Shikakai: Fruit for the Skin and Hair

An herb whose extracts are widely used in Ayurveda medicine as mild soap and shampoo is Shikakai. It has been a reliable remedy in traditional medicine for over a hundred years. As the people who have used it can attest, if an individual is dealing with skin or hair related concerns, turning to this herb is a classic solution.

History of the Herb

Shikakai’s binomial name is Acacia concinna. The shrub is commonly found in the warm plains of South and Central portions of India, which it is native to. It is also found in Southern China, Malaya, and Burma.

A tropical herb, it grows best in warm weather. Traditionally, it is prepared by drying, grinding, and then making it into a paste. However, these days are long gone. Its long established use has evolved into the modern period.

Proof of its rise to present day fame is the herb’s use in commercial skin and hair care products. With its reputation in Ayurveda, it has become a key ingredient in high quality body washes and shampoos.

Useful Parts of the Herb

Nearly all parts of Shikakai are useful. The bark, fruit pods, and leaves are extracted for their remedial properties. The tree itself is used as food for butterfly larvae.

Its bark, since it is rich in saponins (or chemical compounds with foaming properties), is popular as an effective cleaning agent. In traditional Ayurveda medicine, it has a long history as a chief ingredient in detergents. It is very potent in the removal of dirt, oil, and waste.

After cleaning, its fleshy and constricted fruit pods are immediately dried. Once these are processed, they can be used for rubbing on the skin and the scalp.

Its leaves can be made into tea. They have an acidic taste, which some people enjoy. As recorded, an infusion of the leaves is common for many traditional anti-dandruff preparations.

Advantage of Medicinal Properties

A top advantage of Shikakai is its mild nature. It is considered a good skin and hair care solution since it does not strip the skin and hair of natural oils. While it contains alkaloids, it has a naturally low pH level.

Compared to many commercial sulfate-containing products, it does not produce a high amount of lather. However, neither does it come with dangerous side effects. It can hardly be the cause of different injuries upon contact. For those with rather sensitive skin and scalp, it is ideal.

Shikakai’s Primary Benefits

To heed traditional Ayurveda medicine practitioners’ advice, if the goal is to have healthy skin and hair, Shikakai is the herb to get. With its reel of benefits for the skin and hair, great results will appear in a few weeks.

Since it does not have harsh effects, it is beneficial for the skin. It works thoroughly. It revitalizes the outer layer while supplying nutrients to the inner layer. Regular use allows it to give the skin a radiant glow.

Typically, when used for the hair, the herb can quickly restore it to life. It will make it bouncy, as if it was treated in an expensive hair spa. It is able to detangle the hair quickly too, so using a conditioner for this purpose is unnecessary. In fact, after applying it on the scalp, it is not uncommon for some people to skip rinsing altogether, like a commercial leave-in conditioner.

The list of skin and hair benefits is as follows:

Adds luster to hair
Combats dandruff
Eliminates hair lice
Thickens hair
Strengthens hair roots
Promotes hair growth
Delays the growth of gray hair
Repairs coarse hair
Reduces frizz
Reduces heat on the applied surface
Improves skin texture
Treats alopecia and baldness
Treats wounds and cuts on the scalp
Treats scabies and other skin diseases
Treats malarial fever

Essential Information

Shikakai should be used moderately. It contains a portion of oxalic acid, citric acid, and spinasterone; it can cause unexpected reactions when over-used.

Especially when it is ingested (i.e. when the fruit is eaten or the leaves are infused to be made into tea), it is best to avail of an Ayurveda medicine practitioner’s assistance. While it does wonders as a natural product, it is associated with a set of risks, too. To remain on the safe side, it is practical to consult an expert.

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