Ayurveda Herbal Shampoo Ingredients

Basic ingredient are: Shikakai, Reetha, Amla, Bhangra, Brahmi, and Hibiscus.
Optional ingredients include: Fenugreek, Neem, Lime juice, Almond, Mustard oil, Cinnamon and cloves, Chai (tea leaves)
Shampoo ingredients are optimized to cleanse scalp, moisturize scalp, prevent possible hair loss, prevent pre-mature grey hair, slightly restore natural black Indian hair color, promote thick hair grow. Modern studies have shown that Fenugreek seed promote hair growth, it is not a part of traditional Ayurveda claim.

Dry Ingredients

Shikakai is the primary dry ingredient. All ingredients are added in appropriate proportion to Shikakai.

Shikakai Shikakai (Acacia Concinna)

Shikakai (Acacia Concinna) is the main ingredient of all the herbal soaps used in India. The fruit has the Saponin to produce lather. The leaves have many Alpha Hydroxy Acids to serve as exfoliating and moistening agents. The pods, leaves and bark are dried and powdered. When used on normal hair, you do not need special conditioners.

One may not be happy with the amount of suds being produced.

In the olden days, women massaged the scalp with mustard oil. Made a pastes of Shikakai powder and water. Applied the Shikakai paste to the oiled hair. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then wash away the paste, leaving hair and scalp clean, as well as shiny soft hair.

Reetha Reetha (Arishtak) Sapindus Trifoliatus

The shell of the Reetha nuts contain Saponin that makes a natural lathering agent. Reetha may be added to Shikakai to increase the amount of suds. Amount of Reetha powder may be up to two times the amount of Shikakai powder by weight.

Amla Amla (Amalaki) Emblica officinalis

Amla has the highest concentration of Vitamin C. Helps stimulate scalp. In addition, its color acts as a light dye compatible with natural color of Indian hair. The seed from the fruit is discarded. The dried deseeded fruit is ground to a powder and used for shampoo. Amount of Amla powder may same as the amount of Shikakai powder by weight.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek seed powder may promote growth of hair and reduce loss of hair. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to ¼ cup of Fenugreek seed powder.

Hibiscus Gurhal (Japa) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

The dried leaves and petals of red Hibiscus are ground to a powder and may be added to promote thick growth and coloring. It also adds herbal fragrance. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 2 Tablespoons of Hibiscus powder.

Bhangra Bhangra (Bhringaraj) Eclipta Alba

Bhangra is added to to prevent possible hair-loss, and promote thick hair growth. It is also a coloring agent. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 2 Tablespoons of Bhangra powder

Brahmi Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri)

Brahmi has a small amount of Saponin. Brahmi stimulates blood circulation of the scalp and helps with hair growth. Brhami is referred to as brain tonic. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 2 Tablespoons Brahmi powder.
You may substitutes Brahmi with same amount of Gotu Kola Gotu Kola (Indian Pennywort)

Neem Neem (Nimba) Azadirachta indica

Leaves from Neem are dried and ground. These leaves are added as an antibacterial agent to create so called 'medicated shampoo'. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 2 teaspoons of Neem leaf powder.
The pulp of the Neem fruit is an excellent hair coloring agent. The seed of the fruit is rich in Vitamin E, Omega 6, and Omega 9. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 1 Tablespoon of dried fruit of Neem powder.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an antioxidant, and added for color and herbal fragrance. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to One Tablespoons of Cinnamon powder.

Cloves

Cloves is an antioxidant, and added for color and herbal fragrance. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to One Tablespoons of Cloves powder.

Wet Ingredients

All wet ingredients are optional, and added in appropriate proportion of Shikakai powder by volume. Don not exceed total amount of oils by 2 teaspoons per cup of Shikakai powder. Some formulas add Sesame oil in lieu of Almond oil or Mustard oil

Aloe Vera Guarpatha (Ghrita Kumarika) Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is added to relieve dry itchy scalp. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera extract.

Lime Juice

These are added to increase the acidity to clean oily hair. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice.

Almond Oil

Almond oil basically provides Vitamin E to nourish the scalp and keep the hair soft. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 1 teaspoon of Almond oil.

Mustard Oil

This has sulfur (needed for dandruff control), and omega 3 fatty acid for thicker and softer hair. For each cup of Shikakai powder, you may add up to 1 teaspoon of mustard oil.

How to make Ayurveda Shampoo?

1. Mix all dry ingredients together

2. Add 3 cups of water to one cup of dry ingredients.

3. Pre-soak overnight

4. Bring to a boil in an iron pot. Turn down heat to very low. Simmer covered for 3 to 4 hours.
5. Turn off heat. Let it cool to warm. Filter to discard any solids. Dilute with water as desired

6. Return to heat. Turn on heat, bring to a boil. Turn down heat. Stir in liquid ingredients. Simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Let it cool. Transfer to glass or plastic bottles as desired.

How to use Ayurveda Shampoo?

This is a mild hair shampoo. It can be used daily or weekly. This has nice herbal smell.

1. Wet hair with plain water

2. Apply shampoo to the scalp. Work shampoo into the scalp with fingers. This will help break lose the dirt and dead cells clung to the roots off the hair.
3. Apply the shampoo to to cover the hair
4. Let the shampoo work in for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will help dissolve the dirt and restore hair color.
5. Work your scalp again with fingers. Wash and rinse. Repeat till water runs clear.
6. In India, it is customary to use Ayurveda hair oil, or coconut oil after shampoo.

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