Awesome hair wash experience! (Meera)

[LHGypsyRose]

I just wanted to share that I had the best hair washing experience earlier today!

I have been trying indian herb washes out for a few months now, but I haven't quiet been able to find the perfect combination to leave my hair nice and with out tangles. But I think I have finally found it!

For washing I used a product of India called Meera, and it is simply a mixture of Indian herbs including Shikakai, Tulsi, Reetha, Hibiscus and Fenugreek powders. I plan to make my own mixture soon, but for starters I picked something pre-mixed. I used approx. 3 tsp. of powder to 300ml water. Shook that up real well in a jar and applied through out all of my wet hair. Let that sit for aprox. 3-4 min. then rinsed.

For coniditioning (which I can do without if neccasary), I used Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose. Left in for approx 5 min.

Then did a light ACV rinse before doing my ussual cold water rinse. I'm sure my hair would have felt just as amazing without the ACV rinse, but it had been a couple washes since my last use.

Anyway, the results were a head of very soft, silky hair that I could run my fingers through even while my hair was wet which is pretty unusaul for my hair! Looks like Giovanni may be getting replaced very soon.:p

[kam984420]

That's awesome! Hooray!:cheese:

[LHGypsyRose]

That's awesome! Hooray!:cheese:

Thank you:) I am so relieved that I can finally be at ease and stop experimenting for awhile. lol

[gdimoonbeam]

I already have 2 of those powders now I'm very interested to find out what else I need to make your combination.

I used Reetha to night and I'm waiting for it to dry. I bet the Fenugreek made it smell good.

[LHGypsyRose]

When I make my mixture, I think I will use Shikakia, Reetha, Amla, Fenugreek and maybe even some Cassia although I'm not quiet sure if anyone uses that in hair washes. Acctually my hair just smelled like I used an organic hair product until after I used the honey suckle rose. I don't even know what Fenugreek smells like since I'm still learning.

[Diamondbell]

That's a good powder for hair wash! The powder has a lot of good ingredients:
Eucalyptus globulus, Vigna radiata (mung bean), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Madhuca longifolia(Illupai, Katillipi(tamil)/Eng: Mahua seeds/Indian butter nut), Cinnamomum tamala, Cyperus rotundas(Wild Licorice), Lippia nodiflora (poduthalai), Acacia concinna (Shikakai), Ocimum sanctum(tulsi), Hedychium spicatum (Kapur Kachri in Hindi/ Tamil-Poolankizhangu ), Albizia amara(Arappu thool), Vetiveria zizaniodes, Trigonella doenum-graecum (Fenugreek seeds), Sapindus trifolatus (aritha) , conditioners, excipients.

[devs12]

wow just 3 tbs for 46" long hair ? I m reading it correctly ? so you did not pre oil your hair, Am I right. I always tend to use too much then ;)

[LHGypsyRose]

That's a good powder for hair wash! The powder has a lot of good ingredients:
Eucalyptus globulus, Vigna radiata (mung bean), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Madhuca longifolia(Illupai, Katillipi(tamil)/Eng: Mahua seeds/Indian butter nut), Cinnamomum tamala, Cyperus rotundas(Wild Licorice), Lippia nodiflora (poduthalai), Acacia concinna (Shikakai), Ocimum sanctum(tulsi), Hedychium spicatum (Kapur Kachri in Hindi/ Tamil-Poolankizhangu ), Albizia amara(Arappu thool), Vetiveria zizaniodes, Trigonella doenum-graecum (Fenugreek seeds), Sapindus trifolatus (aritha) , conditioners, excipients.

Your right! It is great and I love it. I hope it will work as good when I make my own although it won't have quite as many ingredients.:o


wow just 3 tbs for 46" long hair ? I m reading it correctly ? so you did not pre oil your hair, Am I right. I always tend to use too much then ;)

I used approx. 3 teaspoons. The canister acctually comes with it's own scoop in it and I used three. I am just guessing that 1 scoop is equal to about 1 teaspoon. It was plenty for all of my hair! I really think I will try just 2 scoops next time. I mainly concentrated on my scalp and let that run down the length, and then I used what was left and poored directly into the length. Today my hair looks like I washed with a regular shampoo and conditioner and it's not oily at all! Oh yes, I did forget to mention that before I got in the shower I did a pre-wash condition/oil, but I usually do that anyway. I LOVE IT!! :)

[kdaniels8811]

Okay, I am heading to the Indian store/deli..... Smile!!

