DIY Shikakai Shampoo Recipe – This 100% herbal shampoo makes use of various herbs to make sure your hair is gently cleansed and conditioned without stripping it of its natural oils.

CONTENTS

• Video Instructions
• FAQ
• Ingredient benefits
• Shikakai shampoo recipe
• How to make shikakai shampoo

INGREDIENTS

SHIKAKAI PODS | SOAP NUTS(REETHA) | AMLA | FLAX SEED | FENUGREEK SEEDS | FRESH ALOE VERA | RICE WATER

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

HOW DO YOU STORE SHIKAKAI SHAMPOO?

You can store this herbal shampoo in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Freeze the rest of the bottles for later use.

DOES REETHA OR SHIKAKAI MAKE YOUR HAIR BLACK?

Shikakai and Soap nuts per se does not change your hair colour, They leave your hair soft, healthy, strong and lustrous so your hair do not have that dry orangish tint when sunlight reflects on it.

When combined with herbs like Amla or Henna, You could prevent premature greying of the hair. Consistent use of this cleanser along with homemade herbal hair oils like Amla oil will help darken your grey hair to a certain extent.

Also, balance your PITTA properly as its imbalance can directly lead to grey hair even if you are in your 20’s.

DOES AMLA, REETHA, SHIKAKAI REGROW HAIR?

Yes, absolutely.

As long as you hair loss is not due to health issues, you should be able to see a difference within a couple of months.

• Address issues like Anaemia, Thyroid and Gut health problems, hormonal imbalances and stress to have healthy hair and skin.

I have mentioned the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants present in each of the ingredients below so do check that out. This will help you get a better understanding on why they are good for your hair.

DOES REETHA MAKE YOUR HAIR DRY?

Soap nuts or Reetha contains saponins which helps get rid of sweat, dirt and oil. Although it is a gentle cleanser, the effects may be different on every hair especially if your hair is already dry or damaged.

So start by using a small amount like, 4 soap nuts and 2TB of flax seeds, see how it fares on your hair and scalp. Work with it until you find the perfect amount for your hair.

IS SHIKAKAI SHAMPOO GOOD FOR HAIR?

Shikakai shampoo helps cleanse as well as nourish the hair and scalp. It keeps the scalp free of dandruff and other infections.

The vitamins, minerals and amino acids help soothe inflammation and dry scalp conditions. Regular use helps regrow hair, strengthen the roots and hair, reduces hair fall thus making it thicker and lustrous.

Shikakai shampoo helps add softness and shine to the hair. It is also easy to detangle hair even with your fingers.

SHIKAKAI BENEFITS FOR HAIR

Most of you might already be familiar with the cleansing properties of Shikakai but it also has Antiseptic, Antibacterial and Anti fungal properties.

Shikakai contains Vitamins like A, C, D, E and Vitamin K which helps maintain a balance between cleansing and conditioning of your hair.

This also helps treat and prevent dandruff and other scalp conditions like eczema, itching, scabies, and lice.

The antioxidants in shikakai helps promotes hair growth and reduce hair loss. Regular use ensures thicker frizz free hair.

It does repair dry, brittle and damaged hair and also prevents split ends.

REETHA BENEFITS FOR HAIR

Soap nuts does lather and cleanses the hair and scalp of oil, sweat and dirt. It also helps prevent dandruff and dry scalp conditions. Using soap nuts helps cool your body heat too. This cooling effect is especially beneficial in hot summers.

AMLA BENEFITS FOR HAIR

Indian Gooseberry is rich in Vitamin A, C and amino acids which helps promote hair growth, reduces hair loss and prevent baldness.

Amla helps strengthen the hair strands and roots. Regular use repairs hair and improves the hair texture. Dried amla being Antibacterial and Anti fungal helps treat and prevent scalp infections from lice and other parasites.

The most important benefit is its ability to prevent premature greying of the hair. That is why we are using this in our shampoo and hair masks.

ALOE VERA GEL FOR HAIR

Aloe Vera acts as a conditioner for both the hair and scalp. It helps repair dry, damaged hair and improves the overall appearance of the hair.

Using Aloe being anti-inflammatory reduces itchy scalp and other inflammation. It hydrates the scalp and prevents dandruff.

FENUGREEK SEEDS

Fenugreek seeds contains Vitamin A, B, C and K and also minerals which helps nourish the scalp, prevent thinning of the hair and promote hair growth.

These seeds helps hydrate the hair and scalp. it does fight against hair fall and dandruff too. This tiny herb prevents balding, hair fall and dandruff.

SHIKAKAI SHAMPOO RECIPE

📌FOR NORMAL-DRY HAIR

• Shikakai pods – 8
• Soap Nuts – 4
• Amla – 4  (1 Tablespoon of amla powder)
• Fenugreek seeds – 2 Tablespoon
• Flax seeds – 2 Tablespoon
• Plain water or rice water – 5 cups
• Aloe Vera – Gel from one leaf (Optional)

If this recipe makes your hair dry which it should not, Skip the soap nuts (Reetha) altogether.

📌FOR OILY HAIR

• Rice water or Plain water – 5 cups
• Shikakai – 7-8
• Soap nuts – 5-6
• Amla – 4
• Fenugreek – 2 tablespoon
• Aloe Vera  – Gel of one big leaf
• Neem Leaves – a handful(Optional)

If this shampoo does not remove oil from your scalp, try boiling it for 5 more minutes until the shampoo is a bit thicker and concentrated or, you could increase the amount of soap nuts.

You can use normal water instead of using rice water. But, better not skip ACV rinse for best results.

HOW TO MAKE SHIKAKAI SHAMPOO

1. Soak 1 cup of rice in 4 cups of water for 30 minutes. Then rub the rice between your palms until the water turns milky white. Strain the rice water to another vessel.

2. Add 7-8 shikakai and 4-6 soap nut pods to it, followed by 3 tablespoon amla, 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and finally, aloe vera juice of one aloe leaf to the rice water.

• To treat dandruff and itching, add NEEM leaves or HOLY BASIL.
• For dry or damaged hair, add HIBISCUS or FLAX SEEDS for that extra conditioning.

3. Boil for about 7-8 minutes.

4. Leave it overnight.

5. After 8-12 hours, squeeze the pulp between your fingers and palms. You can see in the below pic, the shampoo starts to foam as the saponins are being released.

6. Strain the shampoo and store it in a bottle.

7. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 weeks.

DO NOT DISCARD THE LEFTOVER PULP

We can use these ingredients to make another batch of shampoo.

You can blend the pulp or not, that is entirely up to you. Just boil it in 4 cups of water and repeat the same process we did earlier. Let it cool. Strain the shampoo and store it in the freezer until the first batch gets over. Trust me, this batch works just the same as the first batch of shampoo.

That was my diy shikakai shampoo recipe for you guys.