SLS AND DEA DEADLY?
We've received some email from
concerned readers asking about SLS, sodium lauryl sulfate, and DEA,
diethanolamine. These two ingredients (and many others) are listed as
dangerous on some internet web sites and concern is rising. One reader
writes, "I'm just trying to research these dangerous chemicals to protect
my family." This is very commendable and we share your concern. We thank
all of you for your input!
So why do we use sodium lauryl
sulfate (from coconut oil) and cocamide dea (from coconut oil) in our
shampoo formulas? The answer is, to the best of our knowledge, these two
ingredients are considered safe when used topically. However, due to the
onslaught of concern, we plan to research these ingredients even further.
We will publish our conclusions as we reach them at a later date.
In the meantime, let's keep in mind
that we must consider the source of any information we read or hear. Our
"information super highway" (the internet) is wonderful, but it's not
like reading the American Journal of Medicine or even the Washington
Post. An investigative approach is necessary online, even when reading
http://www.abbysherbshop.com/ ;-)
ANOTHER READER WRITES:
"WOW!!! FINALLY, AND, AT LAST!!
JUST what I have been LOOKING FOR!!! Some good 'ol down to earth HAIR
CARE!!!" ...and asks, "would you be able to furnish advice on medications
that generally affect the growth, and condition of hair?"
The affects of medications are
so varied and complex that we must defer to licensed professionals on
that topic. If the condition of your hair has changed since the
introduction of a new medication, there's a good chance the 'med'
is the cause. Check it out with the professional who wrote the
prescription and ask if there might be an effective alternative.
Oh... and by the way... we'd love
for you to share some recipes with us. Send them on! :-)
ANOTHER READER WRITES:
"I have naturally curly, curly
hair which I love dearly and in your newsletter you state not to comb
or brush your hair wet. While I agree with not brushing, I have to comb
my hair with a wide tooth comb when it's wet before I remove my conditioner.
If I tried to comb or brush it while dry, it only turns into one, big,
frizzy cotton ball. Yuck!!. Anyhoo, might you have any other suggestions
how to go about detangling my type of hair? I would really appreciate
it."
That's one I left out last week.
The method you are using, a wide toothed comb, is appropriate for your
hair type. The only thing I might add is to be as gentle as possible
remembering that, while wet, hair is susceptible to damage.
BLACK HAIR
I also forgot to mention African
American hair last week. I've been asked repeatedly about the results
of our products on 'black' hair. We have personally seen astounding
results and that's not a brag.
Herbal hair care is my recommendation
for any hair type! Surprised? ;-)
INEXHAUSTIBLE
This subject, like most newsletter
topics, seems inexhaustible and I'm sure we'll be back on it again, but
for now let's wrap it up with these excerpts and recipes from past
tips ...
I Want My Hair Back
One of the oldest remedies for
balding is to use southernwood ashes. You obtain the ashes by burning
dried southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum). This must be done safely in
a clean metal or stone container that you will not miss after the flames
have marred it.
A simple recipe would be to combine
1 ounce of southernwood ashes, 1 cup of olive oil, and 1 ounce of essential
oil of rosemary. This is an old European remedy. It is effective on the
face and scalp, and was used by young boys to grow their beards. (This
is the basic formula used in Abby's Southernwood Hair Oil.)
If you are losing your hair and
have an oily scalp, use essential oils of lemongrass (10 drops) and
rosemary (5 drops) in olive oil (2 tablespoons) and rinse with fresh
squeezed lemon juice after shampooing. Always choose the cold pressed,
extra virgin olive oil.
Another old recipe for stimulating
hair growth is 2 ounces each of rosemary, maidenhair fern, southernwood,
myrtleberries, and witch hazel bark burned to ashes and infused in white
wine. Apply this to the roots every day.
Onion juice (white) applied to the
scalp will promote growth and you could throw a few cabbage leaves into
the juicer with the onions, too. Yes, you can drink a few sips if you
want.
When you brush or comb your hair,
apply a few drops of essential oil of rosemary, lavender, or basil to
the scalp and/or brush. You can also dip your brush into herb water made
with any of the following herbs: Jaborandi, lady's smock, nettle, rosemary,
or southernwood.
You Can Win This Battle
When we focus so hard on any one
problem, worrying about it, the condition is subject to get worse. Have
you heard of cases where a person's hair turned gray almost overnight
due to extremely stressful circumstances? If our mental state could so
effect a change in hair color, you can bet it could also effect the
loss of hair. So lighten up a little. Stress and worry could be part
of the problem.
Supplements of a good vitamin
B complex are excellent for stress. Your choice of foods is important,
too.
DAMAGED HAIR
Can herbs fix this mess? Yes,
I think I've got some herbal tips that can fix it! Let's go into the
kitchen. The first thing I would reach for is the olive oil. This by
itself is good, but if you could put together some of these other
ingredients, too, it would be so much better.
Herbal Hot Oil Treatment Recipe
Use equal amounts of olive oil,
walnut oil, and peanut oil. Heat them in a nonmetal container. You will
need a total of about one ounce per treatment depending on the length
of your hair, so while you are mixing, make up enough for a few more
treatments. Add some essential oil of rosemary, about 1/4 to 1/2 ounce
to 4 to 6 ounces of oil. A few drops of these other essential oils
could be added: Basil, lavender, nutmeg, or oregano.
For a stronger solution, place
some rosemary, parsley, and/or lemongrass in a nonmetal pot. Pour the
oils over the herbs and simmer until they are crisp but not burned.
(The ratio here should be about one handful of herb to 6 ounces oil.)
Run this infusion through a strainer to remove the herbs and add your
choice of essential oil.
While you are waiting for your
oil recipe to heat, brush out your hair and wet it. Hopefully it's not
full of hair spray. If so, shampoo first and towel dry. Then apply the
warm oil to the scalp and work it through to the ends of your hair. Have
a hot damp towel ready and wrap it around your head then cover with plastic,
a clean kitchen garbage bag would do, and wrap another towel over that.
Keep this warm the best way you can. If you have a hair dryer that fits
over your head, set it on warm and stay under it for at least one hour.
Shampoo twice with a good natural shampoo (preferably herbal) and rinse
with very warm water, then cool water to contract the pores.
Avocado Repair Recipe
Blend one egg thoroughly in a
blender. Add half an avocado and a tablespoon of natural mayonnaise
or olive oil. Spread this delicious goo all over your scalp and work
it in. Wrap with scarves or linen towels and leave it there for at
least one hour. Shampoo and rinse.
While the pores of your scalp
are open, before you rinse with cool water, it is always a good idea
to rinse with herb water. The following are some of the herbs that
would be good to use on damaged hair: Rosemary, comfrey, nettle,
cherry bark, kelp, alfalfa, southernwood, lemongrass, parsley,
and yarrow.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Keep writing! I do read all email
even though I am not able to reply to each one personally. The volume
has become prohibitive. Your concerns are important to me and my staff.
I will continue to be here for you on a personal basis via this newsletter
for as long as I can. We do care! Thanks for understanding.
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