best quality Shikakai powder for hair

There is nothing that tests your patience more than trying to grow out your hair. The constant upkeep with regular trims, hair masks, and deep conditioning treatments is not something that everyone can sign up for. Let alone trying to figure out what to and what not to put in your hair. One thing that makes this task easier for me is using natural ingredients that won’t chemically damage my hair.

Shikakai, also known as the hair fruit, has been used as a hair care ingredient for centuries now. The Ayurvedic herb is often used as a shampoo replacement because of its excellent cleansing properties.

Popularly found in central India, Shikakai is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, K, and D, which help nourish hair and keep it healthy. The fruit is easily available, especially in powdered form. Here’s how it can help boost hair growth.

Benefits Of Shikakai For Hair Growth

1. Soothes Your Scalp

A healthy scalp is literally the foundation for healthy hair growth. Shikakai can soothe an inflamed scalp with its cooling antiseptic properties, restoring its health. It also helps maintain the optimum pH level of your scalp.

2. Fights Dandruff

Shikakai also has antifungal properties that help curb dandruff. This prevents issues like follicle-clogging and aggravation, leading to unhindered hair growth. It also effectively deals with dryness and itching.

3. Nourishes Your Follicles

Shikakai is a great source of essential vitamins. Its vitamin C content, especially, helps promote hair growth by giving your scalp a collagen boost. It is also a great source of antioxidants that help prevent free-radical damage.

4. Cleanses Your Hair

Shikakai is a natural mild cleanser. Which means that it cleanses your hair without stripping away the natural oils from it. Not only does this help keep your hair clean, but it also helps keep your hair conditioned.

5. Adds Shine

Shikakai helps add shine to your hair while also making it much more manageable. If you have a tangle problem, it would be a good idea to include this ingredient in your hair care routine.

6. Prevents Grays

Using shikakai can help put off your hair’s natural graying process. It also effectively deals with issues like premature graying. Washing your hair with shikakai before you dye it will also allow your hair to absorb the dye better.

7. Curbs Hair Loss

Shikakai helps curb hair loss by restoring scalp health. It effectively deals with issues like an aggravated scalp, follicle-clogging, dandruff, and itching. In many cases, curbing hair fall is as simple as restoring scalp health.

8. Prevents Lice

There is nothing more annoying than head lice. Especially when you have children, who are much more susceptible to them. Shikakai is a natural solution to a head lice problem; not only does it curb the problem but also keeps the head lice away for good with regular use.

How To Use Shikakai For Hair Growth

1. Shikakai Shampoo With Amla And Reetha

You Will Need

•           10g Shikakai pods

•           10g Reetha

•           5g Amla

•           750 ml Water

(You can also use the powdered forms of these ingredients.)

Prep Time

8 hours+20 minutes

Processing Time

5 minutes

Process

1.         Soak the ingredients in 750 mL of water overnight.

2.         In the morning, boil the water with the ingredients still in it until the pods completely soften.

3.         Let the water cool, and then mash the ingredients together. Strain the liquid and store it in a shampoo bottle.

4.         Rinse your hair with water and use the shikakai solution in place of your regular shampoo.

5.         You might have you wash your hair twice with the shampoo for it to lather. (Unlike store-bought shampoos, this will not lather much.)

6.         When a slight lather appears, it means your hair is clean and can be rinsed.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

Shikakai is an inexpensive and healthier alternative to using store bought shampoos that are laden with harsh chemicals. This natural shampoo helps nourish the scalp with nutrients like vitamin D and C while also cleansing it.

2. Shikakai And Curd Hair Mask

You Will Need

•           2 tbsp shikakai powder

•           2-3 tbsp curd

•           2-3 drops vitamin E oil (optional)

•           Shower cap

Prep Time

5 minutes

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1.         Combine the two ingredients to get a smooth paste with a thick consistency. Optionally, you can add a couple of drops of vitamin E oil to the blend for extra conditioning and damage protection.

2.         Apply this mask to your hair, working it in from the roots to the tips of your hair.

3.         Once your scalp and hair are completely covered in the mask, cover your hair with a shower cap to avoid a mess. Wait for 20 minutes.

4.         After 20 minutes have passed, proceed to rinse out the hair mask with cool water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo. If you have oily hair, you may skip conditioning.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Shikakai, in combination with curd, will help soothe your scalp of any inflammation or aggravation. It will also effectively deal with issues like dandruff and flaking while also nourishing your hair.

3. Shikakai And Egg

You Will Need

•           2 tsp amla powder

•           2 tsp shikakai powder

•           2 tsp fenugreek powder

•           2 tsp triphala powder

•           2 tsp brahmi powder

•           2 whole eggs

•           Shower cap

Prep Time

5 minutes

Processing Time

40 minutes

Process

1.         Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.

2.         Apply this mask to your hair, working it in from the roots to the tips of your hair.

3.         Once your scalp and hair are completely covered in the mask, cover your hair with a shower cap to avoid a mess. Wait for 40 minutes.

4.         After 20 minutes have passed, proceed to rinse out the hair mask with cool water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Do not use warm water as this may “cook” the egg.

5.         Finish with conditioner.

How Often?

Once a week.

Why This Works

This is one of the most nourishing hair packs you could use. It is power packed with egg proteins and ayurvedic ingredients that improve hair health. Using this pack once a week will ensure that your hair grows out to be strong and healthy. This is also a brilliant remedy for hair fall.

4. Shikakai Oil For Hair Growth

You Will Need

•           1 tbsp shikakai powder

•           Half cup basil/coconut/avocado oil

Prep Time

2 weeks

Processing Time

45 minutes-overnight

Process

1.         In a jar, combine the shikakai powder with half a cup of oil. You can use basil, avocado or coconut oil for this recipe.

2.         Store this mixture in a cool, dark place for a couple of weeks. Keep shaking the jar every now and then to ensure that the oil is well-infused with Shikakai. The oil will be ready to use after about 2 weeks.

3.         Once the oil is ready, take about 2 tbsp of it and start massaging it into your scalp.

4.         Massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes and then work the oil into your hair, from the roots to the tips. Leave it in for an additional 30 minutes. Optionally, you can leave the oil in your hair overnight.

5.         In the morning, wash the oil out with shampoo and cool water.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

This shikakai hair oil helps boost hair growth by improving the circulation of blood in your scalp. It also keeps your follicles nourished and your hair conditioned.

5. Shikakai And Honey Hair Rinse

You Will Need

•           1 tbsp shikakai powder

•           2 tbsp honey

•           1 tsp olive oil

•           1 cup filtered water

Prep Time

20 minutes

Processing Time

5 minutes

Process

1.         Heat the water in a pot until it comes to a boil. To the boiling water, add the shikakai powder and oil.

2.         Let the mixture steep for about 15-20 minutes with a lid on the pot. Strain the mixture, and to it, add the honey. Let it cool.

3.         Optionally, you can skip the 2nd step and directly add honey to the mixture if you want an exfoliating, gritty rinse. (This is not recommended for people with curly or dry hair.)

4.         Shampoo your hair as you normally would and then pour the shikakai solution through your hair.

5.         Massage it into your scalp and hair for about 5 minutes and then rinse it out with some cool water.

6.         Alternatively, you can replace your normal shampoo with this rinse because of shikakai’s cleansing properties.

How Often?

Once a week.

Why This Works

Use this rinse to add an instant shine to your hair. If you have dry hair, this rinse also makes for a good shampoo replacement. With regular use, it makes your hair shiny and soft, while also strengthening your roots and hair shafts.1.

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