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.
I have the powdered form of shikakai and amla. What is the ratio of tablespoons I should use for it? Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Shikakai – 1.5 Tablespoon
Reetha – 3 Tablespoon
Amla – 1.5 Tablespoon
If you are using powders, then you can just mix the 3 powders with distilled water to make a paste, Leave it overnight or for at least 2 hours before applying it on your hair.
Can I use this type of shampoo after applying oil? Will it be able to remove the applied oil from hair like commercial shampoos do?
This shampoo is really mild and so it wont work on oiled hair.
Can I use this type of shampoo after applying oil?
No, Homemade hair cleansers cannot remove that much oil.
Shikakai shampoo does work amazingly well in cleansing and conditioning normal hair though.
Can we store it at room temperature? How long can we keep it at room temperature? If we store it for a long period of time, how we get to know is it good to use it not?
Hi Pragya, I always store it in the fridge so im not really sure but since we have not added any preservatives, the shampoo will spoil quickly in room temperature. As days go by, you can see that Fungus/mold starts to grow on top of it.
How to use this shampoo?
Take required amount of shampoo depending on your hair length in a cup or bottle.
Mix with hand or shake the bottle until it foams.
Wet your hair (If you want to apply directly to dry hair, you can add water to the shampoo while shaking/mixing). Both works well.
Pour the shampoo all over your hair and scalp.
Wait for at least 5 minutes and then rinse it out.
Follow up with Apple cider vinegar conditioner or any conditioner of your choice.
Hi dear
Trying this from. Last 6-7 washes.
Facing lot of hairfall issue dandruff and dryness.
M using all. 3 ingredients in equal proportions.
So do I need to change the proportion?
I was not using rice water. Will. It b of help?
I added flex seeds powder instead bof Fenugreek. So do I need to use of both or one of them?
Ur video tutorial is of great help.
Pls share some good video for conditioning too
Thanks
Hello Neha,
The correct ratio would be shikakai-7, Reetha – 4-5 depending upon your hair type, Amla-4.
You can use both flaxseeds and fenugreek seeds if you want, they both help nourish and condition your hair.
If you are not using apple cider vinegar rinse, then feel free to use your favourite conditioner after rinsing off the shampoo.
Once a month use fermented rice water. Fermented rice water promotes new hair growth – https://peppyblog.com/how-to-make-fermented-rice-water-for-hair-loss/
You can also use Yao rice water twice a week, it works well too.
If you have dandruff and related hair fall, it would be better to treat it using a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo like, Kenozole- https://peppyblog.com/kenozole-2-anti-dandruff-shampoo-review/
Hope that helps.
I have prepared this home made shampoo but after 10 days it stinks even after i have stored it in my refrigerator so should i use it on my hair or not?
Hi Payal, I am not sure what happened but if it stinks then do no this use it. Next time skip rice water and use normal water to make shikakai shampoo.
If you leave the shampoo at room temperature for long, the rice water will ferment and thus the smell.(Similar to Yao rice water)
Hope that helps.
Can you use neem oil?
Hi Leah, I have never tried this but, Adding an oil may reduce the foaming and cleansing ability of the shampoo. So add only 1 teaspoon per 250ml of shampoo, shake well before use and see how it works out for your hair. Hope that helps.
I store the shampoo in the fridge but next time i use it, it doesnt really work as good as the freshly made shampoo. Hair remains kind of sticky. Am i doing anything wrong?
Hi Ankita, I’m not really sure what went wrong but if you have oily scalp, try increasing the amount of shikakai and see how it works.
In case we have oiled our hair, is there any diy shampoo we can use?
Hello Neeraja, I apologize, but I am not aware of any DIY recipes that can eliminate excess oil from oiled hair. Most of the ingredients used in such recipes have mild cleansing properties that can get rid of dirt, sweat, and grime, but they may not be potent enough to remove the oil from your hair. One option you could consider is using DIY shampoos based on Castile soap, which can be an excellent substitute for the commercial shampoos available in the market.