Updated 11/20/14
I love this recipe but wanted to get more slip and more conditioning power into this conditioner. I now use Marshmallow Root Powder instead of the xanthan gum and guar gum combination.
Marshmallow Root Powder is an ancient healing herb that’s filled with amino acids and antioxidants. Good for hair and body, it’s filled with mucilage (: a gelatinous substance of various plants - as legumes or seaweeds - that contains protein and polysaccharides and is similar to plant gums), which is what gives this happy herb her famous slip!
Marshmallow Root Powder Benefits:
- softens
- conditions
- relieves scalp irritation
- works as a natural emollient
- controls frizz
- is an excellent detangler
- helps thicken homemade conditioning mixes
- used in a few of the most of the popular natural hair de-tanglers (Knot Today is one of my favorites:)
Add 1 tablespoon of marshmallow root powder to this mix, in place of the 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum and 1/4 teaspoon of guar gum.
All Things O-Natural has a great post on MRP and it’s internal, skin and hair benefits.
I ordered my MRP from mountain rose herbs but it seems to be easy to find online.
A 4 oz bag is $4.00, 8oz bag $7.00, 1lb bag $12.00. 
A little goes a long way and last me for forever! I bought some with horestail powder and linden leaf powder almost a year ago and I’m not even halfway through the bag! Samples anyone? Butters-n-Bars is also good.
Original Post
So it was the night before hair wash day, and I was looking for a deep conditioner recipe that included coconut oil and the “gums.” Yes, I’ve been playing around with guar gum and discovered a very nice conditioner.
This homemade conditioner was a bit of a shock because I had been reading about the benefits of xanthan gum. There are some great articles about xanthan and guar gum’s use in gels, conditioners, soaps, sauces, and soups. They are both all natural thickening agents that add moisture, decrease frizz, and contribute to overall healthy hair goodness!
Here’s the recipe:
1/4 tsp guar gum
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1 tbsp organic coconut oil
1 cup distilled or purified water
1 tsp flax oil
3 to 5 drops vanilla essential oil (or the essential of your choice)
*Optional: For healthy scalp and to stimulate hair growth, I added the following essentials to my mix…about 1 to 2 drops for each: rosemary, cedarwood, basil, bergamot. I also mixed aloe vera juice in with the water (mostly aloe vera juice with enough water to add up to 2/3 cup-Lavish loves it!)
The key to this recipe is the mixing. It’s best to blend this in a blender for about 2 to 5 minutes, or until it reaches the consistency or thickness that you like. I mixed it in my mixer after warming up the water for about 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave. This warmth felt great and added in a quick warm oil treatment for my scalp.
Sidenote: I love making this with my kids because it’s like a quick science project…to see the mix thicken before you eyes. Take a small amount of your water mixture and add the “gums” to it. Shake it vigorously and then allow it to set for about 5 minutes. (I’m such a nerd:)
Anywho, I dry detangled my hair, applied this conditioner and sealed the ends with a little homemade cocoa-butter pomade. It had been about 10 days since I washed my hair so I wasn’t expecting much. I originally planned to use this as a deep conditioner to use overnight and a rinse out conditioner after washing my hair.
Unexpected benefits from my Lavish Hair Notes:
- elongated curls
- gave hair lot’s of body (didn’t know my 4a/b/c hair could have this much body!)
- hair was really curly (conditioner has a gel like effect on the hair)
- hair felt very moisturized but not oily
- had shine
- hair had a fluffy-ness to it, not frizzy
My hair looked like I had just washed it so I wore a twist out again another day!
This recipe is definitely worth a try if you’re looking for a nice, healthy conditioner. I bought the xanthan gum and guar gum from my local health food store. Both are Bob’s Mills and can be found easily online as well.
You can find some great articles/recipes on guar gum and xanthan gum gels and diy conditioners. Here are a few great ones here and here.
This is an excellent recipe (aren’t most:) to play with depending on what your hair likes. You can increase or decrease the oils, even try a different one…(I hear hemp seed oil or safflower oil calling:) I kept this recipe as simple as possible so that I could add the essentials I wanted. Came out great!