:: Make Your Own: Peppermint Tea Shampoo ::
Well, it was a sad day early this Spring when I realized my massive rosemary shrub was not going to make a comeback after the harsh winter we had. I had been making Shampoo with Rosemary for so long, my very first thought was “Oh no!!! What will I make shampoo with!?”
When the time came for a new batch to be made, I turned to a bag of loose peppermint tea I had bought from a local country shop. I also double the amount of baking soda for summertime. This changes the cost breakdown just a bit from the Rosemary Shampoo I’ve always made so let me give you the breakdown here and we’ll move on to the recipe…
At 1 cup of baking soda per gallon of shampoo, that’s $.44 (costco’s 13.5 lb bag of baking soda is $5.99 yielding enough for 13 batches!)
At 1/2 bar of castile soap per gallon, that’s $.55 (I buy Walmart’s 3 bar pack of Kirk’s for $3.28)
At 6 tsp of xanthan gum per gallon, that’s $1.62 (to avoid shipping, I buy Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum at Whole Foods for $12.99)
At 1/2 cup loose peppermint tea, that’s $.38 (I bought a .30 lb bag for $2.26 from a privately owned local country shop.)
That brings the total for Peppermint Tea Shampoo to $2.99/gallon!
Peppermint tea is invigorating to the blood flow on the scalp which encourages hair growth. It smells beautiful; I was tempted to add some essential oils but it wasn’t necessary with the great aroma!
What you’ll need:
Loose Peppermint tea (or lots of tea bags)
Coffee filters
baking soda
1/2 bar castile soap
water
xanthan gum
a funnel, and shampoo dispensing containers
Fold and staple 1/2 cup loose peppermint tea inside 2 coffee filters.(this idea came from my genius and gracious friend Lora.- she gets me! – it beats making them from cloth or buying tea bags for loose tea!) Bring to a boil and set aside. In a separate bowl, grate 1/2 bar castile soap into 2 cups of hot water, stir until dissolved.
Add enough water to the tea to equal 1 gallon. Add 1 cup baking soda and stir until dissolved. (If tea isn’t warm enough to dissolve baking soda just warm on a burner.)
Add tea mixture to blender container. To each blender-full, add 1 heaping tsp xanthan gum and blend. (This process assures your shampoo will have no lumps and all the xanthan gum will be fully incorporated – making your shampoo nice and thick!)
After blending, place in a large container that will hold full gallon of shampoo.
Fold in melted castile soap.
Use a funnel to fill your containers and cool completely before capping! I love the amount this recipe makes – it’s a beautiful thing to have refills in the linen closet already on hand!
Meanwhile, I’m still missing my rosemary shrub! Now I have a tiny one but it’s potted; I will bring in during winter months from now on!
I never thought about making my own shampoo – I bet this smells divine!
Elizabeth @Being MVP recently posted…Aladdin Mason Entertaining Collection + #Giveaway #aladdinmason #masonparty
It of course doesn’t have as much lather, but i’ve learned that was chemicals anyhow… and my hair stays cleaner longer now! 🙂
Wow, you are a true pioneer! I never would have thought to make my own shampoo, but I love the idea of it.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…10 Summer Drinks
Thank you for your kind words Robin.— I take that as a huge compliment!
That’s incredible! I’ve been looking for ways to make my own beauty products but haven’t found anything that worked for me just yet. This is a recipe I’m definitely going to be trying in the future 🙂
Dawn Lopez recently posted…Getting Ready for a Living Room Makever: DIY Remove Sticky Labels from Glass Bottles
Cool Dawn… I hope it works well for you!
Thanks for this, what a great idea. I’d love the scent of that each morning!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Strawberry Jello Pie
You’re welcome, Tammi! I was really surprised how much more my hair stayed clean (much longer) once I wasn’t using shampoo with chemicals.
I love this. What a great idea. I’ll have to try to make this myself. I love the smell of peppermint.
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog) recently posted…Captain America: The Winter Soldier on Blu-ray 9/9
Be sure and let us know if you do Tiffany – and how you like it! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Peppermint is one of my favorites! Love the smell!
Brittany C. @ Mom. Wife. Busy Life. recently posted…My Husband, My Hero – Cherishing Moments Together with Coffee-mate! #CMSalutingHeroes
I enjoy it too – very invigorating!
I love this idea. Peppermint is one of my favorite scents, and it truly is very invigorating.
Mindy Grant recently posted…How to Make a Traditional Maine Lobster Roll
I do miss my rosemary, Mindy but peppermint is standing in nicely!!!
What a great idea. I used to make homemade shampoo, body wash and lotion. It is especially nice when you can’t find the exact scent you are looking for.
Becky Ryan- Willis recently posted…Announcement: Disneynature’s Bears on Blu-ray 8/12
I agree Becky! I really like having the option to make a batch instead of running to the store too!
I would never have though to do this, but now I will have to try it! This looks awesome!
I love not having to buy shampoo often, Pam. Let us know if you try it!
This sounds wonderful!
Racquel recently posted…Gluten Free Asparagus & Egg Breakfast Quesadilla
wow, this sounds amazing, where do you get xatxum gum at?
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Super Saturday Giveaway Linky — Enter, Share, Win!
I know you can order it on amazon, but I bought Bob’s Red Mill brand at Whole Foods:)
This looks awesome! I need to get me some castille soap!
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Pesto Parmesan Grilled Steak and Spinach Salad
I love peppermint body products. They are so refreshing. Thank you for sharing. I would love to try this.
Ann Bacciaglia recently posted…KickAss GiveAway Linky June 2014
I bet my Mom would love the small of that. What is the xanthan gum needed for?
valmg @ Mom Knows It All recently posted…REVIEW – Aqua Spa Bath & Body Energize Skin Care
It’s a thickener— gives you a shampoo consistency and it helps distribute the cleanser throughout scalp;)
Wow, how amazing… I have never thought of making my own shampoo… but I love this. Will have to try it out. Thanks so much
You’re welcome, Shauna! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, never would have thought of this! It has to smell great!!!
Jennifer Soltys recently posted…Summer Sun Protection Routine with NEUTROGENA Giveaway
Thanks so much Jennifer… It does smell good but interestingly enough the smell doesn’t ‘linger’…. which makes me even more glad I’m not using commercial shampoo. It made me realize how long fragrances would ‘stick’ in my hair.
How awesome! i bet it smells AMAZING!
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted recently posted…Animal Pants App {Review & $25 Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway}
Thanks Jennifer! We appreciate the feedback.
I’m sure your hair smells lovely after using that mixture. Does your hair lather well?
Marina recently posted…5 ways to make a road trip easy on kids.{#NetflixKids}
Marina, actually no. I believe it’s sodium laurel sulfate (sp?) that is what causes the lather in commercial shampoos. I’ve learned that just because it doesn’t lather a lot doesn’t mean the baking soda and castile soap isn’t cleansing. And without the chemicals my hair stays cleaner longer because I’m not stripping my skin – natural response is to send more oil.
You know, I’ve never thought about making my own shampoo. But around $3 for a gallon? I might have to give it a try, that’s an amazing price. Plus I bet it smells so good!
Liza @ Views From the ‘Ville recently posted…Easy Creamy Banana Vanilla Popsicle Recipe
Yeah, it’s a big savings Liza. I do use a bit more (the lack of chemicals makes it lather less so getting it to travel is usually more effort.) – but I don’t mind. I feel better knowing what I’m putting on my head. 🙂
Is there a conditioner you make to go along with it?