Here are some simple recipes for mixing your natural hair products. Please visit www.forums.longhaircommunity.com and www.longhaircareforum.com as you will find a wealth of information, along with techniques and various recipes. You can even ask questions on their forum!
Please remember when using any new hair product it is always recommended that you do hair strand tests first!
We also encourage you to add orange blossom water, rose water or essential oils to your pastes and mud, to leave your hair smelling great!
Important: Please keep in mind that everyone has their own unique hair texture. Herbal treatments can be drying for some, and it is recommended that you add hair oil to your recipe, or deep condition your hair afterwards. We recommend that everyone keep an open mind when using henna and natural herbs on their hair, and use the recipe that works best for you!
Shikakai, also known as acacia concinna
Mixing shikakai for promoting hair growth and deep cleansing:
-For best results, add at least 1 tbsp of shikakai powder to 25 grams of your henna or cassia powder mixture. OR
-Mix powder (desired quantity) with warm to hot water. Let it cool.
-Apply shikakai paste or mixed herbal blended paste, by sections starting from the back and moving forward.
-Wrap your hair and allow to sit for 1-6 hours.
-Rinse or wash paste out.
How to store your powder: fridge or cool dark place.
How to store your shikakai and paste: freezer
is it okay to use these herbs (shikaki, brahmi) as teas instead?
Hey Khadija, I love your cocoveda hair oil and have yet to fully try some of your herbs for hair and will try them soon. So far I tried the shikakai with poor results.I mixed the shikakai like you instructed with hot water….slight modification–a bit of castor oil and olive oil added. When I applied it to my hair I used it somewhat in conjunction with Aussie Moist Conditioner (the purpose of the conditioner of itself was to aid in detangling), left it in for about two hours…and when I went to wash it out I had alot of breakage! Needless to say, this was the polar opposite of what I was expecting. Could it be that this doesn’t suit my hair, or is there something I should try differently? I ordered it as a sample, would love to try it again but I’m hesitant to buy it and only have the same problem once more.
Hi Mel, thanks for your post.
Oh no! The shikakai has been used more so directly in the shower and then washed out as it’s amazing for cleansing. It may be an herb that can’t be left in your hair too long. Amla would have probably a better choice. I’d recommend you try samples of other herbs such as cassia, and amla powder for conditoning and strengthening benefits as those are the best and most popular choices. I hope this helps!
I still shampoo and condition regularly (with organic, natural based products, no sulfates) Should amla be used prior to or after shampooing & conditioning? Also, I was thinking of trying out some henna. My hair is a dark coffee brown naturally, so I don’t think the red will show that strongly (except in bright lighting). I’m curious to know if, should I not like the red colour, can I use a henna/indigo blend to tone it down to brown later on? Or would I have to grow the red out?
I will consider the cassia for sure.
Thanks for your post Mel. I’d recommend you wash and condition after you use the amla powder and any herbal hair treatments, unless it’s a more cleansing powder.
Yes you can tone out the red if it does show through, and not exactly as you want it to be, with indigo powder. Cassia is a good option but not as long term as henna is.
will alma be enough to tone down the red in henna? or will it just make it a darker shade of red? And another question…can you use starch (i have a tapioca based one used for food)to thicken your mixture?
Yes some people use starch like cornstarch to thicken up their recipe but usually that’s only needed for indigo as the other herbs are thicker in consistency.
The amla will tone the henna down some, but what tone do you really want to achieve?
There is no particular tone, I was just curious as to whether amla made the henna more like a dark red or if it just made the red show up less. If i were using henna I would need to use amla anyway because I have curly hair. I was wondering if the indigo was necessary at all.
i’d prefer to retain my dark brown hair but I wouldnt mind a reddish tint.
It makes the red show up less but not a darker red. I’d say use the amla powder and just henna for what you want to achieve so that it tones it down some, promotes your hair to grow, and maintains your curls along with a slight reddish tint. probably 50/50 of each would be ideal 🙂
Your site is very intresting and informative and notices how you have very eagerly responsed to all the quries..heres mine : I would like to know the correct combination of shikakai powder and ampla powder to use. Also if I first use coconut oil in my hair and then rinse with the combo of shikaki+amla is it OK. Also do we need to use any other shampoos or conditioners after using shikaki+amla….
