India is called the land of Ayurveda, and it is no surprise how a lot of our traditional herbal practices and beauty regimes are making a strong comeback in this era. Acacia concinna, or Shikakai, also known as the climbing shrub is just another such example. Just like Yoga is called food for the soul, Shikakai is known as fruit for hair. You will be amazed to know how many hair ailments Shikakai has the power of curing! It is truly a magical herb and this article covers the top 5 Shikakai benefits for hair growth, and the various ways in which you can use it in your hair care routine.

What is Shikakai?

Shikakai is an Ayurvedic herbal shrub that originated in India and retains numerous beneficial properties. It has various windfalls for the hair as well as the skin.

Popularly known as the hair-fruit, Shikakai promotes hair growth, controls dandruff, reduces hair fall and gets rid of skin issues. Moreover, not only these, there are many other shikakai powder benefits for hair, like cleaning scalp, providing relief from scaling, keeping roots strong and avoiding itchiness, greasiness, and dryness.

Other than being the magic ingredient for hair, it is also proven to heal you from bodily ailments like Swelling, Jaundice, intestinal worm infestation, piles, skin issues, herpes, and abdominal distension. Let's further understand in detail!

Why is Shikakai considered good for hair?

• Shikakai encompasses many vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K, as well as other antioxidants that facilitate hair growth.
• There are various micronutrients present in the medicinal herb that help in nourishing the hair follicles and making the hair grow faster naturally, without using any extra artificial supplements.
• Shikakai includes saponins that make it lather and easily usable when mixed with water and shaken gently. In simple words, shikakai can be used as a hair cleanser and does not need any artificial soaps made in the laboratory.
• Also, Shikakai for hair has essential nutrients that improve hair texture by cleaning the hair follicles and making your hair softer and shinier. You can boil 2-3 tbsp of shikakai powder in 2 cups of water, make a paste, add water and honey, and use it twice a week for beautiful, shiny hair.
• Besides, various Shikakai benefits for hair, it is also helpful in fighting dandruff and lice, keeping essential oils in your scalp. You can use shikakai pods for this, with lemon juice and use the water for regular hair wash. With this, say goodbye to dandruff and lice, and enjoy relief from itching for healthier hair.
• Using Shikakai for hair growth can have calming effects with its strong medicinal properties. Unlike chemical shampoos that may irritate sensitive scalps, Shikakai soothes without causing discomfort. For relief from pain and inflammation, apply a paste of roasted Shikakai powder, neem leaves, and turmeric on cuts, wounds, scratches, or a headache.

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What are some of the most beneficial properties of Shikakai?

Shikakai is loaded with several properties which are beneficial for hair, such as:

• Anti-inflammatory Properties

Shikakai is a herbal surfactant and is utilized for cleaning the scalp and also upholding hair follicles from the root, therefore avoiding any inflammation in the scalp.

• Anti-dandruff Properties

The medicinal herb decreases any kind of discomfort and dryness from the scalp, thereby giving relief from itching in the scalp, as well as dandruff.

• Wound-healing Properties

Shikakai has been used since ancient times not just to deal with a variety of hair and health-related problems but also to heal wounds on the scalp because of its medicinal properties.

• Anti-hair Fall Properties

The ancient herb also retains antioxidants that increase the oxygen flow in the scalp and lets the hair breathe, which helps in avoiding hair fall.

• Anti-fungal Properties

It also helps in combating fungus since it possesses antifungal as well as antibacterial properties.

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Benefits of Using Shikakai for hair growth:

Shikakai is Ayurveda’s most trusted ingredient to sort out hair issues, health issues, and gut health. So, if you're wondering, “What does shikakai do for hair”, then here are some of the benefits of shikakai for hair -

• Boosts Hair Growth

If you're someone who's troubled by hair loss, or losing sleep over it, and thinking of purchasing expensive cold-pressed hair products that promise to reduce hair loss, then before taking that step, you should definitely consider using shikakai. This natural hair cleanser is easily available online or even at your local grocery stores, and it can boost hair growth effectively. Packed with antioxidants, shikakai fights free radicals responsible for damaging your hair and scalp. Its cleansing action gently detangles your hair, which reduces breakage and consequent hair fall. Moreover, shikakai has abundant essential vitamins along with other micronutrients that nourish your scalp and facilitate hair growth.

