Could you live without shampoo?

I attended a gastroenterology conference this weekend, and, as usual it fired up all sorts of brain cells. I always have to take some time to “digest” information I learn at these conferences before I can tell others about it. You’ll be told eventually, even about the Fecal Microbiota Transplant. (It is sort of what you think.)

But, I’m not ready yet. Last night I was catching up on all the blogs I read and I came across a post about not using shampoo. Well, it was a link to simplemom.net in a post by already pretty’s Sally McGraw.

Commercial shampoos and conditioners have all sorts of chemicals in them. Chemicals that really shouldn’t be near your skin. They also may have “natural” extracts and molecules which may not be good for you. During the conference I learned that some even have gluten, to which many are sensitive. In simplemom’s blog article she writes about going shampoo (and conditioner) free after reading about it several times.

Why stop shampooing? Shampoo is a detergent and it strips the oils from your hair.  Simplemom goes on to explain “Most shampoos also contain mineral oil, which is a byproduct when gasoline is distilled from crude oil. It’s added to shampoo (along with hundreds of other products) to thickly coat the strands, giving hair an artificial shine. And since it can’t absorb into skin, like the other ingredients, it acts as a barrier on our scalp, preventing oil from being released — thus requiring more shampoo to strip away the grease. This is why the more shampoo you use, the more you need.”

How does one clean hair without shampoo? It sounds like you can pretty much make up your own recipe depending on your needs but the simple version is baking soda and apple cider vinegar. (Separately, can you imagine the chemical reaction if you used both at the same time?) Now you don’t have to imagine it, see it on youtube!

First, mix one tablespoon baking soda with a cup of water. You can even reuse your old empty shampoo bottle for this. In another container mix one tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Then, wet your hair thoroughly. Apply the baking soda water to your scalp, starting at the crown and mainly focusing on the scalp. You shouldn’t use the whole amount unless you have a lot of hair. After a few minutes, just rinse. Then apply the apple cider vinegar water to areas of your hair that are dry, usually the ends, wait a few minutes and rinse it out.

When I told Mr. Inappropriate about this, he said something about “crunchy granola blah blah blah” and the guys at work laughing at him. But the more he thought about it, the more he was willing to experiment with it. Think of the savings on shampoo and conditioner if it works! So we will try the no shampoo experiment next week. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Spring Allergies

Every year at the end of January or beginning of February, I start getting an upswing in environmental allergy patients.  For us on the Oregon coast, this is when mold can take hold in your bathrooms and in your walls.  I even can smell it outside in some yards when I go for a walk.  If you are allergic to this mold, your eyes will itch, you may have a little bit of drainage down the back of your throat and perhaps a small headache. Sneezing, coughing and dark circles under the eyes are other symptoms.
It gets worse in March and April, when the scotch broom gets going.  If you are allergic to Scotch broom it may seem as if the symptoms are ten times worse than the allergy to molds.  For other folks it could be any one of a number of tree, weed and grass pollens that become airborne in the spring.
There is no one cure for these allergies.  Many people will use an over the counter medication such as antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eye drops.  
As a naturopathic physician, I’d like to offer some alternatives to these OTC medications:
*    Hepa air filter air purifiers really help quite a bit.  Keep it in the room you spend the most time in, usually your bedroom.  Make sure it’s rated for the size room you use it in. Clean the filter often.
*    Keep doors and windows closed and stay indoors during the morning when pollen counts are highest.
*    Wash your hair after being outside.
*    Change your pillowcase every few days.

I can just hear you asking, “Isn’t there something natural I can take for allergies?”  Yes, of course there is, but I think keeping the allergen away from you is a good first step.  Also, just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t make it safe for everyone.
Natural things that have worked well for my patients:
*    Stinging nettles.  In tea or capsule form 3 to 4 times per day away from meals, it works best if you start it before the allergy season.
*    Bioflavonoids, especially Quercetin.  Research shows that it blocks histamines and is anti-inflammatory.
*    NAC or n-acetyl-l-cysteine.  About 600mg every 4 to 6 hours helps to dissolve mucus.
*    Neti pot or nasal  irrigation.  Use warm water, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of baking soda to wash through your sinuses once or twice per day.

If your ears are bothering you because of allergies, try using dry heat on your ears.  I take an old sock, put a cup of either flax seeds or uncooked white rice in it and heat it up in the microwave no more than 3 minutes.  Then I wrap it in a cloth and put it on my ear for about 5 minutes. It can be reused over and over again.

Do you have some favorite spring allergy remedies?  Let me know in the comments below!