Washing your hair without using shampoo is possible. Among the alternatives to the classic shampoo we had already talked about we find chickpea flour and Moroccan ghassoul clay (also called rhassoul). Now let's talk about shikakai, a natural powder suitable for hair care of Indian origin.
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Washing your hair without using shampoo is possible. Between alternative allo shampoo classic that we had already talked about we find the chickpea flour and Moroccan clay ghassoul (also called rhassoul). Now let's talk about the shikakai, a natural powder suitable for hair care of Indian origin.
The shikakai is obtained fromAcacia constellation, a plant native to Asia. It is a natural extract sold in the form of a powder that is mixed with water to obtain a compound with a consistency suitable for application on the hair and scalp.
The word shikakai can be literally translated as "fruit for the hair". In the East, shikakai powder is considered a better approach to hair care than common shampoos. It is mainly used in the case of dandruff, For strengthen hair and to help them grow.
Shikakai works because it is made from bark of the Acacia concinna plant, which is rich in saponin, natural detergents. It is a mild product that is recommended for people with sensitive skin as an alternative to shampoo.
How to use shikakai to wash your hair
Using the shikakai is very simple. It is about prepare a creamy mixture by mixing this Indian powder with warm water. Once the mixture is prepared, you have to massage it into your hair and scalp just like one shampoo. It is left to act for a few minutes like a normal shampoo and rinse with warm water.
Alternatively you can use shikakai combined with water also as compress strengthening for the hair, increasing the rest times of the compound before rinsing. Shikakai is not an aggressive product, but if you have dry hair you can sprinkle it with a few drops of coconut oil before using the shikakai as a compress or shampoo.
In 'traditional use of shikakai, with reference to Indian women, the use of washing powder is preceded by a scalp massage with coconut oil or castor oil. The oil is left to act for 2 or 3 hours. Then we move on to a pack or a shampoo with the shikakai, to eliminate the oil.
To use the shikakai as a shampoo or as a hair pack, do this. Depending on the length of the hair mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of shikakai with hot water, adding it little by little, until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
When the mixture has cooled, apply it directly to damp hair and leave on for 10-15 minutes, in the case of normal shampoo. If you want instead make a compress with the shikakai, be aware that a time exceeding 30 minutes intensifies its effect on the scalp and hair. Massage the scalp and hair with the mixture of water and shikakai and finally rinse with warm water.
Where to find the shikakai
You can find shikakai powder as a natural alternative for washing hair in herbalist's shop, on the internet, especially in online shops of natural products for body and hair care, and in ethnic shops, where you might be able to find it near henna.
Be careful to choose shikakai pura. It is very important to choose a product that is truly natural. Look for the wording “Acacia concinna” on the packages which refers to the name of the plant from which the shikakai is obtained.
Marta Albè
Read also:
Ghassoul: from the earth the natural cleanser for body, face and hair
Hair: 6 natural alternatives to shampoo
Chickpea flour: 10 uses and recipes for DIY beauty treatments