[Deborah]

Gypsy,

1. When you mixed the powder, how much water did you use?

2. Was the mixture a paste or a liquid?

3. Did you massage it on your scalp and through your hair, or did you just pour it on, let it sit a few minutes, then rinse?

Thanks! :)

[LHGypsyRose]

Gypsy,

1. When you mixed the powder, how much water did you use?

2. Was the mixture a paste or a liquid?

3. Did you massage it on your scalp and through your hair, or did you just pour it on, let it sit a few minutes, then rinse?

Thanks! :)

Hey Deborah:)

I used about 300ml of water to 3 teaspoons of Meera powder. Than I shook it all up in a glass jar until it got real sudsy (So it was a liquid at that point) Then I poored that over my wet hair in the shower and I massaged into my scalp real good. Of course it was already running down the length of my hair as it was very watery after mixing it. But I still saved a bit to poor directly onto length. I let it sit approx. 3 min. before rinsing out, and I then followed with an Aubrey Organics condition. For me, it is definately a keeper!

[tabitie]

Dear Gypsy Rose,

Thank you for your tips. I love your shiny brown coiled cinnabun (cinnamon colored as well!!)

I am trying to find a natural conditioner heavy enough to control my frizz and weight down my curls. Catnip isn't heavy enough to do this for me, although it did clean the scalp very well, and made the hair smooth and soft.

How do you prepare fenugreek? Does anyone know? Can you rinse first with Amla, then fenugreek or both at the same time and wrap?

Thanks!

[lynnala]

When I make my mixture, I think I will use Shikakia, Reetha, Amla, Fenugreek and maybe even some Cassia although I'm not quiet sure if anyone uses that in hair washes. Acctually my hair just smelled like I used an organic hair product until after I used the honey suckle rose. I don't even know what Fenugreek smells like since I'm still learning.Hi GypsyRose, I've been using Indian herbs for a few months now, and I really really love the way they leave my hair. I put cassia in my mix, mostly just because I had some, and my hair does come out very shiny, although I'm not sure the cassia is doing that, but it sure can't hurt! Welcome to the IHW club! Well, there's really not a club, but I'm glad you found a routine that you like!:)

[Aditi]

I am so glad you finally found something worth for your hair.

[tabitie]

Thanks for listing out the ingredients, DiamondBell, on the previous page.

I will have to study up on everyone's conditioner threads. It seems like almost everyone puts something fatty on their hair in addition to conditioning herbs.

I used amla and fenugreek last night, after wetting my hair. I could tell it wasn't a conditioner by itself-- the catnip left it smoother than these two-- although I really like how the amla makes the hair "FEEL STRONG" and seems to relax my curl, making the hair thicker and stronger. I ended up using lots of commercial conditioner afterwords and am happy with the way it dried.

I will have to read more but thankyou Gipsy Rose and DiamondBell.

[kdaniels8811]

Okay, any idea where i can get Meera mail order? I contacted the Indian store here and they do not carry it, searched the web and found a supplier in Singapore. I am looking for something in the United States, any leads? Thank you so much!

[LHGypsyRose]

Hi GypsyRose, I've been using Indian herbs for a few months now, and I really really love the way they leave my hair. I put cassia in my mix, mostly just because I had some, and my hair does come out very shiny, although I'm not sure the cassia is doing that, but it sure can't hurt! Welcome to the IHW club! Well, there's really not a club, but I'm glad you found a routine that you like!:)

I think it should definately be a club, because it took alot of convinicing for me to give IHWs a try, so it deserves some type of honor for those brave souls who step away from the ordinary:) Thank you for letting me know that it's ok to put cassia in my wash. I'm not to sure if it will do anything for my hair using it this way, but with the benifits that its supposedly provides, I'd say it's worth a try.



I am so glad you finally found something worth for your hair.

Thank you:)


Thanks for listing out the ingredients, DiamondBell, on the previous page.

I will have to study up on everyone's conditioner threads. It seems like almost everyone puts something fatty on their hair in addition to conditioning herbs.

I used amla and fenugreek last night, after wetting my hair. I could tell it wasn't a conditioner by itself-- the catnip left it smoother than these two-- although I really like how the amla makes the hair "FEEL STRONG" and seems to relax my curl, making the hair thicker and stronger. I ended up using lots of commercial conditioner afterwords and am happy with the way it dried.

I will have to read more but thankyou Gipsy Rose and DiamondBell.

I wish I could help you find what you are looking for, but as I am a beginner myself I really couldn't say. Have you tried any of the Aubrey Organics conditioning products??


Okay, any idea where i can get Meera mail order? I contacted the Indian store here and they do not carry it, searched the web and found a supplier in Singapore. I am looking for something in the United States, any leads? Thank you so much!

