How to Make a Natural Hair Wash with Shikakai and Reetha - LUSHR

How to Make a Natural Hair Wash with Shikakai and Reetha

Why Switch to a Natural Hair Wash?

Most commercial shampoos contain sulphates — harsh detergents that strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness, frizz, and an overproduction of sebum as the scalp tries to compensate. Over time, this cycle can weaken hair and irritate the scalp.

Ayurveda has a gentler solution: shikakai and reetha, two herbs that have been used as natural cleansers in India for centuries. Together, they create an effective natural hair wash that cleans without stripping, conditions without silicones, and leaves hair soft, manageable, and healthy.

Meet the Ingredients

Shikakai (Acacia concinna)

Shikakai literally means "fruit for hair" in Hindi. It has a naturally low pH that's close to the hair's own pH, making it exceptionally gentle. It cleanses the scalp, detangles hair, and adds softness. Unlike sulphate shampoos, it doesn't disrupt the scalp's natural moisture balance.

Reetha (Sapindus mukorossi)

Reetha, or soapnut, contains natural saponins — plant-based compounds that create a gentle lather when mixed with water. It cleanses effectively, removes product buildup, and has antifungal properties that support a healthy scalp environment.

How to Make Your Natural Hair Wash

Using Lushr Shikakai Powder and Lushr Reetha Powder, here are two easy methods:

Method 1: Quick Paste (Best for Beginners)

  1. Mix 1 tablespoon each of shikakai and reetha powder with enough warm water to form a thin, pourable paste.
  2. Wet your hair thoroughly.
  3. Apply the paste to your scalp and hair, massaging gently for 2–3 minutes.
  4. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
  5. Follow with a diluted amla rinse for extra shine (optional).

Method 2: Herbal Liquid Wash (Best for Regular Use)

  1. Boil 2 cups of water and add 2 tablespoons each of shikakai and reetha powder.
  2. Simmer for 10 minutes, then cool and strain.
  3. Pour into a bottle. This keeps for up to 5 days in the fridge.
  4. Use as you would a regular shampoo — apply to wet hair, massage, and rinse.

What to Expect When You Switch

The first 2–3 weeks of switching to a natural hair wash can feel like an adjustment period. Your scalp, accustomed to sulphates, may produce more oil initially as it recalibrates. This is normal. By week 3–4, most people notice their scalp becoming less oily, their hair feeling softer, and their wash days becoming less frequent.

Important: The lather from shikakai and reetha will be much less than commercial shampoo. Less lather does not mean less clean — it simply means no harsh sulphates.

Enhance Your Ritual

For a complete ayurvedic hair care routine, pair your shikakai-reetha wash with a weekly amla scalp treatment and a monthly henna conditioning treatment. The Lushr Hair Ritual Kit includes all four herbs — henna, amla, reetha, and shikakai — so you have everything you need to build a complete, chemical-free hair care routine from scratch.

Your hair will thank you for making the switch. Start with the Lushr Shikakai Powder and Lushr Reetha Powder today.

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