Herbs and Their Uses

Hartitaki (Kadukkai (Tamil and Malayalam)/Harra/Haritaki (Hindi)/ Black myrobalan, Chebulic myrobalan, Ink nut, Indian gall-nut, Gallnut(English)
Chinese: He zi , He li le (Taiwan).
Botanical name:Terminalia chebula, Terminalia reticulata

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8...iachebuvb4.jpg

What it does: Haritaki fruit is sweet, sour and astringent in taste, as well as slightly bitter and pungent. It strengthens immunity while exerting a mild laxative effect. Haritaki fruit is part of triphala, the three-fruit formula in Ayurveda.

Haritaki is said to have strong anti-bacterial properties. It is revitalizing, toning, nourishing and astringent when used in skin and hair care formulations. Add haritaki powder to facial scrubs, masks, body wraps, hair wraps and hair rinses.
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Some recipes with Haritaki:
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1)Apply the paste of Haritaki to the scalp and leave
it on for a few minutes, and then wash the hair.
It is very good for treating dandruff, and does not
leave the scalp dry after washing

2) The fruits of medicinal tree Harra/Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) can be used for good hair growth. The people in Chattisgarrh, India, collect the fruits from trees and boil it in base oil. When cracks occur in fruits, boiling is stopped. (The fruit is green in color). The oil is stored for future use. The natives use this oil daily after taking bath. According to them, it is effective against lice and dandruff also.
[Source: http://www.botanical.com/site/column...haircare.html]

3 )'Haritaki' or Black Myrobalan (Terminalia Chebula), 'Vibhitaki' or Belearic Myrobalan (Terminalia Belerica) and 'Amalaki' or Indian Goose Berry (Embelica officinalis) - together called as 'Triphala' - powder of these in equal quantity is mixed with water and applied to the scalp for 1 hour and washed with lukewarm water, against dandruff

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I am just trying to add herb names one by one – with a new link for each - with images of them and their uses. If anyone has any more recipes with this herb you may add them. Also if there are any errors, please let me know, so that I can correct them. As and when I get new information on these herbs I will keep adding them :flower:

Amla

Arappu

Ash Gourd

Beetroot

Bermuda Grass

Bhringraj

Bitter Apple

Brahmi

Brahmi/Gotu Kola

Butterfly Pea

Champak

Chinese Chaste Tree

Coconut

Curry Leaf

Drumstick Leaves

Fenugreek

Fireweed

Frogfruit

Golden Apple

Gram Dal

Greater Burdock

Green Gram

Henna

Hibiscus

Hill Conehead

Indian Acalypha

Indian Barberry

Indian Beech

Indian Liqourice

Indian Spikenard

Kusum

Liquorice Root

Mysore Dal

Nagarmoth

Neem

Orange

Poison Berry

Psoralea

Sage

Sand Ginger

Sea Buckthorn

Sesame

Shatterstone

Shikakai

Soapnut

Stinging Nettle

Sweet Flag

Tanner's Senna

Vetiver

Thanks Diamondbell I think it is a good idea to start a thread on the images and uses for the herbs. Thanks for doing this.:)

You are welcome Catladyintown! :D

Curry leaf (Other names: karivepilai (Tamil)/ karibaavu (kannada)/ karipatha (Hindi)/ also called Sweet Neem Leaf/ Botanical name: Murraya koenigii

Uses: It is a tropical tree. The leaves are used in cooking just like bay leaves and are not part of the “curry powder”. It is used in digestive disorders, for diabetes and can relieve pain associated with the kidneys.

Liberal intake of curry leaves is considered beneficial in preventing premature greying of hair. These leaves have the property to nourish the hair roots. New hair roots that grow are healthier with normal pigment. The leaves can be used in the form of chutney or the juice may be squeezed and taken in buttermilk or lassi.


http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3222/currtleaf2ib5.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3...ryleaf1xb6.jpg

Used in hair care:

1) Easy Hair Oil to prepare at home:

The best hair oil can be prepared at home.
Take ¼ liter of coconut oil and heat it. When slightly warm add a bunch of curry leaves and a handful of mehendi (henna) leaves to it. Leave until the oil gets the green color and bottle it when cool. This oil helps to darken the hair and acts as a cooling agent.


2) Hair oil (Homemade - to stop hair shedding)

Take a good quantity of coconut oil,
add some castor oil (optional) into it, put it in a iron pot and boil it till it smokes slightly.
Now, make a paste of the following herbs: 5 petal hibiscus,
henna,
curry leaves,
- Jeera (cumin seeds) ¼ tsp,
- Dry Fenugreek seeds (methi) ¼ tsp,
- Vettiver (this is a root),
- Vallarai(Brahmi) powder (a little - this is also a herb),
- Karisalanganni (bringhraj)powder (this is a herb which has darkening effects on the hair and it makes the hair voluminous and healthier),
- Adhimadhuram (liquorice root)(this is a herb which cures itch and prevents dandruff).

