In a recent post we gave you some recipes for soap-free skin cleansers you can make at home – ideal for Histamine Intolerant people with itchy skin. For those with itchy scalps, here are some recipes for soap-free home-made shampoo for itchy scalps. They’re simple to make, they really work and they won’t break the bank. In fact, they’re probably cheaper than most commercial shampoos! The shampoos are pH balanced and come courtesy of www.blog.kanelstrand.com.
If you’re already using a ‘natural’ shampoo, check the ingredients on the label. Commercial products often contain chemical additives that are far from natural and some, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, can actually be damaging.
A note on essential oils
Many people believe that because essential oils are natural plant extracts, they must be kind to the skin. The truth is, however, that essential oils vary in their characteristics and each person responds differently them. The most common undesirable result is skin irritation.
David Fisher, whose knowledge of essential oils derives from candle and soap making, declares that toxicity in essential oils comes in two forms:
* Phototoxicity – these essential oils become toxic when exposed to direct sunlight. These oils are fine in candles, but shouldn’t be used in any sort of application where the essential oil will stay on your skin and be exposed to the sun. Using these oils in soap is o.k. because it is rinsed off, but using them in a balm or a lotion is not recommended because the essential oils stay on your skin.” Phototoxic essential oils include verbena oil and citrus oils such as lemon, lime, orange and mandarin.
* Toxicity – at certain levels, these essential oils will make you sick, or hurt you in some way – whether in the light or not. Several of them can be used safely in soap making and candle making, but you need to exercise caution and moderation, which usually means using them in low concentrations.” Toxic essential oils include bay laurel, cedarwood (Virginian), cinnamon (leaf), clove (bud), eucalyptus, juniper and nutmeg.
Perfumes and fragrances can irritate the airways of HIT sufferers. Add to this the possibility of essential oils irritating sensitive skin, and you have two good reasons to avoid adding perfumes and essential oils to your home-made personal care products.
Home-Made Rye Flour Shampoo
This recipe is suitable for all types of hair. Note: The reason why rye flour is relatively mess-free is that it’s low in gluten. Do not experiment with other flours, especially those rich in gluten. It will be really difficult to remove them from your hair.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 tbsp. rye flour (you can adjust the amount according to your hair length)
- some lukewarm water – enough to make the mixture as thick as standard shampoo
Instructions:
- Put the flour in a cup.
- Add some water and mix thoroughly. Keep adding water and mixing.
- Mix until there are no lumps left and the mixture is runny and resembles that of shampoo.
To use:
- Wet your hair and put some of the shampoo on your fingers.
- Massage thoroughly and gently into the scalp. The shampoo will cover the lengths of your hair when you start rinsing.
- Rinse generously with lukewarm water until all shampoo is removed.
Home Made Coconut Milk and Aloe Vera Shampoo.
This recipe is suitable for dry, dandruff-prone hair and scalp. If you like, you can double or triple the quantities of ingredients, divide the shampoo between several containers and store it in the freezer for later use.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 oz (75 ml) coconut milk
- 3 oz (88 ml) Aloe Vera
Instructions:
- Mix the coconut milk and the Aloe Vera well until there are no lumps left.
To use:
- Apply on wet hair.and put some of the shampoo on your fingers.
- Massage well into the scalp.
- Let it remain for a couple of minutes.
- Rinse generously with lukewarm water.
