Hi!

Good morning! How are you with the sun coming back?

Time to take care of our hair and our curls. You know that I am an adept of natural cosmetics and ayurvedic powders. I shared with you on Instagram my weekly routine and thought It might be interesting to make a blog post and a video about it to explain you the benefits of each product I am using in case you would like to try.

The first recipe I am sharing with you is a No Poo mask for dry Curly hair. The results are really good and you obtain beautiful curls.

Homemade shikakai shampoo can be done very easily, if you have the ingredients at home. The shampoo is made with natural ingredients and it doesn’t have any harsh chemicals in it. This shikakai shampoo leaves the hair soft and silky. All the ingredients for this shampoo are already dried, so you can buy them in bulk, store and use it year round. The ingredients for this homemade shampoo are shikakai, amla powder(gooseberries)and Kapoor kachli powder. Shikakai has been used for centuries for hair wash in India. Dried gooseberries {Amla powder} condition the hair leaving it soft. This home made shampoo will not lather like the regular surfactant based shampoos, but it will cleanse the hair well. To completely remove the oil from the hair, use this shampoo twice.

INGREDIENTS

So let’s start with the ingredients. What Do you need?

Ayurvedic Powders

~ Shikakai Powder:

For Shine and softness: Shikakai 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.

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.

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.

~ Amla Powder

Amla powder is dried and powdered indian gooseberry. Revered in Ayurvedic medicine, it’s been used for thousands of years as one of the most potent and nourishing herbs in India.

Amla can be used as a remedy for hair loss. Amla nourishes hair, making it thicker and stronger. Amla also provides luster to hair that is dull and dry. You can also control conditions like premature graying of the air with the help of amla. Amla moisturizes the scalp to help control dandruff and other issues related to the scalp.

While there are numerous benefits to consuming this herb, amla powder naturally supports healthy, shiny hair and glowing skin.

Amla powder boosts natural curls and wavesAmla powder enhances hair volume – It leaves hair soft and fluffy, without undesirable puffy volume.

~ Kapoor Kachli Powder:

Kapoor Kachli powder comes from a small ginger plant that grows to about 1m. The latin botanical name of the plant is Hedychium Spicatum. Even though it’s considered a kind of ginger, Kapoor Kachli is not a sub-species of Zingiber officinale, which is the Latin name for the ginger root we buy at the grocery store. The English name for the plant from which the herb comes from is Spiked Ginger Lily; characteristically named after it’s spikes and lily like flowers.

Kapoor kachli promotes hair growth, makes hair grow thicker, tones the scalp and enhances hair shine. The ginger fragrance leaves the hair smelling great. Kapoor Kachli is an ayurvedic natural remedy that can help boost hair growth.

Here are some benefits:
– has antioxidant and restorative properties
– contains a high level of phenolics (antioxidants) and alpha tocopherol (a form of vitamin E)
– is a herbal remedy that promotes hair growth by stimulating the roots
– makes hair grow thicker
– has conditioning properties when used with Ghassoul, Shikakai and Reetha (Aritha) Powder.
– has antiseptic properties benefitting to the scalp.
– helps to detangle the hair
– adds shine and gives a pleasant fragrance to hair

Vegetable Oils

~Mustard seed oil

If you wish for long, thick and lustrous hair, then mustard oil is a good solution for a healthy mane. Be it consumption or application, mustard oil provides essential nutrients to the hair follicles for proper growth.

Ancient people from Rome and Greek used to massage their hair with mustard oil so it is believed to be true that we can use mustard oil for hair growth. It contains huge amounts of zinc and selenium and lacking in these two nutrients, our hair begin to fall so to fight with hair loss, we should regularly use mustard oil in our food. It also serves an amazing purpose of hair regrowth.

The practice of massaging mustard oil into the scalp to regrow hair actually dates back to some 4,000 years ago. Besides regrow your hair, it also strengthens your scalp muscles and helps reduce headaches. With the regular use of this oil, you’ll gain long thick hair within a few months.

Mustard oil for hair is beneficial because it is rich in fatty acids and it nourishes your hair to their roots and improves the growth of hair follicles. For best results, after massaging mustard oil in your scalp, cover your head with a warm cloth to allow it to easily absorb in your skin. Gently massage your hair and take care not to be too harsh or it may damage your hair. Massaging your scalp will stimulate blood circulation and boost hair growth within days.

~Broccoli seed oil

Broccoli seed oil is a valuable softening agent and emollient that is used in many skin and hair care products and make up. The fatty acid content and structure of this oil makes it a very good oxidative stabiliser. The oil is about 50% Erucic Acid which is an an Omega 9 fatty acid that helps to give a glossy shine to hair just like silicone would. As it has a light consistency and penetrates into the hair easily, it does not leave the hair greasy when used in warm oil treatments and deep conditioners.

In skin care products, it reduces the overall ‘greasiness’ of the product and helps to speed up the hydration of the skin. It also gives a sheen to dull and lifeless skin. Very effective when added to massage products, creams and lotions.

Ylang Ylang hydrosol

Ylang ylang balances oil production in all skin types, especially those of us oily skinned beauties. When used on your hair and scalp, it stimulates hair growth.

Like Lavender, it is thought to reduce stress. Long used to increase the thickness of the hair shaft and to grow thicker hair. Can have a balancing effect on scalp oil production, and may help with split ends.

Ylang ylang has been reputed to stimulate hair growth and is a natural hair conditioner.

Ylang ylang is said to stimulate hair growth and might be a useful addition to a shampoo or conditioner. Over the years it has proved to be the best for skin and hair…& it continues to do so.

Honey

If you have dry or damaged hair, honey can help. A natural humectant, honey attracts moisture. It’s also full of antioxidants and nutrients to feed hair follicles that house the live part of hair, encouraging hair growth. That being said, it also needs a medium to help spread it around, otherwise you can end up with just a sticky mess, so the recipes include other natural ingredients that help you restore dry hair to a health and luster, from the scalp up.

Lemon Juice

Lemons are the nature’s wonderful gift with versatile uses and benefits. These amazing citrus fruits are filled with several nutrients including vitamin C, magnesium, calcium and flavonoids making them great for healthy hair, skin and body. Here is why this small size yet incredible fruit can enhance hair growth.

Lemons are richest sources of vitamin C that help in making hair stronger and longer.
Fresh lemon juice stimulates hair growth besides strengthening the hair follicles.
Limonene, a compound found in lemon juice imparts shine to frizzy and dry hair.
The anti-fungal property of lemon juice combats dandruff causing fungus and also provides relief from other scalp infection.
The acidic property of lemon gently cleans away accumulated dust, dead cells and other unwanted deposits from scalp and hair.
Besides encouraging healthy hair growth, the refreshing smell of lemon leaves hair smelling sweet and good.