Add little water and grind it to a paste. Now, switch off the boiling oil, and add this paste slowly.

3)To use instead of shampoo:
1 Mix equal quantities of
shade-dried curry leaves, lime peel, shikakai, fenugreek seeds and green gram
Grind them finely
Store and use as substitute of shampoo or soap
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4)To be drunk in the morning (stops shedding)
Needed:
Curry leaves
Homemade yogurt
Fenugreek seeds

Prepare yogurt by adding a teaspoon of yogurt to warm milk every night (the regular curd making process) and add fenugreek (methi) seeds(half spoon) and curry leaves(4to5) to it. In the morning a cup of curd will be ready with fenugreek (methi) and curry leaves. You can eat it on empty stomach. If you do this continuously you can definitely have less shedding and good hair growth.


5) Curry leaf -Coconut Milk-Hair Pack for Hair Growth:
Needed a handful of curry leaves and 2 tbsp. Coconut milk
Method:
Grind curry leaves and coconut milk together and make a hair pack
Wash in cold water. Do this every other day.

continuation of Curry Leaf:
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6) Coconut oil with herbs:

Ingredients to add
a)one small cup of freshly ground curry leaves leaves paste
b)one small cup of Fenugreek (methi) seeds paste(soak methi seeds in pure coconut oil the previous night)
c)one small cup of Gooseberry (amla) extract paste(either frozen-thaw it or fresh)-optional because you may or may not get it in Indian stores. You can also use dry amla (dried Indian gooseberry pieces)
It is good if the ingredients are fresh.

Heat the oil, add Amla (Indian gooseberry) extract slowly, be careful the oil may splatter..so add slowly, stir for 10 minutes till the essence goes deeply in oil. Add curry leaves extract slowly, stir for 10 minutes..
then Fenugreek (methi)paste and stir the oil till all the moisture evaporates and u will get consistency of ingredients separated from oil(this will definitely takes time so, please be patient). Filter the oil . This oil can be used for up to 3 months or more depending on usage. This hair tonic is very good for hair growth.
The oil is ready. (Note: Be careful when adding the fresh ingredients. Don't overheat the oil before adding ingredients as splattering may occur. So add in medium heat and add slowly.)

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7) Coconut oil preparation with many herbs – home preparation:

I Fresh ponnanganni (Bot.:Alternanthera sessilis/English: sessile joyweed) leaves - one bunch
a) Fresh karisalanganni (bringraj) leaves- one bunch
b) Fresh curry leaves - one bunch

c ) henna leaves(optional)- a handful (optional)
grind the above leaves into a thick paste and prepare like patties shape in hand(3-4 patties per liter of oil is sufficient),dry it in sun thoroughly. There shouldn’t be any moisture. it should be totally dry. Now these dried pieces are ready to fry in oil…

II a) Big fresh gooseberries (amla) - 3 (cut gooseberries (amla) into pieces removing seeds). Dry the gooseberries (amla) in sun totally for one week in sun. There shouldn’t be any moisture. It should be brown in color.
b) Vetiver - a handful like a bunch
c) rose petals (baby pink in color) - about a handful, dried thoroughly in sun
d) Fenugreek(methi) seeds - one tablespoon(The seeds can be used directly - no soaking required)
e)One liter of coconut oil
METHOD:
Hheat oil not too hot but it should be in medium heat like frying consistency.
First add the prepared and dried leaf patties and deep fry them, so that the oil will turn green.
Do not remove the patties; now add dried gooseberry pieces into the hot oil; the size of the pieces will become three times as big or bigger when it is fried.
Then add Vetiver and deep fry it
Next add dried rose petals in oil
Finally add fenugreek seeds and let it all together mix in hot oil and do not remove them from oil. Lower the heat . Stir slowly for 15-20 minutes, till all the ingredients' essence goes deeply. Don't leave the oil to overheat as the smell of oil will be bad
turn off heat and let it sit for one day
after it has been totally cooled, filter the oil.

OMG Diamondbell these are fantastic! :smooch:

Where did you get the recipes from? Some of the ingredients might take some hunting but that's ok. Also, i live in London....a weeks sun to dry Amla would be a bit of a miracle.....could drying the Amla pieces in the oven be done instead?

Thanks for these recipes......loads to play with! xxx

ChloeDharma - that's nice you like them so much! :laugh: I am really happy to hear that!

The recipes are from books and health magazines that I have. Some are from other sites too. I think you can dry the amla pieces in oven, if there is no sun. Or may be even sun-dried (ready-to-use) amla from the shop should work - depending on the recipe. Have fun :cloud9:

Adhimathuram (Tamil)/liquorice root (English)/ Mulethi (Hindi)/ Madhuka (Sanskrit)/atimadura (kannada)/ bikhe-mahak (Persian)/ Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3...rootadhvb8.jpg

This plant is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia.
Uses:
The root of Madhuka (liquorice root) is used in the form of powder and decoction to treat greying of hairs, vomiting, thirst, cough, respiratory disorders, hoarseness of voice, itching, skin disease, fever and eye disease.

