Princess Tree
Kelli Armes, Herbalist
Want to have long beautiful hair like a princess? Use me!
Said the Paulownia Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa). So …..who am I to argue, I mean I am just a
lowly human right? What the plants say I
do. So here is how I use the Paulownia
tree. Since I heard the tree first say
that I have found a few articles that say it has been used for hair
growth. I will try to find those again
and link them below.
Since my tree has yet to bloom, I am, at this current moment
only using the leaf. Though I do plan to use the flower along with the leaf in
the future.
Shampoo
Here is my ‘shampoo’ (ok there’s no soap in it but you can add some see the end)
In a medium sauce pan put:
2-3 small Princess leafs (or one large one) I let this dry a
little bit just enough to break the cell wall.
Some Rosemary (you know I don’t measure, just a few small
twigs with the leafs pulled off)
Nettle (see my previous note about measuring)
Coffee (ground) my hair is dark or cacao powder (leave this
out if you don’t have dark hair)
Essential oil (rosemary, mint, whatever) optional
I have also done this with JUST princess tree leaf and I
have done it with sage too. Feel free to
experiment. Find your own way! :D
I let this simmer on low all day long and it will usually
reduce by half the water amount. Strain.
Then I add about a tablespoon of baking soda and you can add essential oil (1
or 2 drops no too much) if you like because it doesn’t smell the best in the
world.
Note if you have blonde or light hair you should consider
herbs that won’t darken your hair (leave out the cacao or coffee too) and
depending on your hair type you may want to consider different herbs that
rosemary. This is a personal choice
experiment and have fun with it. :D
I bottle it and keep it in the fridge and use every other
day (note this depends on your hair type). Maybe if you have dry hair you use
it less often or add different herbs.
Princess Tree Hair Oil
Oil of your choice (olive, jojoba, argan or mix several up)
Princess tree leaf
Add your freshly dried leaf to your oil and let set in the
sun for several days (however long you like when you make herbal oil) or put in
a double boiler and heat for a few hours—again or however long you do for you
other herbal oils. You may add other
herbs (like you did in your shampoo) if you like and a little vitamin E. Add a
few drops to your hair from time to time to help condition it. I do this at night and put it in braids.
Princess Tree Vinegar
Again use a few leaves and chop them up very small and add
apple cider vinegar. Let steep out of
the sun for several weeks.
Use a rinse from time to time.
Add 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water
CLOSE YOUR EYES!
Vinegar burns!
Paulownia tree is considered invasive so many people do not
want it growing….that being said…. If it
does grow near you what better way keep it ‘in check’ than to use the leaves
(new sprouts) as they pop up out of the ground for your hair.
You can find out more about Paulownia here:
http://www.bellarmine.edu/faculty/drobinson/RoyalPaulownia.asp
If you use this please report back. I have been using this for several months (years now not just months as I update this blog) and I like it (after my profile pic on this page was taken, so that is not princess tree hair) I would love to hear feedback because no one I know uses it this way that I know of. :D
I will say my hair has gotten stronger since using and I don't loose as much as I used to while brushing. Should it not work for you discontinue use (always use common sense if something is not working for you).
UPDATE:
If you feel the need (for any of the no-poo method) to use a little soap, just add a SMALL amount of Castille soap to your mixture (about 1 teaspoon or less per cup--or play with it until you get what you like)
You can also add a little arrowroot powder and a tiny bit of brandy if you want to preserve it. BUT some people find the alcohol too trying to be cautious of this. I like it with tiny bit to help preserve the mixture.
If you use this please report back. I have been using this for several months (years now not just months as I update this blog) and I like it (after my profile pic on this page was taken, so that is not princess tree hair) I would love to hear feedback because no one I know uses it this way that I know of. :D
I will say my hair has gotten stronger since using and I don't loose as much as I used to while brushing. Should it not work for you discontinue use (always use common sense if something is not working for you).
UPDATE:
If you feel the need (for any of the no-poo method) to use a little soap, just add a SMALL amount of Castille soap to your mixture (about 1 teaspoon or less per cup--or play with it until you get what you like)
You can also add a little arrowroot powder and a tiny bit of brandy if you want to preserve it. BUT some people find the alcohol too trying to be cautious of this. I like it with tiny bit to help preserve the mixture.