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• Prevents Split Ends

Split ends are one of the most prevalent problems caused by straightening, various kinds of chemical hair treatments, and the production of free radicals. So often when split ends occur, people think there's only one solution, which is to get a haircut and hope that they don't reappear as the hair grows out. But, shikakai can be your saviour in this kind of situation. The medicinal herb contains antioxidants that neutralise the hair damage caused by free radicals. Along with this, shikakai also promotes sebum secretion in your scalp, providing moisture to your hair and preventing split ends.

• Delays the Onset of Grey Hair

While the salt and pepper look may be admired by some, it doesn't suit everyone. Unfortunately, many people experience premature greying of hair due to the stressful lives people lead nowadays, which is even more exacerbated by chemical hair treatments and harsh hair care products. However, Shikakai can help slow down the greying process, thanks to its antioxidant content. By nourishing the hair and healing the scalp, shikakai plays a great role in reversing premature greying.

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• Gentle Hair Detangling

In addition to preventing greying of hair, shikakai also acts as a gentle detangler for the hair. Its silky cleansing nature helps in the gentle detangling of the hair, which in turn reduces hair breakage and minimizes hair loss. This is particularly beneficial if you have thick, curly hair and are trying to transition to all-natural hair products.

• Acts as a natural hair cleanser

In spite of being free of any detergent properties or harsh soap, Shikakai still works as a natural and great hair cleanser. Using shikakai for washing your hair enables you to rinse away dust as well as other such impurities without removing any natural oils from your hair or scalp, and does not make them feel dry or frizzy after washing. In addition to this, Shikakai is also a great ingredient that you can use in your hair care routine if you want soft and glossy hair without wasting your money on expensive treatments at the salon.

Shikakai In Your Daily Hair Care Routine

Shikakai can also be used in combination with other Ayurvedic herbs, and this has only enhanced its properties as a powerful herbal ingredient. Here are some ways through which you can incorporate Shikakai into your daily hair care routine.

01. Shikakai as a Shampoo:

Shikakai serves as a great natural cleanser, by effectively removing dirt, oil, sweat, and other impurities from your scalp while also preserving the natural moisture of the hair. You can easily include shikakai into your hair care routine by making a shikakai shampoo at your house. Here's how you can do it.

• You have to start by soaking a few shikakai pods, seedless reetha, dried amla, and fenugreek seeds together in a large bowl of water and leave it overnight.
• The next morning, boil the mixture until the ingredients become soft, then allow it to cool completely.
• After cooling, strain the water, and then you can use it to wash your hair, to get soft, conditioned, and nourished locks.

02. Shikakai as a Hair Oil:

You can create your very own shikakai hair oil at home, instead of purchasing it from the market, and even enrich it with other essential ingredients that stimulate hair health, as well as nourish, condition, and enhance the lustre of your hair. Here's how you can make it:

• Start by combining a cup of almond oil and two cups of coconut oil with two to three tablespoons of shikakai powder.
• Transfer the mixture to a glass bottle, and shake it thoroughly several times, after which you can let it sit for roughly seven to 10 days. This stimulates the beneficial properties of shikakai as well as other ingredients to infuse into the oil and make it even more effective.
• After the waiting period is over, the shikakai hair oil is ready to be used and will provide nourishment, and conditioning, to your hair.

03. Shikakai as Hair Pack

Besides shikakai shampoo benefits, as well as using shikakai oil for hair growth, you can also include shikakai in your hair care routine as shikakai hair packs.

• Shikakai Hair Pack for Dry Hair - Make a hair treatment by mixing shikakai and yoghurt. Massage into hair, and rinse after 15-20 minutes. Repeat every other day for results in a week. Combine shikakai and amla powder in lukewarm water and let sit for 1-2 hours. Apply the paste to combat dryness and dandruff, and wash off after 30 minutes.

• Shikakai Hair Pack for Oily Hair - Cleanse oily hair and scalp effectively with a homemade shikakai shampoo. Just mix 2 tbsp shikakai powder, 1 tbsp green gram powder, and 0.5 tbsp methi powder with an egg white. Though it won't lather like store-bought shampoo, it works just as well.