See this is where my problem comes in too. I was lucky to be able to find what I got through a seller on Ebay. I believe it was the "All India Store" out of California. Kind of pricey too, but scince I only wash once a week I think it will last for some time. This is why I plan to make my own hair wash, plus it will be much cheaper! :)

[Flaxen]

Just a note:
Meera Hairwash Powder may not be 100% herbs. If you will notice the list of ingredients, it says, "key ingredients," not "all ingredients." We had several discussions about this product in the archive (links in a minute), and some of our Indian herbal washers said the powder foams differently and too well for it to be completely without synthetic ingredients.

Read this post and surrounding ones (http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?p=1331249#post1331249).

Meera Hairwash Powder thread (http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=46526).

Another Meera thread (http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=43471[/url).

[kdaniels8811]

Enablers, all of you! Smile!! I just ordered some, hey, why not try it? Since I am saving ALL this money by not cutting, dyeing, shampooing my hair... Spend it on herbs and hairtoys, my 60th street for is on its way! Yay! Thank you for the information, I had searched e-bay and that store had not come up previously. I will let you know how it works for me.

[LHGypsyRose]

Just a note:
Meera Hairwash Powder may not be 100% herbs.

Thank you for pointing that out Flaxen. Although I have to wonder if the additives could be any worse than what is in our normal everyday Shampoos and Conditioners. Oh well, I am going to make my own anyway.

I see that people had a lot of mixed results with the product also so maybe it just works in my hair, or maybe it was the AO. Who knows.


Enablers, all of you! Smile!! I just ordered some, hey, why not try it? Since I am saving ALL this money by not cutting, dyeing, shampooing my hair... Spend it on herbs and hairtoys, my 60th street for is on its way! Yay! Thank you for the information, I had searched e-bay and that store had not come up previously. I will let you know how it works for me.

Awesome! I hope it works for you as well as it did for me! After reading the threads that Flaxen posted I see that people have alot of mixed results. Good luck and I you will keep us posted:)

[kdaniels8811]

Tried Meera last night, put a scoop in a plastic cup with a cup of warm water and poured half of it over my head, let it sit for a minute and massaged scalp, rinsed, poured the rest over head again and let it sit 5 minutes or so while I finished my shower. My hair is shiny and felt thick today, I had a hard time getting my hair fork situated! That is a first. So my first experience is very positive, will keep using it for a couple weeks and see if this trend continues.

[wahmof9]

I found an old thread in the archives about Meera hair powder.

I have some and have used it twice now.

I oiled both times before.

The first time I used 2 scoops and did not strain the herbs and applied a very thin paste to my hair let it sot for a while - around 20 min - and then rinsed. The oil was pretty much gone.

This time - I did use a different oil - I used 1 scoop (abt 1 TB) plst 1 TB methi and then 300 ml of water. Let this sit for 30 mn and then strained it. Applied to my hair and let sit 15 min. My hair still looks oily.

It is shiny and silky but a tad oily looking.

I am new to all this...any advice from the pros?

[wahmof9]

Lynnala,

What beautiful growth and your hair looks wonderful!

[wahmof9]

Whomever moved my post thank you! I got my questions answered:cheese:

[manderly]

Here's an ebay link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MEERA-HERBAL-HAIR-WASH-POWDER-RARE-NATURAL-SHAMPOO_W0QQitemZ130296925370QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _Health_Beauty_Hair_Care_Shampoo_Conditioner_PP?ha sh=item130296925370&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

I may give this a try when I get some money :D

[wahmof9]

I used Meera last night 2 scoops plus 1 of methi in 350 ml of water. In hindsight I'll use 1 scoop and 150 ml of water...

I oiled first...last time I strained it and the oil was not removed. This time I used it as you would henna and it was fantastic. Oil all gone, hair feels great...

Will do again...

[LHGypsyRose]

I love Meera!! :joy:

[manderly]

I love Meera!! :joy:

Can I ask why you're getting into poo bars? Is it just experimentation? I thought maybe you decided you didn't like Meera, but now I see that isn't the case. :lol:

[WelshLocks]

Is this stuff good for your hair?I've never used organic products or anything on my hair.I tried oil on there once and it looked horrendously grrasy the next day. :/ I haven;t done anything since.

[wahmof9]

I love Meera!! :joy:
Have you ever made your own? If so do you still like Meera best?

