{"product_id":"shikakai-powder","title":"Shikakai Powder for Natural Hair Wash | 100g","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eShikakai\u003c\/em\u003e means \"fruit for the hair\", which is as direct as product naming gets. Indian households washed hair with it for centuries before shampoo arrived, and it is still the gentlest wash you can give a scalp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat It Does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShikakai contains natural saponins — it lathers a little, loosens oil and dirt, and leaves the scalp's own balance alone. It cleans less aggressively than shampoo. That is the point, and it is also what people find strange for the first fortnight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCleans without stripping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeaves hair soft and manageable, so conditioner is often unnecessary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNaturally slightly acidic, which suits the scalp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWill not strip henna or natural colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Use It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo to three tablespoons in a bowl, depending on hair length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd warm water slowly to a thin, pourable paste. Let it sit twenty minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWet the hair, then work the paste into the scalp with your fingertips.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMassage two or three minutes. It will not lather like shampoo — this is normal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse very thoroughly. Grit left behind is the commonest complaint and it is always under-rinsing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWith reetha\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe classical pairing is two parts shikakai to one part \u003ca href=\"\/products\/reetha-powder\"\u003ereetha\u003c\/a\u003e. Reetha brings the cleansing power, shikakai brings the softness. Add a spoon of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/amla-powder\"\u003eamla\u003c\/a\u003e for shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe First Three Weeks\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are coming off sulphate shampoo, expect hair to feel heavier at first while the scalp adjusts to not being stripped. Most people find it settles somewhere around week three. Keep it away from the eyes — shikakai stings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100g · Pure shikakai, no fillers\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor external use only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Avoid contact with eyes. Patch test before first use.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Airtight and dry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ayurveda Amrita","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47740715893033,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0859\/5832\/8617\/files\/46_f1dfbbf3-745d-4cb8-ac75-1905cf93083c.png?v=1748931466","url":"https:\/\/www.ayurvedaamrita.org\/products\/shikakai-powder","provider":"Ayurveda Amrita","version":"1.0","type":"link"}