I heavy oil my hair but Aritha power does not wash oil out- What is happening?

[Dreamkitty]

I heavy oil my hair and leave it on for a long time, like 4 days and when I use the Aritha Powder it did not wash all the oil out. Ive heard that heavy oiling is done to condition the hair because of the drying effects of aritha. But when I used it my hair was left dry and sticky. Could it be that I left the oil on for too long and used too much that the power couldn't cope with washing it all out?:confused: However when I use conventional shampoo it gets rid of the oil and leaves my hair feeling very clean.

I was wondering what is the correct way to properly cleanse with Aritha if you oil the hair?

[Othala]

The correct way to use Reetha after a heavy oiling is to boil it up with a handful of Shikakai and leave both to soak overnight together. In the morning you can strain the liquid (if you have used the whole pods) or apply the paste to your scalp and hair in sections or as a gravy (pour the same liquid over your head repeatedly, best done in a plugged sink or a big bowl).

[Dreamkitty]

Thanks for the tips Othala. I was wondering which method will cleanse better? straining the liquid or making a very thick paste?. I always read reviews on how it cleans so perfectly so I don't know if Im doing this right or not.

And also are Hesh products, chemical free, 100% pure and real herbs? because I have been wary about whether I should use fresh soapnuts and make into powder myself. But the good thing about Hesh brand is that they are cheap and I have so many Indian stores close by where the products are always available.

[ktani]

The oiling is done with the idea that not all of the oil be washed out, so some is left behind, to help condition hair and offset artitha's dryness.

Both aritha and soapnuts do not remove vegetable oils as well as sebum. You may just need to use less oil.

See this thread re Hesh, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=56523

The advisory and recall has not been updated, which means the products are no longer advised to be used in Canada because of the consistent history of testing badly for contamination.

[Othala]

Thanks for the tips Othala. I was wondering which method will cleanse better? straining the liquid or making a very thick paste?. I always read reviews on how it cleans so perfectly so I don't know if Im doing this right or not.

And also are Hesh products, chemical free, 100% pure and real herbs? because I have been wary about whether I should use fresh soapnuts and make into powder myself. But the good thing about Hesh brand is that they are cheap and I have so many Indian stores close by where the products are always available.

You are most welcome, Dreamkitty.

Well, when I do a heavy oiling I make a paste and apply half of it to my hair roots/scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then I put hot water into my sink and mix up the other 50% of the paste into a gravy. I then rinse my head (using an old yoghurt pot, LOL) in the gravy and swish the length of my hair into the now thickened herb gravy. I keep pouring the gravy over my head and squeezing it through my hair until I can no longer feel the oil coating my hair.

I use Hesh Shikakai and I have also used whole dried Shikakai. I don't notice any difference in the effect but the latter is more time-consuming than the former. I don't believe Hesh Shikakai contains any additives. However, I found Hesh "Aritha" to not be very cleansing at all so I no longer use it. I use dried Reetha nuts which I buy in bulk quite cheaply.

I have the same problem with Hesh Amla. It does nothing for me whereas the effect of the fresh Amla fruit is wonderful.

[Dreamkitty]

Thanks Ktani for the tips. I actually was reading the thread about the contimination just now and read all the replies including the links you had posted in that thread, it is very useful.

It was a year ago I used Aritha and Shaikaki and it left my hair very dry, sticky, tangled. To be honest it felt awful and my hair turned into a mess. My mum said to throw it away and don't use it again, she said it's not 100% pure unless you grow it yourself and powder it yourself you know exactly whats going in and thats what probally most people in India do, collect fresh Aritha.

Im now scared to use Indian products from other brands because what if they are contaminated too? it's a shame because I love reading about all the Indian herbs, oils and hey just sound so great that I really want to use them:(. I guess I can try other Indian methods such as mashing up Lentil and Methi leaves as it feels much safer.

Can I ask are Western herbs safer to use? also do they get rid of the oil well? can you recommond me a natural home made shampoo that cleanses nicely?

Sorry if Im firing so many questions but I am curious and I can't find these answers in a book lol:o

[Dreamkitty]

You are most welcome, Dreamkitty.

