Shikakai comes from the Acacia Concinna, a shrub-like tree that grows in the tropical rainforests of southern Asia. As part of the legume family, it grows long ridged fruit that looks like dark brown pea pods. When dry, these pods are ground into a fine powder similar in colour and texture to ground cinnamon -This is what we call Shikakai.

The word itself literally translates to “hair-fruit” or “fruit for hair.” Popularly found in central India, this Ayurvedic herb is often used as a shampoo replacement because of its excellent cleansing properties. Like the strands of your hair, the benefits of Shikakai are impossible to count. Along with several benefits, Shikakai has various uses too. Now that you have a fair idea on the wonders of shikakai and what all it can do for your hair, let us now take a deeper look into the benefits of shikakai for hair.

The Benefits of Shikakai

1. For Hair Growth
   Our hair follicles need plenty of nourishment to come through or else it wouldn’t be able to grow longer and thicker hair; hair that we desire. Shikakai has plenty of vitamins in it, and this is why the fruit is known as HAIR FRUIT- the vitamin C content in it helps promote the growth of hair by providing a lot of nourishment to the hair.

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2. Soothes Your Scalp
   A healthy scalp is literally the foundation for healthy hair growth. Shikakai can soothe an inflamed scalp with its cooling antiseptic properties, restoring its health. It also helps maintain the optimum pH level of your scalp. Antioxidants lessen the rate of hair thinning, by removing harmful free radicals, which surrounds our hair bulbs.

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3. Fights Dandruff
   Shikakai along with being a rich source of various antioxidants is also anti-dandruff in nature. This is possible, mainly due to the presence of Vitamin C and Vitamin E in its chemical composition. It prevents issues like follicle-clogging and aggravation, which leads to unhindered hair growth. It also effectively deals with dryness and itching.

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4. Cleanses Your Hair
   Shikakai is a natural mild cleanser. Which means that it cleanses your hair without stripping away the natural oils from it. Not only does this help keep your hair clean, but it also helps keep your hair conditioned. Shikakai helps add shine to your hair while also making it much more manageable. If you have a tangle problem, it would be a good idea to include this ingredient in your hair care routine

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5. Prevents Lice
   There is nothing more annoying than head lice. Especially when you have children, who are much more susceptible to them. Shikakai is a natural solution to a head lice problem; not only does it curb the problem but also keeps the head lice away for good with regular use.

The holy basil plant (Ocimum sanctum L.), commonly known as Tulasi in India, is a leafy herb belonging to the mint family. There are three variants of tulsi (in India) – Rama Tulsi, Krishna Tulsi, and Vana Tulsi – and each of them is used in the same way to treat ailments. They have a similar taste as well.

Tulasi is possibly native to North Central India – and grows throughout the eastern world tropics. It has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years and is best known as a culinary herb predominantly used in Italian and Southeast Asian cuisines. That’s a bit about the herb. But the upcoming benefits are a direct consequence of the herb’s ingredients.

Benefits Of Tulasi:

Tulasi is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps combat a plethora of serious ailments like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Its anti-inflammatory property makes it an excellent skin remedy for irritations, small wounds, and sores. It has a soothing and relaxing effect that helps while dealing with eczema. Tulasi contains vitamin C that boosts skin cells metabolism. It maintains the skin collagen, which is responsible for the dermis layer and its elasticity. The benefits of Tulasi are:

It’s Good For The Heart

Cardiovascular disease is one of the largest cause of mortality in the world today – with hypertension and high blood cholesterol being the main causes. Various studies have found Tulasi to be particularly helpful in this regard. Tulasi contains flavonoids, which reduce the risk of platelets forming clots on the arterial walls. This eventually prevents coronary heart disease and heart attacks. As per an Australian study, basil can help prevent several features of the metabolic syndrome – heart disease being one of them. The herb is also credited with preventing numerous cardiac disorders.

Tulasi is also known to lower cholesterol levels, preventing heart ailments as a consequence. Ingesting basil leaves can lead to significant changes in the fat molecules – the leaves can lower bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol.

2. Boosts Immunity

Numerous animal studies have found holy basil leaf to have potent immunomodulatory effects. The extract also showed promise in improving immunity in bovine (related to cattle) models.