Thanks CJ. We try to respond as quickly as we can.
Yes with the coconut oil that would be fine.
Sometimes you can use a bit of conditioner or oil after the shikakai and amla treatment just for added moisturization and balance in your hair.
Your combination can be 50/50 and recipes can vary as needed.
Hello. I am new at this and I need some specific directions and answers before I create a disaster. How do I use the shikakai, amla and henna powders. What do I mix to wash my hair and what do I mix when conditioning my hair. How do I use the shikakai and amla oils? Thanks for your help.
Thank you for your post Queen.
For the powders such as henna, amla, and shikakai, you would use the needed amount for your hair length and thickness. Once you have figured that out from here: https://hennablogspot.com/how-much-henna-andor-herbs-to-use-on-your-hair/
You can use warm water to mix those herbs with or a bit of liquid conditioner, and one of our shampoo bars has extra superfatted oils which are great for conditioning your hair.
We have hair oils as well. You can add a dime amount in your palm, and rub/brush through after you’ve done your herbal hair treatment. I hope this helps get you started.
This will be my first time using henna and I plan to use it after I take my braids out, my hair is naturally jet black and I have some gray I want to cover, what would be the best products for me to purchase?
Thank you for your post Brenda. Would you like to keep your hair black, or towards red tones? What you will purchase to color your hair depends on the tone you want to show up. Henna alone would add a nice red tone, with some highlights because of the grey, as light hair soaks up the red.
I am new to this website and I notice that the shikakai, amla, cassia and henna powders all will strengthen or condition your hair. I am really confused about what I want to order now. I was thinking about getting the jamila henna for hair(for red tones)and the amla(for texture). I’m not too clear on what or how I would use the shikakai, cassia or the rhassoul. Please help!
Some have better properties in different areas over others. The base for herbs is at least henna, or cassia. They have the same properties and are overall great for your hair. Henna will add red tones, and is long lasting. Cassia does not color dark hair, only light hair tones with golden tones, and lasts only 2-3 weeks.
Amla powder really helps add volume, maintain curl patterns, tone down the red of henna, and promotes hair growth.
Shikakai really helps to cleanse the hair and create a healthy scalp to start your treatments.
The rhassoul is great also for a facial cleanser. We also carry shampoo bars if you want to use natural shampoos that are moisturizing.
Hi,
I have curly, medium (2 inchs below my shoulders) ,dark brown hair. I want my hair to grow faster, alot faster. Do you know which product effectivly increases hair growth with out ruining my curls? I have very thick hair so one that thickens hair would be less then ideal. Thank you 🙂
Thank you for your post Chell. The perfect herb/product for you to use would be amla powder. It’s perfect for hair growth AND maintaining your curl pattern. You will really like it. You can also add a bit of cassia to that so that you get the benefits of henna (strength, conditioning, and healthier, stronger hair) without color results. Then choose a good hair oil, and one of our shampoo bars like Cocoveda for the herbal benefits and moisturization in those. We do carry those products at http://www.hennasooq.com
I hope this helps!
so i should you amla powder, well do you know how fast it grows hair because i wat my hair long very quickly
Thank you for your post Chell. Yes amla powder is really good for hair growth. You can use that herb, along with any others you’d like. Moisturize with a good hair oil as well.
hey i need ur help ……. i was diagnosed with pneumonia twice last year…i had this really thick hair bt i lost all my hair because of this condition.nw all i have is thin n dry hair which looks dull..also i want to have medium brownish hair…will henna help to achieve d desired colour n what natural products can make me grow my hair longer n thicker..please help…… my hair is becuming worse day by day…..
Thank you for your post Kaucia.
I’d really recommend you use henna along with indigo if you want to maintain the same medium brown hair, as henna alone will give it reddish tones. Amla powder is also great for promoting hair growth. Then choose one of our hair oils like argan or cocoveda oil for the dryness. Our shampoo bars are very moisturizing as well! I hope this helps. you can also email us directly if you’d like.