Well, when I do a heavy oiling I make a paste and apply half of it to my hair roots/scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then I put hot water into my sink and mix up the other 50% of the paste into a gravy. I then rinse my head (using an old yoghurt pot, LOL) in the gravy and swish the length of my hair into the now thickened herb gravy. I keep pouring the gravy over my head and squeezing it through my hair until I can no longer feel the oil coating my hair.

I use Hesh Shikakai and I have also used whole dried Shikakai. I don't notice any difference in the effect but the latter is more time-consuming than the former. I don't believe Hesh Shikakai contains any additives. However, I found Hesh "Aritha" to not be very cleansing at all so I no longer use it. I use dried Reetha nuts which I buy in bulk quite cheaply.

I have the same problem with Hesh Amla. It does nothing for me whereas the effect of the fresh Amla fruit is wonderful.

This seems all very interesting, what ive found it that what works for one might not work for other. I just replied to Ktani above and read that hesh products are contiminated so I have to say I will probally not be buying these products again.

I do believe that Indian herbs are wonderful but if used fresh. I like the idea of getting the whole dried Shikakai it feels more wholesome and safer to use then the powdered ones. I decided I will either use Soapnuts and grind them myself or just use black gram and fenugreek:).

[ktani]

Thanks Ktani for the tips. I actually was reading the thread about the contimination just now and read all the replies including the links you had posted in that thread, it is very useful.

It was a year ago I used Aritha and Shaikaki and it left my hair very dry, sticky, tangled. To be honest it felt awful and my hair turned into a mess. My mum said to throw it away and don't use it again, she said it's not 100% pure unless you grow it yourself and powder it yourself you know exactly whats going in and thats what probally most people in India do, collect fresh Aritha.

Im now scared to use Indian products from other brands because what if they are contaminated too? it's a shame because I love reading about all the Indian herbs, oils and hey just sound so great that I really want to use them:(. I guess I can try other Indian methods such as mashing up Lentil and Methi leaves as it feels much safer.

Can I ask are Western herbs safer to use? also do they get rid of the oil well? can you recommond me a natural home made shampoo that cleanses nicely?

Sorry if Im firing so many questions but I am curious and I can't find these answers in a book lol:o

No worries and you are very welcome.

Henna Sooq makes excellent points here, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=1887509&postcount=156, in my opinion. It depends on the supplier and you can ask questions of one if you like or check them out. If you do ask questions ask for some proof.

Whether it is Eastern or Western suppliers, barring recalls, it comes down to the quality of the product. If you buy from a reputable supplier I think the products should be fine to use.

There are many recipes for homemade shampoos. I do not make my own shampoo. Others here do, from scratch, like In2wishin.

[Diamondbell]

What Othala says about boiling aritha and shikakai is good. I also boil about a 2tsp or 1 tbsp of rice flour along with with it, till it thickens. Then I apply it to the scalp. This is a sure way to remove the oils, at least more than with just aritha. Rice flour is also a good detangler!

[Othala]

What Othala says about boiling aritha and shikakai is good. I also boil about a 2tsp or 1 tbsp of rice flour along with with it, till it thickens. Then I apply it to the scalp. This is a sure way to remove the oils, at least more than with just aritha. Rice flour is also a good detangler!

Diamondbell, what a good idea about adding rice flour. I must try that.

My favourite washing mix is Shikakai with a couple of teaspoons of Methi seed powder for conditioning and adding slip.

Gosh, Diamondbell, now you have got me thinking about Kheer (yummy Indian rice pudding). :D

[Diamondbell]

Othala - Kheer! :yumm:
BTW I did the aritha/shikakai/rice powder wash even today. It's wonderful!!I can really ge rid of the oils unlike before, when I used just shikakai and aritha and wasn't that successful! :) So this combination is good! :thumbsup:

[Othala]

BTW I did the aritha/shikakai/rice powder wash even today. It's wonderful!!I can really ge rid of the oils unlike before, when I used just shikakai and aritha and wasn't that successful! :) So this combination is good! :thumbsup:

Thanks for the feedback about the rice powder Diamondbell. Now that you have tested it :o I will certainly do the same in my next wash.