Tulasi was also found to treat a wide range of respiratory disorders – asthma being one of them. Others include bronchitis and lung infections, which are caused primarily because of a weakened immune system. Tulasi liquefies the phlegm and is effective in treating allergic bronchitis, asthma, and eosinophilic lung disease.

As a traditional remedy, tulsi leaves are also used for treating fever and the associated common cold. You need to chew on a few of the leaves to get relief from the symptoms of cold and flu. Especially in the rainy season, when the risk of contracting a fever is high, you can boil some Tulasi leaves in water and drink it. And if you are suffering from severe fever, a decoction of basil leaves and a pinch of powdered cardamom can help.

Basil leaf extract can also be used to heal wounds quickly (in addition to cuts and burns). It can especially heal wounds post-surgery and also protect them from any potential infection.

3. Protects Against Inflammation

Tulasi leaves help fight inflammation and can even help relieve joint pains caused by inflammation. Tulasi achieves this, thanks to eucalyptol, one of its main ingredients. Eucalyptol reduces inflammation and the associated pain by enhancing blood circulation around the wounded area. Tulasi also works as an analgesic and relieves pain.

What About The Benefits For Hair?

Holy basil prevents hair loss by strengthening the hair follicles. It also treats dandruff and itching and prevents premature greying of hair.

4. Prevents Hair Loss

Making a paste of Tulasi leaves and mixing it with your hair oil can work wonders for your hair. Apply this oil to your scalp and leave it on for about 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual. This mixture rejuvenates your hair follicles, keeps your scalp cool, and promotes circulation to your scalp.

Tulsi is used as an effective remedy for hair loss. It is considered an important ingredient in herbal hair loss treatment. The herb works by strengthening the hair roots, thereby curbing hair fall.

5. Treats Dandruff

Simply Tulasi shampoo on your hair and massage it thoroughly into your scalp. Tulasi improves blood circulation and reduces dandruff and the scalp itchiness that accompanies it. This remedy also treats dry scalp.

Tulsi has been found to be effective in controlling four types of fungal strains that may cause dandruff. This effect of tulsi offers other benefits like improved hair smoothness and hair shine, along with ease of combing and reduced frizz.

6. Prevents Premature Graying Of Hair

All you need to do is soak dried holy basil powder (you can prepare it at home by grinding a few basil leaves) along with amla powder in water overnight. The next morning, wash your hair with the mixture (after straining it). This remedy helps prevent premature greying of hair and treat hair fall. This is one reason tulsi is considered an essential ingredient in herbal hair treatments.

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In fact, it is one of the most studied herbs in science. It is reported that One ounce of turmeric gives you 26% of your daily requirement of manganese and 16% of your daily requirement of iron. The herb is also a wonderful source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, and vitamin C. Here are the 6 benefits turmeric has on your skin

1. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, turmeric can work wonders on condition-riddled skin. It can also help reduce redness from blemishes and calm skin conditions like eczema and rosacea.

2. Fight off acne
Turmeric is excellent for acne because it is a natural antiseptic and helps to keep bacteria from spreading. It’s especially effective when combined with apple cider vinegar which has astringent properties, meaning it plays the same role as your average toner.

3. Reduces dark circles
“Since turmeric is a proven anti-inflammatory and lightening agent, it’s perfect for alleviating this kind of concern,” says Courtney Chiusano, founder of Courtney Chiusano Skincare in Los Angeles, California. “It also stimulates circulation, which can help reduce puffiness and under-eye darkness caused by poor circulation.”

4. Protect against sun damage & ageing
Research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 68th Annual Meeting shows that a moisturizing cream containing turmeric had the ability to improve the appearance of fine lines and brown spots caused by sun damage. It also helps prevent loss of skin elasticity due to long term UV exposure.

5. Reduce the appearance of stretch marks
Turmeric has the antioxidative power to penetrate and improve the function of the skin membrane cells, which will help prevent and treat stretch marks. Experts recommend making your own stretch mark-healing paste with one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, one teaspoon of turmeric and a squeeze of a wedge of a lemon (about one-eighth of the fruit). Rub this mixture onto the affected areas twice a day.

6. Soothe dry skin
Turmeric can deeply hydrate and revitalize skin while alleviating symptoms of dryness. It naturally speeds up the process of removing dead skin cells to reveal healthy and soft skin, and protects the skin cells from further damage.

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