The Benefits of Reetha for Hair
Do you know that soap nuts can be very beneficial for the hair?
What’s that, you ask?
We’re sure that you’ll recognize soapnuts by their more popular name in India — reetha.
A quintessential ingredient in a variety of hair products, reetha is one of the most popular herbs in Ayurveda, known for its medicinal and detoxifying properties. It is especially popular for hair care owing to its natural cleansing properties, and has gained a lot of traction in recent years, with major hair care companies using reetha in their hair products.
At Zemé Fresh, we use reetha in our all natural hair care products due to the myriad of benefits it has on the hair.
Read on to find out more about this wonderful plant!
What is Reetha?
Reetha, or Sapindus Mukorossi, is a deciduous tree that grows in the lower foothills and mid hills of the Himalayas, and is also native to Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
The dried fruit of the reetha tree is what is widely used in hair products, and is widely known for its cleansing properties, which is why it is an excellent substitute for chemical cleansers. It also has anti allergic, antibacterial and mildly antiseptic properties, making it an extremely beneficial ingredient to use in hair care products.
Benefits of Using Reetha for Hair
For Hair Growth
Reetha is loaded with iron and antioxidants which can tremendously boost hair growth by nourishing the scalp. As it is also a natural cleanser, reetha powder also cleanses and exfoliates the scalp, stimulating hair follicles and promoting growth. Using reetha for hair regrowth is thus also very beneficial.
To Curb Dandruff
The antifungal and antibacterial properties of reetha help prevent infection and get rid of dandruff, thus ridding you of the unsightly and bothersome flakes.
To Add Shine
Incorporating reetha in your hair care regime can leave your hair soft, silky and luscious, and will add an extra shine and bounce to your hair.
How to Use Reetha for Hair Growth?
Reetha Cleanser
Reetha contains saponins, which have surfactant properties. Using reetha for hair wash is very beneficial as it does not involve the use of harmful chemical compounds. Furthermore, the low pH levels of reetha enable it to regulate the scalp’s pH levels and maintain the levels of oil in the scalp. Combined with its dandruff preventive properties, using reetha as a cleanser can help healthier hair growth.
Reetha Conditioner
Reetha helps make your hair free of tangles, improves texture and shine, and helps eliminate frizz. It’s also effective at getting rid of split ends.
To use reetha as a conditioner, soak reetha powder overnight, and then bring it to boil. Strain the mixture, and then rinse your hair with this water after cleansing for smooth, shiny hair.
Reetha Hair Oil
Using reetha as hair oil can combine the benefits of an oil massage with that of reetha.
To make reetha oil for hair, heat coconut oil, add reetha powder to it, and mix well. You can also add dried amla to this mix. Leave this mixture for 24 hours, heating it in between intervals to ensure the absorption of reetha in the oil. After 24 hours, strain the oil and massage it into your scalp. Wash with a mild cleanser.
Reetha Hair Mask
Using reetha in hair masks can prove to be extremely beneficial for your hair, especially when combined with other powerful ingredients such as amla and shikakai.
Amla contains high amounts of antioxidants and vitamin A, which help repair damaged hair and cells, while shikakai is rich in vitamin C, and helps lower the pH value of the hair to keep it lustrous and healthy. These three ingredients compliment each other, and therefore can be used to make a hair mask that can help you battle grey hair, hair fall, and dandruff. You can also add ingredients such as yoghurt or egg yolks to the hair pack as required.
Amla, shikakai and reetha are easily available in the market in powdered form. Make a paste of these with water, and add other ingredients or natural oils if needed. Apply evenly on your hair and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and gently pat your hair dry.
How To Use Reetha For Hair Wash?
Make a paste of reetha powder with warm water, apply all over the scalp and hair, and massage well. Rinse it off with plain water for shiny, soft hair. It’s that easy!
Mandatory Precautions for Using Reetha for Hair
Spot test with reetha 24 hours before using to make sure it does not have any adverse effects on the scalp. Also, avoid contact of reetha with your eyes as it may cause redness and swelling of eyelids.
Products with Reetha
While you can make reetha products at home, let’s be real — who has the time anymore? In today’s busy life, natural hair care has become extremely hard, which is why Zemé strives to bring top quality, all natural hair products to you so that your hair can get the care it deserves without any of the hassle.
Zemé Post Oiling Hair Cleanser
Our cleanser is made up of reetha, curry leaves, bhringraj, curry leaves, onion seeds, green tea and amla, all of which are ingredients that nature meant for you to use to clean your hair & scalp. With natural cleansers such as reetha, this cleanser does not lather but cleanser your hair effectively and removes light oil easily, leaving you with soft, nourished hair. It is very gentle on the hair, unlike chemical-laden shampoos, and is designed to ensure that you never have to turn to commercial shampoos again, even for removing oil from your hair. Our post oiling hair cleanser has no artificial ingredients, so it needs refrigeration, just like fresh food.
Conclusion
So, to sum it up, is reetha good for hair? The answer is a 100 percent yes!
From an itchy scalp to hair regrowth— with regular use, reetha can help you kiss all your hair problems goodbye with a flourish! Practice healthy habits and use natural products on your hair and you will be sure to see long-lasting results.
Happy, healthy hair, ‘hair’ we come!