• Shikakai Hair Pack for Dandruff - Shikakai works wonders for scalp problems. Mix shikakai powder, neem leaves, methi powder, and amla powder. Boil the mix for 10-20 minutes, mash it after cooling, and strain. Massage your scalp with this water, wait 30 minutes, then wash it off with cold water.

• Split ends Hair Pack - Mix shikakai powder with coconut oil, keep it cool, and use it on your hair twice a week. This blend helps keep your hair healthy and prevents split ends.

• Grey Hair Reversal Pack - Shikakai prevents early greying. Mix shikakai powder with half a cup of sour curd, apply to hair and scalp, then rinse after 20 minutes for healthy hair.

• Glossy Hair Pack - Make a natural shampoo by soaking 20g shikakai, 20g reetha, and 10g dried amla in 1.5 liters of water for 10 hours. Boil it for 5 minutes, then simmer for 30 minutes. Crush and strain the mix for a frizz-free, detangling hair solution.
  
  
• Shikakai for Hair Growth - Make hair growth oil by mixing shikakai with coconut oil. Store it in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks to let shikakai infuse. Shake it now and then for better results. Massage your scalp twice a week with this homemade oil for healthy hair.

How to create your own Shikakai Powder?

Having shikakai powder at your house is highly useful, as you can add it to various conditioners, hair masks, and shampoos, formulated to deal with different hair concerns. Instead of purchasing expensive shikakai powder, at stores, you can make your own powder at home very easily. Here are some steps which you can follow.

Step 01: Start by drying at least 10 to 15 shikakai pods in the sun until all moisture from the pods has been eliminated. If you want, then you can also include the bark as well as the leaves of the shikakai plant.

Step 02: Once the pods are thoroughly dried, put all the components together in a mixer and grind until they form a fine powder. Your Shikakai powder is ready.

Side Effects of Using Shikakai

Now that you know the shampoo, oil, and shikakai soap benefits for hair, you must be having a burning question like, “is Shikakai good for hair?”. Well, the answer is, not always. Here are some of the side effects of using Shikakai - 

1. Alkaline Nature - Shikakai's high alkalinity can disrupt the natural pH balance of the scalp, potentially leading to dryness, irritation, and dandruff if used excessively or in concentrated forms.
2. Allergic Reactions - Some individuals may be allergic to Shikakai, resulting in redness, itching, or scalp swelling. Conducting a patch test before regular use is advisable, especially for those with a history of allergies.
3. Over-Drying of Hair - Excessive use of Shikakai can strip the hair of its natural oils, causing dry, brittle strands prone to breakage. Moderation and the use of a moisturizing conditioner can help counteract this effect.
4. Effect on Hair Color - Shikakai's alkaline nature may potentially fade color-treated hair over time. Consultation with a professional is recommended for individuals with recently coloured hair.
5. Temporary Worsening of Lice and Dandruff - Shikakai's cleansing properties may initially exacerbate lice or dandruff issues before alleviating them. If problems persist, seeking advice from a healthcare professional is advisable.

Conclusion

Shikakai offers a multitude of advantages for hair care. It possesses antimicrobial and antifungal properties, effectively protecting your scalp from infections. It is also a valuable source of vitamin C, that nourishes the hair follicles and promotes overall hair health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What does shikakai do for hair?

If you wonder if Is shikakai good for hair, then wonder no more! Shikakai, an herb, is great for hair. It controls hair fall and dandruff. Use it alone or with Reetha and Amla as a shampoo to manage hair fall and prevent dandruff. Its cleansing and antifungal properties add shine to the hair and prevent greying. It's like a natural remedy for healthy hair!

Q2. Can I use shikakai daily?

Absolutely! You can use shikakai daily. It's gentle on your hair, keeping its natural oils intact. Shikakai leaves your hair super soft and conditioned. Unlike shampoos with harsh detergents that strip and damage your hair, shikakai is a much better choice for daily use. You can also use it in the form of oil, as there are many shikakai oil benefits for hair.

Q3. Does Shikakai make hair thicker?

Yes! There are many benefits of shikakai for hair, such as making hair thicker. It boosts sebum in the scalp, making hair roots stronger. Hair needs proteins and moisture to grow. Shikakai helps by making hair thicker and stronger. It naturally adds volume, revives sebaceous glands, and shields follicles from harm by free radicals. It's like a natural boost for healthy, strong hair!