Best method for using Shikakai?

[Diamondbell]

I have been using Shikakai in the past after heavy oiling. I just realized that I never ever really got all the oils out by using Shikakai. I use about 2 tbsp. or more of Shikakai in cold water, mix it and let it stand for a while before use. Somehow I never have had success with Shikakai! Yesterday I used Shikakai and the end results were so bad that I had to wash hair all over again, using the oil+shampoo method, which got the oils out, in fact hair feels great now.

Has anyone had success in removing oils (after heavy oiling) using Shikakai?

[vanessa_2010]

I´ve done it twice and both times my hair was completely clean and oil-free after I washed with shikakai. How do you apply the shikakai? Maybe you don´t cover all your hair with it or don´t let it sit in your hair for long enough? Though I only let it sit for 5 minutes and it works...
Or maybe it depends on the oils you use, I use jojoba and argan oil for the oiling...

[Diamondbell]

I left it on only for 5 minutes. But I used a lot of coconut oil before using shikakai. May be I should have let it sit for longer or mixed with other herbs like reetha and in larger quantities!

[kdaniels8811]

Cut back on the amount of oil. A lot to me means several drops rubbed between the palm of your hands and smoothed on hair. A little means a drop for waist length hair. You may be using too much oil. A little goes a long way.

[virgo75]

Shikakai worked for me to remove heavy oilings but I had to wash twice.

I would also mix the shikakai with hot water from the tap(as hot as it would get) - 2TBS of shikakai to 7 oz. of water. You might need more than that since your hair is longer than mine. Shake up and let sit for an hour or more.

I would then lean over the bathtub and apply about 2/3 of it to my hair and scalp concentrating on the scalp using a developer bottle. I would massage that in and let sit for a few minutes, then rinse. I would add more water to the 1/3 of shikakai left over and use that for a second wash. That would usually get out everything.

I found reetha more harsh and could take out the oil with one wash, but it also dried my hair.

Good luck! I hope it works out for you. :flower:

[Diamondbell]

Cut back on the amount of oil. A lot to me means several drops rubbed between the palm of your hands and smoothed on hair. A little means a drop for waist length hair. You may be using too much oil. A little goes a long way.
Thanks kdaniels8811 I need to reduce the oils then. I use about a tablespoon or even 2 tbsp. of oil! :)



I would also mix the shikakai with hot water from the tap(as hot as it would get) - 2TBS of shikakai to 7 oz. of water.

II would add more water to the 1/3 of shikakai left over and use that for a second wash. That would usually get out everything.

Good luck! I hope it works out for you. :flower:

OK - the hot water mix seems to be a good idea. Second wash is definitely good, I hope I can do that the next time :D Thanks!!

[little_cherry]

I use warm water....500ml or warm water, 1 tbs shikakai, amla, methi and hibiscus..then I let it 'steep' for 1/2 and hour. I pour it over wet hair and leave it on for 10 minutes+...gets the oil out every time without drying my hair.

[Diamondbell]

I use warm water....500ml or warm water, 1 tbs shikakai, amla, methi and hibiscus..then I let it 'steep' for 1/2 and hour. I pour it over wet hair and leave it on for 10 minutes+...gets the oil out every time without drying my hair.

Thanks little_cherry - this is even better, using all those other herbs along with shikakai in warm water, probably the best method, to get all the oil out! Thanks a lot! :) I have to stock the other stuff.

[Annalouise]

Diamondbell - I have the same problem because I heavy oil my hair 2-3 times a week. I use aritha though. If I use 2 tbsp of aritha/reetha in a herbal tea it will not remove all the oil. And I use about 2-3 tbsp of oil on my head. However, what does remove all the oil for me is if I mix 3 tbsp of reetha and 3 tbsp of henna into a mud and rub that into my hair and let it sit for 5 min. My hair comes out clean. Henna is very cleansing. I've tried it with reetha and another herb besides henna like hibiscus or tulsi or need but they dont' clean the hair and henna does.
I suppose if you mix shikakai and reetha (3tbsp of each) then that will clean it also if you make a mud and apply it and leave it on five minutes.

Another way to really clean it after a heavy oil is to mix your cleanser of shikakai or reetha with fullers earth. Make a mud for your hair, apply it, leave it on 5 minutes and then rinse.

I like reetha better than shikakai and I find it less drying. :)
I did a heavy oil last night and so I'm going to make a mud to wash today.
I keep a bottle of reetha mixed with herbs in the fridge but it won't work after a heavy oiling. So I'll prepare a mud mixture.

Sinse I heavy oil my hair a lot it gets expensive to use herbs because I have to use a lot to get all the oil out.:) But I can't stop heavy oiling my hair because my hair loves it. Using a few drops of oil does absolutely nothing for the bulk of my hair. I have to saturate all the hairs. And I rub oils with rosemary and lavender essential oils into my scalp at night.

I love herbs they are so much fun. When I don't get all the oil out I just bun my hair that day.:)

[Diamondbell]

Thanks Annalouise!! More great ideas. I had no idea that shikakai could be mixed with Fuller's Earth! Have to try that! :) - I too love Reetha!