vatika oil, alma, shikaki, and neem powder

[quitestorm22]

Has anyone ever used these together? If so how long did you use it and did you see a change in your hair? I have these and am thinking about mixing them together and using it as a prewash treatment before I go to the beauty salon this Friday.TIA

 

[morehairplease]

May I ask you where you got your neem powder and shikaki from? TIA

 

[greAtness333]

Many of us have used vatika and alma oil before. Use the search and you'll find the posts about them.

 

[Destanee]

I have some alma powder, but don't know how I should use it. Should I mix it with some oil or something?

 

[LABETT]

I just started using the alma oil and I like it may try others soon.

 

[Cat_Eyed_Cutie]

My search function is not working...if someone could bump the review thread(s) of Alma hair oil, place the links in this thread, or write a short review here I'd really appreciate it. TIA!

 

[sassygirl125]

I lost the URL, but there was an Indian website that said your are supposed to pour hot (not boiling) water over the powder. Let the powder settle on the bottom and then strain it and use the water as shampoo. I think fromnaturewithlove.com or cedarvale.net has instructions, too.

 

[NGC]

I hope this is helpful to you:
From fromnaturewithlove website:
shikakai powder comes from de-shelled shikakai nuts. Shikakai is referred to as "fruit for the hair." It has a naturally mild pH, and it gently cleans the hair without stripping it of natural oils. Use shikakai as a natural hair wash for sensitive scalps or to control dandruff. Shikakai is said to promote hair growth and strengthen hair roots. For best results, combine 1 tablespoon each of shikakai powder, amla powder, bhringraj and aritha powder. Add them to 1 cup boiling water. Allow the infusion to sit for 10 minutes. If you have dandruff or scalp problems, you can add 1 teaspoon of neem powder to this mixture. You can also add 1 teaspoon of liquid castille soap to the mixture if you have very oily hair. Once cooled, use this mixture to wash your hair. Rinse well with warm water. If desired, follow with a light spritzing of amla and brahmi oils to condition the hair.

From redrosehenna website:

Acacia Concinna is a small shrub-like tree which grows in the warm, dry plains of central India. For centuries the people who have had access to this tree have used its pod-like fruit to clean their hair. They collect, dry and grind this pod into a powder which is considered a superior cleanser for "lustrous long hair" and has been reported as "promoting hair growth and preventing dandruff". Because of these benefits, this powder was named "shikakai" which literally translates as "fruit for the hair" .

Typically, shikakai is mixed with water to make a paste which is worked through the hair. It lathers moderately and cleans hair beautifully. It has a natural low pH, is extremely mild, and doesn't strip hair of natural oils. Usually no rinse or conditioner is used since shikakai also acts as a detangler. This ancient product is probably the world's original pH balanced shampoo.

Shikakai is a complete tonic for retaining complete softness of hair. It is a unique remedy for natural and beautiful hair. At NITIN EXPORTS its powder is prepared for your use with the choicest of Shikakai. Efficient process hygiene maintains the nourishing essences of the Shikakai.

It also helps in removing dandruff and lice.Shikakai is a nut from a tree. The powder is used to wash hair. It is very effective in removing oil and dirt from hair. The normal practice is to apply oil to hair and scalp and allow it soak for sometime. This will keep the body cool, reducing body heat & also prevent the scalp from getting dry. The powdered shikakai is used as a shampoo to wash off the oil.


Shikakai is a nut from a tree. The powder is used to wash hair. It is very effective in removing oil and dirt from hair. The normal practice is to apply oil to hair and scalp and allow it soak for sometime. This will keep the body cool, reducing body heat & also prevent the scalp from getting dry. The powdered shikakai is used as a shampoo to wash off the oil.
Various other items like amla, fenugreek (vendayam), green gram (payaru), curry leaves (karuvaepilai), hibiscus flowers are dried along with the nut and powdered. Amla, vendayam, hibiscus have a cooling effect. and aid in hair growth. Karuvaepilai and amla aid in darkening of hair colour.

 

[SVT]

[ QUOTE ]
Destinee said:
I have some alma powder, but don't know how I should use it. Should I mix it with some oil or something?

[/ QUOTE ]

I pour the powder into a plastic bowl then pour hot water over it. Then I secure the lid on the bowl and shake really well. After the mix cools down enough for my scalp, I pour it all over my hair and down into my roots, let it air dry then rinse.

I like a thin consistency because too much powder might mean that you THOUGHT you had rinsed all those little granules out of your hair.

I have a bottle of amla oil I'm trying to use up by pouring a little bit into the amla powder mix. I also might add vatika, castor and/or coconut oil.

I'm using the amla powder as a treatment for shedding. It seems to be doing an okay job.

HTH!

 

[Cat_Eyed_Cutie]

BUMPING for answers to my post

 

[quitestorm22]

Thanks guys, I got my powders from a store on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, there are alot of Indian grocers in the area. I only paid $2.00 for each of the powders. The directions say to mix with water or oil to make a paste, apply to hair and scalp , wait for 1/2 hour then wash out.

 

[Cat_Eyed_Cutie]

bump

 

[Destanee]

Thank you!

 

[CLASSYEBONYGIRL]

Bumping for shikakai powder reviews!!

 

[Chinagem]

I sometimes use the powders along with a few other powders and sans oil as a shampoo. It cleanses my hair pretty good.

