5 All Natural Cleansers To Use For Daily Hair Wash

Excessive use of shampoos and other chemical treatments on your hair during the summers can have drying effect which can make your hair dull, dry and brittle. This can be a real catch 22 situation for anyone who loves to spend time outdoors since being out in the sun results in accumulation of dirt and sweat on your scalp which may result in loss of hair and itchiness if not taken care of.

This is when nature comes to your rescue. There are several natural ingredients which can be used for daily cleansing of your hair and scalp without stripping your scalp of the natural oils. If you want clean and healthy hair this summer, here are a couple of recipes which can help:

* Shikakai

You can make a shikakai tea which can be used as a cleanser for all hair types. It cleans your scalp while nourishing it. Put 10 grams shikakai pods, 10 grams reetha berry and 5 grams amla pieces in 750 ml of water and bring it to a boil. Simmer and let the concoction boil for 10 – 15 minutes. Set it aside to cool. Mash the ingredients and strain the water. Use the water to wash your hair. Since using a fresh concoction every time is recommended, you can brew it in a large batch and freeze it into cubes for long term use. This mix hardly lathers. But it cleans your hair well.This shampoo is suitable for all hair types and maintains the pH balance of your scalp without stripping the natural oils from your hair.

* Hibiscus

Grind a handful of leaves and couple of flowers with a little water to make a slippery paste. To use, massage into your scalp and hair and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off. For conditioning effects you can also mix aloe vera gel into the mixture. Both the flower and the leaf of the hibiscus plant contain mucilage, a slippery substance, which helps to clean the hair really well. Hibiscus is also very moisturising and helps to restore hair’s natural barrier and hydrates the hair fibres. It also has proteins and astringent properties which help in treatment of dandruff and hair loss as well as sealing the cuticles for detangling hair.

* Aloe Vera

Aloe conditions, moisturizes and makes hair smoother, silkier, and healthier. It also has soothing and cooling properties that help relieve redness, irritation and itchiness, while nourishing the scalp.Fresh gel/juice creates a good lather and has a viscous, slippery texture. Massage into your scalp and hair and let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse off.
This is more of a conditioning wash which suits all hair types as a mild cleanser and conditioner.

* Rice Water

Soak ½ cup of rice in 2-3 cups of water. Let it set for 10 – 15 minutes. Swirl it around or lightly knead it until the water turns cloudy.Strain out the rice water into a clean bowl.For better cleansing add some shikakai powder to this water.Pour the rice water on your hair and gently massage your scalp and hair. Leave it on for 4 to 5 minutes, then rinse your hair thoroughly with plain water. This can either be used as a hair wash or as a conditioning rinse. Rice water contains inositol, which helps to repair damaged hair, improve hair elasticity and reduce surface friction. Rinsing hair with rice water will add shine to your hair and keep it strong and healthy.

* Besan

Besan is rich in natural saponins and works as a great skin and hair cleanser. It’s also packed with protein which helps to make hair more manageable and shiny, while strengthening the hair at the same time. To make this cleanser, mix 3 tablespoon of besan, 1 tablespoon of orange peel powder, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and some water into a smooth paste. Massage the besan mixture into the scalp and hair and leave it on for 4 to 5 minutes, then rinse off really well. This cleanser works best for normal and oily hair.