Hi, I have been using BAQ Henna on my hair for about a year and I love the “Henna-Red”, however, it has straightened my curl pattern quite a bit. I am West Indian (Originally from Barbados) and my hair has several different curl patterns. I want to try to get atleast some of the curl back but without losing the red tint the henna has given me. Is this possible? what would you recommend I try. Everything I use for my hair care is all natural. Any help or advise would be great. thanks
Thank you for your post Kathleen.
Yes henna does straighten out curl patterns and some people don’t really like it at times. Amla powder is great to add those curls back. You can add it to your henna but it’d tone down the red. OR you can try it seperately and I haven’t had anyone complain that the tone of red lessened.
The amla powder would really help bring back your curl pattern. Would you like to use it seperately or with your henna treatment?
I like your post but what I love most is the use of Shikakai. Shikakai is the natural resource for hair it provides strength and shine to hairs. Option for a hair growth treatment that is natural, and stay away from artificial methods…….
I like your post but what I love most is the use of Shikakai. Shikakai is the natural resource and provides strength and shine to hairs. Option for a hair growth treatment that is natural, and stay away from artificial methods…….
Thank you for your answer. I think I would like to try it separately since you say no one has said it has darkened the red color. How would I use it? and what would be best to mix it with. My hair tends to be dry and I don’t want it to feel like straw. Also how often should I do my henna treatment in order to keep the current red color but not take away from the curl pattern? Thank you again.
Welcome!
Amla powder can be mixed with warm water, and let it sit for about 15 mins and then apply it the same way you would henna, on all of your hair. To avoid dryness add one of your favorite hair oils, and/or moisturize afterwards as well. I’d say if you can space it out to every 4-6 weeks, or if you find your hair growing faster every 3-4 weeks. In between you can add additional amla treatments.
Hi,
i am planning to use shikakai on my hair for the first time cos there is a too much of hair fall 🙁 me afraid that some people say if v use that v should not use any other shampoo on hair is that true?
another thing is there any other herb that i can use on my hair to stop excess hair fall,. using shampoo is not useful this days
pls let me know
Regards,
Sidica
Thansk for your post Sidica. No this isn’t true especially if you use our shikakai which is 100% pure. You’ll be safe doing so. I’d also recommend you use amla powder for hair growth to get your hair coming back in thicker.
Cassia and Henna are two other herbs which are a good main ingredient as well. I hope this helps!
Hi, I have very thick natural hair that started falling out last year from a very bad coloring treatment. If I wash my hair, gentle comb it it still falls out. I’ve been gray since 27. So how can I stop the breakage and falling out, what Henna should I use that is not red brown or blackish is fine, and what will make my hair grow faster without the ends breaking off? Please help and give step by step directions please.
Thank you for your post Sameerah.
Henna is always reddish, naturally. Only altered henna products/powder are made with other colorings/herbs or chemicals.
You’d need moroccan henna, and indigo if you’d like to have more brown to black tones. Moroccan henna yields less red when used with indigo powder. They are both natural herbs and 100% pure. Amla powder also helps with hair growth and I do recommend its use.
As for hair breakage our Cocoveda Hair Oil and Shampoo bar are full of amazing ayurvedic herbs, that are amazing for hair growth, strengthening AND moisturizing.
This can get you started with your natural hair regimen and get your hair back where you want it to be, so that both of you are HAPPY!
I am only 26 yrs old and i have lots of white hair..I have been colouring my hair using artificial dyes but hav given up six months ago..I want to try colouring and cover my grey hairs naturally..my hair is dark brown/black and waist length long and normal thick..I want to achieve light brown or brownish tint colour..please advise on what i should use and how much and at what intervals do i need in between to touchup the colour at the roots?thank you in advance.
Thank you for your post Namz.
