Botanical name: Acacia Concinna
Sanskrit: Saptala
Hindi: Reetha
Malayalam: Inja
Tamil: Shikakai
Telugu: Cheekaya,
Kannada: Shigekayi,
Oriya: Vimala
Shikakai is a commonly used herb that has many remedial qualities. It is popularly referred as "fruit for the hair" as it has a naturally mild pH, that gently cleans the hair without stripping it of natural oils. Shikakai is used to control dandruff, promoting hair growth and strengthening hair roots. Shikakai naturally removes the dirt and excess oil accumulated on the scalp.
* Shikakai promotes hair in several ways:
* Provides new life to hair strands
* Strengthens hair roots
* Increases bounciness and silkiness of hair
* Promotes hair growth.
* It is also used to combat dandruff and lice.
The powder or the extract from the bark, leaves or pods is used as a hair cleansing agent. It is very effective in removing oil and dirt from hair. The normal practice is to apply oil to hair and scalp and allow it soak for some time. This will keep the body cool, reducing body heat and also prevent the scalp from getting dry. The powdered Shikakai is used as a shampoo to wash off the oil.
Since Shikakai is naturally low in pH, therefore it is extremely mild, and does not strip hair of its natural oils. Usually no rinse or conditioner is used since Shikakai also helps in the disentangling of the hair
Actually the bark of Shikakai is high on saponins - chemical compound; these act as foaming agents. Therefore Shikakai is such a good cleaning agent and hence has been traditionally used as a detergent
Usage:
Take a small portion of the powder in a bowl and add water. Stir gently until you get a paste. Apply on your hair instead of a shampoo and rinse well using water
Optional ingredients such as rose petal powder and hibiscus flower petal powder can be added for a pleasing fragrance and lustrous shiny hair
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