Neem & Nettle Shampoo Bar

Intention: Shampoo bar for troubled hair, such as dandruff, itchy scalp, or lice

We felt we needed a shampoo bar for troubled times too. Itchy scalps, dandruff, and other inflamed rashes are no fun. So we brought in the mighty Nettle, Neem, and Sage herbs in for this one. And although I do not like the smell of Neem at all, once this beautiful lather is rinsed out, you can't smell it in your hair. I had a teenage girl do the sniff test to be sure. :)

Neem is an effective anti-fungal anti-microbial, but it is also soothing to the scalp. It does have a strong  scent, but it doesn't linger. Neem is used often in the garden to repel pests, and is said to be effective with repelling lice. (I have not tested this personally, nor do I want to!). However, to treat an infestation, I imagine the concentration of neem would need to be higher than what is in this bar.

Nettle is rich in minerals and silica, is anti-inflammatory (calms), and is wonderfully nourishing for your scalp and hair.  Sage is also anti-inflammatory and astringent. Both of these herbs will help the health of your scalp, which of course leads to healthy hair.

Bars are about 3 oz or more. If kept dry between washes, each bar could last for many months.

Ingredients: Rice Bran Oil, Water, Coconut Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Babassu Oil, Cocoa Butter, Camellia Oil, Neem Oil, Nettle leaf, Sage Essential Oil

Why We Chose These Ingredients:

• Rice Bran Oil - antioxidants, emollient, improves moisture
• Coconut Oil - cleansing, high in vitamin C, high in lauric acid and antimicrobial
• Castor Oil - high in ricinoleic acid; boosts bubbles
  
• Babassu Oil - moisturizes, protects hair from breakage
• Camellia Oil - hydrating to hair, smoothes frizz
  
• Cocoa Butter - 
• Neem Oil - antimicrobial, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory
• Nettle leaf - anti-inflammatory, nourishing, rich in minerals
• Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) - a caustic/alkaline reagent that, when mixed with fats and water,  will react (saponify) to create soap. Once cured, a properly made bar of soap will have no lye left in it when finished: it has been converted into soap.
• Sage - strengthens hair follicles, astringent, anti-inflammatory

Use: Wet hair and soap. Gently rub scalp with soap in one hand, and work up the lather with the other hand.  If you have a lot of product build-up, it may take a minute to work up a good lather. Put soap down and massage your scalp and work up lather. When done, rinse hair thoroughly. Remember not to twist hair to remove water.  Follow with an herbal rinse or conditioner.