3 Reasons Why Shikakai Is Good For Hair

Natural herbs are considered best to use in hair care. Like herbal shampoos, hair wash, hair packs etc. One such herb that is widely used and gives extremely amazing result for hair is, shikakai. Basically we use Shikakai fruit pods that contain tiny seeds that we throw away. Other than that shikakai has various benefits and its plant’s bark and leaves are also used. You can get shikakai from the market in powder or dried fruit form. Shikakai can be used as a hair wash, herbal shampoo or even hair pack to get rid of various hair related problems. Let’s see what are the benefits of shikakai first before starting off with the uses of shikkakai.

Shikkakai usually doesn’t lather much until it is mixed with reetha which is also called as soapnut but still shikakai effectively cleanses the scalp and hair. It can be considered as a mild hair cleanser which is good for dry scalp as it doesn’t take away too much of the natural oils from the scalp.

# Shikakai for Shine and softness

It adds shine to the hair and hair looks much softer. When the shikakai powder is used as a hair pack or as a hair cleanser, it makes the hair softer, which detangles the hair easily. After the wash shikakai also adds subtle shine to the hair.

# Shikakai for Dandruff

Shikakai has anti-fungal properties and other nutrients to nourish the scalp. This is why shikakai helps reducing the dandruff infection from the scalp and nourish the dry itchy scalp simultaneously. Regular use of shikakai will soon help treating dandruff from the scalp.

# Shikakai for Stronger, thicker hair

Shikakai is also used to make hair roots stronger and healthier. Use shikakai as a mild hair cleanser, hair pack or as infused with the oil. Boil some dried shikakai in coconut oil and use that oil to massage the scalp. This is a good remedy to strengthen the hair.

How to apply Shikakai for hair

# Use of Shikakai as Shampoo

This natural fruit can be used to make Homemade natural shampoo. The recipe of this Shikakai shampoo is very easy. It is natural and devoid of chemicals. It’s usage can be at least once in a week to get the mentioned benefits and results.

Soak some dried Shikakai pods, some Reetha (soapnut) and dried amla in water at night and the next morning, Boil that water till the pods gets softer enough to be mashed with hands. Let it cool and strain the mixture. Use the water as shampoo to clean the scalp. It may not lather like the store bought shampoos but is mild and very natural. You can also take powder of these three so that it will not take a lot of time to boil it or keeping it overnight.

# Use of Shikakai as Hair Pack

Shikakai can be used as a hair pack as well. Hair packs with shikakai are extremely beneficial for the treatment of dandruff and other scalp related problems as we mentioned in the benefits of shikakai. For the hair pack, you will need dried shikakai or shikakai powder, neem leaves, fenugreek powder and some dried amla. Boil all of them in a cup of water. Boil them for 15 minutes and then let it cool. Mash the contents with hands and strain the water. Use that water to massage the scalp and hair. Keep it for 30 minutes and rinse off with plain water.