Leaving behind all the hairs products that claim to promote strong, healthy and shiny hair, shikakai has made its comeback with its amazing hair benefits. Because of its remarkable results, this hair fruit is taking the world of hair by storm.

For centuries shikakai has been used for hair care. But we can’t deny the fact that considering shikakai, traditional grandmother’s ingredient to wash hair we lured into using chemical loaded shampoos. Chemical loaded shampoos and hair products may have delivered instant smooth hair, but in long-term, they steal the natural oils resulting in dry scalp and increased hair fall. Many of us have now reverted to natural hair care ingredients.

What Is Shikakai?

Shikakai is a climbing shrub that is commonly found across the tropical forests on India and other parts of Asia. The seeds are crushed to make a powder that is used to treats scalp issues, hair growth and to treat other hair disorders. Also, its bark has saponins. When the bark powder is mixed with water, it moderately lathers the hairs.

For hair treatment, the bark, leaves and fruit pods of shikakai is dried in the sun and then grind to make powder. This powder is mixed with water to make a paste and is used to clean hair.

The botanical name of Shikakai is Acacia concinna. It is rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Also, it is rich in antioxidants that fight free radical damage. This hair fruit is also rich in many micronutrients that nourishes the scalp and promotes hair growth.

Let’s have a profound knowledge of the benefits of shikakai for hair

Benefits Of Shikakai For Hair

1. Mild Hair Cleanser- The low pH of this hair fruit makes it a mild hair cleanser. It maintains the natural pH of the scalp. As a result, our scalp is neither too dry or too oily. It does not strip the natural oil from scalp. Hence scalp is healthy. Shikakai is a natural cleanser that lathers mildly and thus cleans the hair and scalp along with improving the texture of hair.
2. Makes Hair Soft And Shiny– Being rich in vitamin E shikakai moisturizes your hair and keeps the hair cuticles closed. The silky cleansing property of shikakai makes hair soft, tangle free and easy to manage. This, in turn, reduces hair damage and hair loss. Shikakai is boon for those with curly, unruly hair.
3. Treats Dandruff- As discussed above this wonderful grandmother’s hair cleansing ingredients is rich in antioxidants. It maintains the natural pH of the scalp that does not allow fungi to thrive. Thus, regular use of shikakai can treat dandruff.
4. Treats Dry Scalp- Being a cooling agent our hair fruit soothes the scalp, reduces inflammation and heals minor abrasion and cuts on the scalp. Not only it cleanses the scalp but also induces the secretion of sebum that keeps scalp hydrated and prevents dry scalp.
5. Promotes Hair Growth– The antifungal property of shikakai prevents follicle-clogging. Being rich in vitamin C, it nourishes hair follicles, stimulates the collagen production and promotes hair growth.
6. Gives Thicker And Stronger Hair- Everybody desires thick and strong hair. Shikakai is a cheap way to attain thicker, stronger, long and bouncy hair.
7. Conditions Hair- Those who have dry hair suffers from an itchy scalp. On scratching dry scalp, you will witness white flakes that are not dandruff. To treat the itchy scalp, you need to apply hair moisturizers, hair oil and hair conditioners. Shikakai makes hair porous, increases the moisture holding capacity of the scalp and its anti-inflammatory abilities eradicate itchiness.
8. Benefits Oily Scalp Too– The over-reactive sebaceous glands of scalp leads to excessive oil production that attracts the dirt and makes hair sticky as well as produces dandruff. In worse cases, hair roots are clogged and lead to hair loss. Being porous shikakai helps to get rid of oily scalp and that too without taking away the unwanted sebum from scalp and hair moisture.
9. Prevents Greying Of Hair– This traditional grandmother’s hair cleansing ingredient is rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals and prevents premature greying of hair and retains the youthfulness of hair for long.

Those who already have grey hairs and apply dye (we strongly recommend to use homemade hair dye or hair dye with natural ingredients) are advised to wash your hair with shikakai first so that dye is absorbed better in your hair.

10. Prevents hair lice- Hair lice is annoying. Children are more susceptible to them. They cause irresistible itching. Scratching a lot leads to scalp inflammation. Do not worry as we have the natural solution to prevent lice. Regular use of shikakai halts the growth of lice eliminates them and keeps lice at bay.
11. Prevents Split Ends- Pollution, chemical shampoos, poor diet and hair styling causes split ends. Except for haircut, there is no way to heal split ends. After the haircut, there comes shikakai as your saviour. It neutralizes damage-causing free radicals, promotes secretion of sebum, moisturizes hair and prevents split ends in the future.
12. Relieves Stress- As shikakai has a cooling effect, it is used to massage head to alleviate stress and headache.

