, and the lemon juice will bring shine to your hair!

HAIR GEL

• 2 tbsp Flax seeds
• 1 cup water
• A few drops of essential oils (optional, to give the gel a nice smell)

Place flax seeds & water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let sit for about 15-20 minutes. Strain and allow to cool completely. Add essential oils (if desired) when cooled. Place in glass container and store. Contributed by Lisa Van den Boomen, freya@videotron.ca