[LHGypsyRose]

Can I ask why you're getting into poo bars? Is it just experimentation? I thought maybe you decided you didn't like Meera, but now I see that isn't the case. :lol:

Lol..yes I am just experimenting. Some people seem to be so pleased with thier results that I thought I 'd give it a try too. Besides Meera is not so easy to get in the U.S. :(


Is this stuff good for your hair?I've never used organic products or anything on my hair.I tried oil on there once and it looked horrendously grrasy the next day. :/ I haven;t done anything since.

There are a few ladies on here that seem to think that Meera may contain some not so "natural" ingredients becuase of the way it lathers so well. Rather thats true or not I don't know, but I do know that Meera does contain alot of ingredients that are really good for the hair. So if it did contain anything bad, I woudn't think it could be any worse than what is in our regular mass produced hair products.:shrug:


Have you ever made your own? If so do you still like Meera best?

No, unfortunately I have not gotten the chance to do that yet, but I do hope to eventually:)

[Deborah]

Just a heads up. I found Meera at an Indian store called Bombay Bazaar for $2.99. That seems pretty reasonable to me, so I thought I'd let you know. I think Bombay Bazaar is a chain, as I see them mentioned in many different cities when I did a search.

Ordering off ebay would cost a little over $11 (with shipping), so this is way cheaper than buying it that way. :)

[Natalia]

Oh congratulations! Im just starting to make my own mixes. Im not as fancy as you all yet just trying basic herbs and tea right now but i look forward to trying all this stuff someday :). I will deffinatly be hitting up this thread again when i do!

[Deborah]

I bought some of the Meera Hairwash Powder a week or so ago. It works well, watered down as GypsyRose instructed. My hair is nice, clean and shiny.

BUT, (maybe the canister I got is more recently made than the rest of you have, I don't know) the first ingredient listed is "sodium dodecyl sulfate." I looked this up, and it appears to be just about the same thing as our dreaded enemy, "sodium lauryl sulfate." RATS! :-(

What about the Heenara or Bindi hairwash powders? Do they contain detergents too?

I am pretty bummed.

Are the Hesh brand herbal powders pure amla, aritha, or whatever herb they claim to be?

If the Hesh particular-herb powders are pure, could I just mix a couple, like aritha or amla or shitakai (sp?) and make my own hairwash powder?

I notice that most of these ingredients say to make a paste and wash with that, but I'd like to mix it into 8 or 10 ounces of water, shake it up and use it like that (as I did with Meera.) Would that work?

[enfys]

As far as I'm aware Hesh is pure. I don't know how much is in an ounce, but I mix 5 tablespoons of herbs to about 450ml water and shake it up to wash my hair. It's runny I promise.

I use 2 tblsps shikakai to 3 of amla. It was a recipe in the main article.

[LHGypsyRose]

[quote=Deborah;554099]I bought some of the Meera BUT, (maybe the canister I got is more recently made than the rest of you have, I don't know) the first ingredient listed is "sodium dodecyl sulfate." I looked this up, and it appears to be just about the same thing as our dreaded enemy, "sodium lauryl sulfate." RATS! :-(quote]

Oh no! That is not listed in the ingredient list of my canister! I wonder if this is a new additive?! That figures:rolleyes:

[curly girl fla]

The Heenara and Bindi (I have both onhand) do not have anything other than the herbal ingredients. No foaming, but great cleansing and conditioning...

[Deborah]

Thanks. I'll research these a little more. The Meera does foam a little, not a lot like regular shampoo, but there is definite foam.


The Heenara and Bindi (I have both onhand) do not have anything other than the herbal ingredients. No foaming, but great cleansing and conditioning...

[Deborah]

My container says it is batch number 167, that it was made on 05/07, and that it is best before 04/09. If yours is older, maybe it was before someone forced them to list ALL of the ingredients. Maybe to be sold in the US they were forced to be completely labeled. I'm just guessing.



[quote=Deborah;554099]
Oh no! That is not listed in the ingredient list of my canister! I wonder if this is a new additive?! That figures:rolleyes:

[LHGypsyRose]

The Heenara and Bindi (I have both onhand) do not have anything other than the herbal ingredients. No foaming, but great cleansing and conditioning...
Hmm..maybe I'll give these a try too when I get on a experimenting kick again.

[quote=Deborah;554388]My container says it is batch number 167, that it was made on 05/07, and that it is best before 04/09. If yours is older, maybe it was before someone forced them to list ALL of the ingredients. Maybe to be sold in the US they were forced to be completely labeled. I'm just guessing.

Ooo I bet your right..well, I guess it's back to using Giovanni again full time. Not that it's a bad thing, just really liked the idea of herbal hair washes.:p