How To Use Shikakai For Hair

How to use shikakai will depend on your hair type and hair problems. Below are the ways to use shikakai for hair care.

1. To Treat Dandruff

Things Needed:

• Shikakai powder- 2 tablespoons
• Yoghurt- 2 tablespoons
• Neem Powder- 4 tablespoons

What To Do:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and leave it for half an hour. Apply the paste to your scalp. After half an hour rinse it off with plain water. Repeat this 2-3 times in a week.

*If you are unable to bear the smell of neem powder you may add 1-2 drops of volatile oils such as lavender essential oil or rosemary oil.

2. To Get Rid Of Greasy Scalp

Things Needed:

• Shikakai powder- 2 tablespoons
• Green gram flour- 1 tablespoon
• Fenugreek powder- 1 tablespoon
• Egg white of 1 egg

What To Do

Make a thick paste mixing all the ingredients. Apply the paste to your scalp and leave it for an hour. This is followed by washing your scalp and hair. Repeat this three times in a week.

3. To Get Rid Of Split Ends

Things Needed:

• Dry pods of the shikakai- A handful
• Coconut Oil- Half the amount of dry shells of shikakai.

What To Do

Crush the dry pods  of shikakai. Boil them in a pan filled with the coconut oil for 20 minutes. Strain the oil. Use this oil instead of your regular hair oil. Massage your scalp with it and also apply the oil to your hair. Leave it overnight and then in the morning shampoo as usual. Repeat this at least 2-3 times a week.

4. To Control Hair fall

Ingredients Needed

• Soapnut powder- 1 tablespoon
• Shikakai powder- 2 tablespoon
• Egg- 2 whole eggs
• Gooseberry powder- 1 tablespoon

What To Do

Blend all the ingredients and make a smooth paste. Add a little warm water if needed. Make sure paste is not runny. Apply the paste to your scalp and hair. Leave it for half an hour and then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this two times a week.

5. To Get Rid Of Hair lice

Things Needed

• Shikakai powder- 1 tablespoon
• Sesame oil- 1 tablespoon
• Neem leaves powder- 2 tablespoon
• Camphor oil- 1 teaspoon

*Double the ratio if you have long hair

What To Do

If you do not get camphor oil in the market, melt camphor tablets in a pan. Use a flat pan and a candle for this. Make sure not to overheat, or it will catch fire. Blow off the candle as soon as the camphor melts. Let the camphor oil cool down and add rest of the ingredients. Mix well and apply to your scalp and hair. Leave it for 30 minutes and then comb your hair using a fine teeth comb to eliminate lice. Repeat this three times a week.

6. To Prevent premature Greying Of Hair

Ingredient Needed

• Shikakai powder- 3 tablespoons
• Curry leaves paste- 1 tablespoon
• Curd- 1 tablespoon

What To Do

You have to crush The curry leaves to make the paste. Mix the ingredients. If needed add water. Apply the mixture to your scalp and after 20 minutes of hair wash as usual with a mild shampoo. Repeat this two times in a day to prevent premature greying of hair.

7. For Dry Hair Treatment

Things Needed

• Shikakai powder- 2 tablespoons
• Curd- 1 tablespoon
• Olive oil- 2 tablespoon

*You may also use almond oil if olive oil is not available.

What to do

Mix the ingredients to make a paste and massage scalp with it after half an hour, wash your hair. Use it whenever you plan to wash your hair.

How To Make Shikakai Hair Wash

Shikakai hair wash can be used to wash all hair types. It boosts hair growth, safeguards natural hair oil and cleans the scalp.

Shikakai hair wash is a better alternative to chemical loaded shampoos.

Things Needed

• Shikakai powder- 2 tablespoon
• Amla powder- 2 tablespoon
• Reetha powder- 2 tablespoon
• Glycerine- 2 tablespoon
• Rose water- 4 tablespoons

What To Do

Mix the ingredients. Use the mixture as shampoo. Apply to your scalp and hair and then wash it off with water.

Shikakai is a natural alternative to harsh chemical loaded hair products. But apart from the  benefits of shikakai for hair, you have one more reason to use it; shikakai is cheap and easily available.