I’d recommend you use henna and indigo to dye your hair the tone you’d like and you can also add amla powder to help promote hair growth and tone down the red of the henna powder, that it dyes. Use proportions of 60% indigo to 40% henna and add 3-4 tbps of amla powder per 100 grams of total herbs that you use. You can do this every 4-6 weeks. I hope this helps
I am new to ayurvedic powders, and I want to know where can I buy shikakai and amla powders? Also what are the best manufactured brands of these two powders? thanks
I have some greys and I love them and want to keep them. Are there any of your products I can use to strengthen my hair, but not turn by greys (white hair)yellowish or dark?
Thank you for your post Renata and Annie.
Renata, we sell those herbs at http://www.hennasooq.com and they are very high quality. We also have organic amla powder. If you are near one of our local pick up locations then you can also go to those places to purchase. Click on Our Locations in our website.
Annie, cassia has a low yellow dye molecule that may change them, and usually amla and shikakai powder don’t color your hair unless your grey hair just really drinks them up 🙂 But we have free samples of our herbs that we carry on our website. If you choose those, you can do a hair strand test to be 100% certain of which herbs work on your hair and which do not. I hope this helps! Not everyone’s hair takes the yellow dye of cassia, so the sample would be a good choice for you without having to make a large commitment or purchase.
Hi,
my hair is very thin. And now i started using shikakai powder. will it be effective?
Thank you for your post Alice. It will be effective but usually we recommend that as a base herb to use at least either henna powder or cassia to really help with thickening up of your hair. Have you tried those herbs as yet? You can add them along with your shikakai powder
Using Shikakai wont make my hair fall more will it? x
Hi Kyle. No shikakai won’t make your hair fall, but for hair growth amla powder is really good.
Nice article. Last Month I found this site and wanted to let you know that I have been gratified, going through your site’s pages. I shall be signing up to your RSS feed and might wait for your next post. Cheers, Lisa
Hi,
I have recently started using a weekly deep conditioning mixture of amla, shikakai and aritha powders. It has been making my hair soft and shining and I am sure I am getting great growt, is it ok to use these every week. Also i would really love to thicken my black hair but I do not want any colour change so I am scared of henna could I use Cassia and could I add this to my amla, shikakai and aritha mixture, should i then still use this weekly?
Many Thanks
Thank you for your post Antoinette. Every week is okay but just make sure that it doesn’t dry your hair out. The deep conditioner your using it great because it will prevent drying out if you were just using the straight herbs with just water alone. Yes you could add cassia to this regimen as well without color change. As long as you keep deep conditioning you are safe to use the herbs every week. The average usage for conditioning treatments is every 2-3 weeks. Enjoy!
Wow Thankyou so much for your speedy reply, this is such useful information – can i just ask will the cassia thicken my hair? Also the deep conditioner i mentioned with Aritha, shakikai and amla, i add a leave in conditioner and some olive oil, my hair is never dry always silky so i assume I can keep using it every week, my curls are also more defined, now my strands are healthier i just want to add more thickness.
Welcome Antoinette. Cassia will thicken your hair but it does act like a semi-permanent and needs to be done at least every 3-4 weeks. Henna lasts longer, and is done every 4-6 weeks. That sounds amazing!! Keep it up 🙂
I would like to say that this blog has been very useful!
I started the Shikakai treatment in my hair, but I don’t think I’m doing it properly. I ordered my shikakai from Pakistan.
I pour a teaspoon of shikakai into a bowl and let is soak in hot water. After an hour or two, I use that shikakai in my hair during a shower, as if it is my shampoo.
However, my hair is still breaking, a lot.
I want to use the shikakai to the best of its ability.
I have dark brown hair almost down to my waist. It’s been thin since i was little, but because of recent illnesses, it’s been lighter and falling out a lot more.
What oils should I use along with the shikakai? Am I using the shikakai powder properly? If not, how should I use it?
Thank you very much!
sid, try mixing 2tsp shikakai powder with 4tsp amla powder to make it more conditioning. make a paste with hot hot tap water and put the paste on immediately. let it sit for about 45 min to an hour, then wash it out. you dont use commercial shampoos and conditioners with ayurvedic powders because its not necessary . cassia powder is good for conditioning also. hope this helps your hair get very healthy