This shampoo has a slightly thicker texture, but it is still much lighter and more fluid compared with most commercial shampoos. It creates a gentle lather when washing, though the foam is also lighter and softer than conventional shampoos.
The meditation retreat took place during the summer. On each floor of the dormitory building, the first room had a refrigerator. The Taoist nun washed her hair every three days, and after each use, she stored the shampoo in the refrigerator.
This shampoo contains a core set of traditional herbal ingredients:
- Soapberry (Zao Jiao)
- Soapnut (Wu Huan Zi)
- He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti)
- Chinese Arborvitae Leaf (Ce Bai Ye) — grown and harvested directly from their own Taoist temple garden
The other herbs were purchased from a traditional Chinese herbal pharmacy. These ingredients form the core formula of the shampoo.
In addition to the fixed formula, there was also a seasonal and ever-changing part.
Because they had the tradition of gathering and preparing herbs themselves, they would sometimes add seasonal botanicals into the preparation, such as honeysuckle or Tou Gu Cao (a traditional herb commonly used in Chinese herbal practices).
That is why each batch may have a slightly different aroma — every bottle carries the natural character of the herbs used at that time.
