Shikakai has been used traditionally for hair care in the Indian Subcontinent since ancient times. It consists of the fruits of the plant Acacia concinna Linn. (Leguminosae), It is a medicinal plant that grows in tropical rainforests of southern Asia and is used for washing hair. It is one of the Ayurvedic medicinal plants. It is a climbing shrub native to Asia, common in the warm plains of central and south India. The tree is food for the larvae of the butterfly Pantoporia hordonia. The species is invasive in New Caledonia. Shikakai is recognized by many names in the world. Shikakai is a Urdu synonym which is used very commonly. Fruit of Hair, Senegalia rugata are English synonyms of it and in other languages it is called as follows;
Bengali : Ban ritha
Malayalam Name :Cheeyakayi, Chinik-kaya, Shikai Cheenikka.
Kannada Name :Sheegae, Shige kayi, Sigeballi.
Oriya Name :Vimala.
Nutritional value and chemical constituents of Shikakai:
Shikakai is highly nutritious. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like:
Vitamin A,
Vitamin C,
Vitamin D,
Vitamin E,
Vitamin K
Antioxidants.
It consists of Chemical constituents like:
Glucose,
Arabinose,
Rhamnose,
Oxalic acid,
Citric acid,
Ascorbic acid,
Tartaric acid,
Succinic acid,
Alkaloids,
Calyctomine,
Nicotine,
Hexacosanol,
Spinasterone.
Shikakai characteristics as per Ayurveda
Rasa ( taste) -Tikta (bitter)
Virya ( potency) - shita (cold)
Vipaka ( taste after digestion)- katu (pungent)
Guna (quality) - laghu (light to digest)
Effect on dosha - vatala (increases vata dosha)
Benefits of Shikakai for Hair:
Adds shine and softness:
Shikakai's natural ingredients make your hair soft and smooth and add a beautiful shine to that too.
Helps you get rid of dandruff:
Shikakai's antimicrobial activity characteristics replenish your scalp while also preventing itching and dryness. Shikakai can be used on a regular basis to treat dandruff.
For more information to get rid of dandruff visit our post 'How to manage DANDRUFF?'
Stronger hair roots:
Shikakai strengthens the hair root which leads to thicker and stronger hair. Also it protects your scalp and nourishes it
Prevents a dry scalp:
Shikakai works great on a dry scalp by functioning as a natural cleanser that does not remove essential oils.
Delays gray hair:
Shikakai can basically slow it down and delay the appearance of graying hair, allowing you to keep your hair's natural youthful appearance for a longer period of time.
Removes hair lice:
Shikakai cleans the scalp and it also eliminates the hair lice.
How to use: few drops of lemon + shikakai powder and apply it to the scalp. wash it after 30 minutes. (6)
Heals minor wounds:
Shikakai is calming and soothing on an irritated scalp, and it can truly heal slight skin irritation on your scalp.
How to use: Apply shikakai powder with rose water/ honey on wounds
Soothes your head:
A shikakai hair pack can provide cooling relief on a warm day, alleviate a headache, or ultimately serve as a calming hair pack.
Gently detangles hair:
Anyone having curly hair can use it after taking shower for smooth and detangled hair since shikakai conditions and makes hair smooth.
It is cheaper and better:
Shikakai is way cheaper and comes in large quantities even in small amounts as compared to any marketed shampoo.
Now that you know of the many advantages, learn how to use shikakai :-
By itself shikakai doesn’t lather up much, but when mixed with reetha (soap nut) it is an excellent way to clean your hair and scalp. Here are the many ways you can use shikakai for your hair.
Shikakai hair mask:
Reetha powder with shikakai: Reetha is known as a natural cleaning agent and it removes all the impurities and dirt out of the hair scalp. Shikakai maintains the moisture level and nourishes the scalp.
Shikakai with methi powder: Methi stimulates the growth of hair and also responsible for conditioning of hair.
Shikakai with amla: Using shikakai with amla helps get rid of dandruff. how to use- half cup of shikakai powder + one cup amla powder to warm water, mix it and allow it to set for 2 hours. apply the paste to hair for 30 minutes and wash it off.
How to use it: Take the required amount of shikakai ( according to your hair length) + add curry leaves water ( take 10/15 curry leaves and boil it in water for 15 mins) Allow the paste to soak overnight . Apply it on your hair-scalp and keep it for 1-3hours. If you are running out of time then you can keep it for half hr.
Tip- you can also add amla powder, methi powder and amla powder in combination with shikakai.
Shikakai - curd hair mask [5]:
When shikakai is used with curds it helps cleansing and if you have any inflammation the mask will help to reduce the damage.
Shikakai with egg [5]:
As we all know egg is beneficial and rich with proteins, vitamins Using egg with shikakai will do wonders to hairs.
Shikakai with honey [5]:
If you have dry hair Using shikakai with honey will let your hair shine and also smoothens the hair.
Shikakai shampoo:
Soak Shikakai pods, Amla and Reetha nut in water overnight. Boil the water the next day. Mash the contents in the water. Filter the water and use it as a shampoo.
Shikakai oil:
Add one spoon of powdered Shikakai to half a cup of coconut oil. Mix it well and leave the mixture for a few hours. Apply it to the scalp 2-3 times a week.
Benefits of shikakai for skin:
Effective in treating scabies. You can use shikakai to treat skin ailments like scabies.
Use shikakai to treat spots.
How to use: Take half a teaspoon of shikakai powder and mix it with a tablespoon each of cream, almond powder and turmeric and apply it on skin. To treat minor cuts and boils on your scalp. Shikakai is a cleansing agent
Benefits of shikakai as laxative:
Shikakai is used as a laxative in the treatment of constipation And piles. Drink shikakai infusion for laxative.
Shikakai Infusion recipe:
Remove the seeds of Shikakai after crushing the fruit.
Soak it in 1 glass of water for at least 1 hour.
Take 1/4 glass of this infusion before sleeping to control constipation and piles or, have it before food to improve appetite
Facts:
Shikakai have excellent cleansing properties. In textile conservation there has been a search for a suitable biodegradable detergent for the wet cleaning of historic textiles.
In ayurveda, the property of shikakai is cold . It is said that shikakai when applied to hair reduces stress.
Side effects:
It may make the scalp oily if used regularly.
Excessive shikakai consumption might cause nausea and even loose feces.
Consumption of these remaining seeds boiled in lukewarm water can be hazardous.
Shikakai can also cause dry skin if used often.
Acute: Inhalation: None expected when used under normal conditions.
Skin Contact: None expected when used under normal conditions.
Eye Contact: Direct contact with the eyes is likely irritating.
Daily intake of Shikakai Powder - 1-2 teaspoons or as per your requirement.(Recommanded dose)
Precaution:
Breastfeeding: Avoid Shikakai or use only under medical supervision during breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Avoid Shikakai or use only under medical supervision during pregnancy.
Note: Shikakai can cause asthma and respiratory problems if used excessively.
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