 

[CLASSYEBONYGIRL]

Thanks Chinagem for responding. Just a little update. Yesterday I did a prepoo with 2 tablespoon shikakai powder, 2 tablespoon amla powder, 2 tablespoon mayonaise, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon molasses, 2 tablespoon moisturizing conditioner, 1 egg and 2 ounces of water. After mixing, I slathered it all over my hair, put on a plastic cap and left it on for 5 hours. The end result was amazing!! My hair felt extremely strong but soft at the same time. I also realized that my curl pattern was tighter with less frizz and my hair was shiny. I might not need to buy any commercial protein treatment after incorporating this mixture and henna in my regime.

 

[LaNecia]

Hey Classy!

I've used a Shikakai shampoo which I purchased from Whole Foods, I wasn't impressed. I've mixed it with warm/hot water to make a 'tea' and used that for washing my hair. It leaves my hair feeling very soft but not with that 'shampooed' feeling. I'm still working with this one.

I typically use it when I do a henna treatment (which I have on my head right now). I mix it with the henna, amla, bhrami and bhringraj (which I'm out of right now ). My hair usually turns out great from this treatment. My ratio is like: 100 grams henna, 50 of each of the rest.

I don't use the neem powder too much, it's an antiseptic type cleanswers/astringent and it's a MUTHA if you get it in your eyes when rinsing. The neem oil stinks to HOLY HECK AND back again. :fart: It's good but I can't hang with the smell. Makes MTM smell like cotton candy.

 

[CLASSYEBONYGIRL]

Hey Classy!

I've used a Shikakai shampoo which I purchased from Whole Foods, I wasn't impressed. I've mixed it with warm/hot water to make a 'tea' and used that for washing my hair. It leaves my hair feeling very soft but not with that 'shampooed' feeling. I'm still working with this one.

I typically use it when I do a henna treatment (which I have on my head right now). I mix it with the henna, amla, bhrami and bhringraj (which I'm out of right now ). My hair usually turns out great from this treatment. My ratio is like: 100 grams henna, 50 of each of the rest.

I don't use the neem powder too much, it's an antiseptic type cleanswers/astringent and it's a MUTHA if you get it in your eyes when rinsing. The neem oil stinks to HOLY HECK AND back again. :fart: It's good but I can't hang with the smell. Makes MTM smell like cotton candy.

I missed you but I know you are very busy right now. Sorry you had an undesirable experience with shikakai. I purchased it with the intentions of using it as a strengthener and conditioner not for clarifying purposes.

I wanted to see the results of the amla powder and shikakai powder without henna. When I do my next henna treatment I will only use henna, no amla or shikakai along with oil, honey and conditioner to see if my hair will be less hard. I can't believe you use 100 grams of henna for one application.

LOL @ the neem oil comments.

 

[Nanyanika]

shikaki dried out my hair, its good for clarifying though

 

[LaNecia]

I missed you but I know you are very busy right now. Sorry you had an undesirable experience with shikakai. I purchased it with the intentions of using it as a strengthener and conditioner not for clarifying purposes.

I wanted to see the results of the amla powder and shikakai powder without henna. When I do my next henna treatment I will only use henna, no amla or shikakai along with oil, honey and conditioner to see if my hair will be less hard. I can't believe you use 100 grams of henna for one application.

LOL @ the neem oil comments.

You're the best! How did that relaxer work for you?

The shikakai by itself is okay, just that shampoo blend...waste of $7.00!

My hair was a bit hard when I first started...are you using any Aritha powder? If so, that's definitely a part of the problem. LaLa posted in a thread a few years ago about having the same problem with the Aritha. After a few applications (without the Aritha), the hardness went away and replaced with a 'strong' feeling to the hair. Does that make any sense?

Something you may want to do is follow up with a Roux Porosity Control Treatment (perhaps even an ACV rinse) for a minute or two. Works wonders on my hair after a henna treatment!

Oh, and I MIX 100 grams of henna, I never end up using it all. By the time I done adding all the powders together, I'm at about 250 - 300 grams! I use about a third and freeze the rest for next time!

 

[CLASSYEBONYGIRL]

You're the best! How did that relaxer work for you?

The shikakai by itself is okay, just that shampoo blend...waste of $7.00!

My hair was a bit hard when I first started...are you using any Aritha powder? If so, that's definitely a part of the problem. LaLa posted in a thread a few years ago about having the same problem with the Aritha. After a few applications (without the Aritha), the hardness went away and replaced with a 'strong' feeling to the hair. Does that make any sense?

Something you may want to do is follow up with a Roux Porosity Control Treatment (perhaps even an ACV rinse) for a minute or two. Works wonders on my hair after a henna treatment!

Oh, and I MIX 100 grams of henna, I never end up using it all. By the time I done adding all the powders together, I'm at about 250 - 300 grams! I use about a third and freeze the rest for next time!

Aww thanks!! The relaxer works great but it processes super duper fast but I love the way it makes my hair feel silky and soft. I have only used it once so far. My henna treatment gets better each time I do it but I still experience some hardness even though I clarify really well and deep condition using Porosity control and loads of conditioner. I am not using any aritha only amla.

Thanks for clearing up the henna application because henna is too precious to use so much at one time. I know I am stingy.