Discover 3 Shikakai Benefits for Hair

What is ‘Shikakai’?

We have mentioned shikakai previously in one of our blogs, as one of the top Ayurvedic herbs that help your hair. We thought this incredible ingredient deserved its own stand-alone feature article. So, without further ado here is the long awaited shikakai powder! It is a climbing plant also known as Shika, Acacia Concinna and the Soap Pod. This traditional herb is a potent Ayurvedic remedy that helps grow healthy long locks. The shikakai pod is long and brown, and is mostly grown and harvested in the tropical subcontinental Indian forests. The shikakai pods are packed full of vitamins and anti-oxidants, which enhance hair growth. These pods are known locally as ‘hair fruit’ due to their incredible ability to promote healthy hair growth, cleanse and sooth your scalp, nourish your hair follicles, reduce hair loss and control dandruff.

It is not surprising then, that these incredible ‘hair-fruits’ have been used for hair care in India for hundreds of years. The trees bark, leaves and pods are all rich sources of vitamin A, C, D, E and K. This incredible ingredient can be used in powdered or oil form to create shampoo, hair oil and nourishing hair masks, that all aim to increase hair growth.

Understanding the Benefits of Shikakai for Hair

1. Shines and softens your hair.

Shikakai contains essential nutrients and natural ingredients that improve the texture of your hair, especially in winter and the dryer months. This is because it is a natural surfactant, which means it cleanses your hair follicles and removes residual grease. Which softens your hair and makes it shine.

How to Use:

Boil 2 cups of water containing 2 to three teaspoons of Shikakai Powder this will make a semi-liquid paste. Once this is achieved, add another half a cup of water and two teaspoons of honey. Apply this paste to your hair as a natural home-made hair mask. Leave for 5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. If you want the best results possible, do this twice a week.

2. Gives you stronger and thicker hair.

We all dream of that shampoo hair worthy head of hair, but getting there can be harder for some of us than others, this is where our home remedy with shikakai powder comes in. Our hair mask is ideal for a lazy at home spa day, it will take roughly 25-30 minutes, and is well worth it. Shikakai’s active ingredients and vitamins encourage healthy hair growth and strengthens your hair from your roots to tips. It also helps prevent split ends, hair breakage and hair loss.

How to Use:

Make a paste using shikakai powder and fresh yoghurt. Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp, gently massaging with the tips of your fingers as you do so. Leave this hair mask on for 20-30 minutes, just enough time for an episode of your favourite TV show. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

3. Helps slow greying hair.

Premature hair greying is sadly becoming more and more common. If you want to fight this, we highly recommend incorporating shikakai powder into your hair care regime. It not only helps prevent premature hair greying, but it also helps prevent hair loss and strengthens your hair.

We suggest applying a hair pack with shikakai powder, amla powder and aritha powder to your hair once a wee