Some research also indicates strong anti-viral properties, making it a good ingredient to help boost the immune system. Overall, Licorice Root helps boost immunity, reduce inflammation,
protect the liver and ease menopause problems.

Yashti Madhu (Mulethi) (Glycyrrhiza glabra) also called Licorice is used in hair care as it promotes the growth of hair according to ayurveda. It is also believed to help keep the scalp moist and hydrated. People with thinning hair can benefit from using licorice as it works on the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two endocrine glands located above each kidney and the most common sign of adrenal disease is hair loss. Under-activity of these glands too leads to hair loss. A paste of licorice made by grinding it in milk can be applied in bald patches as it is supposed to induce hair growth.


HAIR-OIL PREPARATION:
Hair oil (Homemade - to stop hair shedding)

Take a good quantity of coconut oil,
add some castor oil (optional) into it, put it in a iron pot and boil it till it smokes slightly.
Now, make a paste of the following herbs: 5 petal hibiscus,
henna,
curry leaves,
Jeera (cumin seeds) ¼ tsp,
Dry Fenugreek seeds (methi) ¼ tsp,
Vettiver (this is a root),
Vallarai(Brahmi) powder (a little - this is also a herb),
Karisalanganni (bringhraj)powder (this is a herb which has darkening effects on the hair and it makes the hair voluminous and healthier),
Adhimadhuram (liquorice root)(this is a herb which cures itch and prevents dandruff).

Add little water and grind it to a paste. Now, switch off the boiling oil, and add this paste slowly.
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Note: I have not been able to find many recipes for this herb. Mostly it seems to be used for colds and coughs. But it is nice to know it is used for scalp too.

Very nice Diamondbell,now I cannot wait to see the next herb:cloud9:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aisha25

Very nice Diamondbell,now I cannot wait to see the next herb:cloud9:

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I know it's like waiting for the next episode of a program you're following isn't it :p

Fab again Diamondbell xx

Me three I can't wait until Diamondbell ads to the list.:D Thank you Diamondbell

These are great - excellent work Diamondbell!

Hi all - thanks everyone! I was just overwhelmed by your nice comments! :) ;) I am collecting information for the next one :suspense:.... ;)

Bhringraj/Botanical name: Eclipta alba or Eclipta prostrata /Tamil: Karisalanganni/ English: eclipta/Hindi: bharangraj/ Malayalam: Kayyoni/ Sanskrit:Bhringraj
This plant has white flowers.

There is also another variety of Bringhraj with yellow flowers.
The Bhringraj plant with yellow flowers is the Wedelia calendulaceae. The two varieties of karisalankanni (Bhringhraj) belong to the same family - Asteraceae.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2557/bringrajaz7.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/737...bap3jpgnn0.jpg


Bringhraj grows in India, China, Brazil and Thailand. The medicated oils of bhringaraj are widely used as hair tonic and to prevent hair shedding and premature graying of the hair. Bhrngaraj is the most common ingredient incorporated in numerous market preparations of various hair oils.

An oil prepared with amla, bhringraj and sometimes with brahmi is well known in India as Amla Bhringraj oil, which is said to blacken the hair.

Some Recipes:
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(1) A herbal hair oil preparation: The ingredients — `karisalankanni'(Bringraj), curry leaves, awuri, poduthalai, karunchembai, black jeera, vettiver, vilamichaiver, cardamom, athar and coconut oil — help keep dandruff at bay, reduce hair fall and delay graying.

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(2) For some, Karisalai or Karisalankanni (Bringraj) hair-ointment will promote hair growth gradually. You may also prepare the oil as follows: Dried Karisalankanni AKA Bhringraj (the one with white flowers) powder - 25 gm, Vettiver (cut into pieces) - 10 gms, Sandal pieces or powder - 10 gms make in to pieces all and mix with 250 ml gingelly (sesame) oil or coconut oil and put it in the open sunlight in a enamal plate around 45 days and filter the oil and then use. You will get good hair growth. If there is not much sunlight, try heating on low flame.
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(3) The bhringraj leaf powder can also be mixed with coconut oil, and heated, cooled and bottled for use –and applied on scalp, for healthy hair.
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(4) One formula for hair growth used from time immemorial is given here below.

The four main ingredients needed to prepare this concoction are

1. Juice of henna leaves 200 ml
2. Juice of bringraj leaves (white false daisy or swamp daisy) 200 ml
3. Juice of hibiscus flower and buds 200 ml
4. Juice of curry leaves 200 ml.
Add all the juices to 800 ml of coconut oil and heat the combination.
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(5) Another Homemade Hair oil:

Take a bunch of trailing eclipta (bringhraj). Wash and clean the plant thoroughly. Grind it to extract the juice. Grinding should be repeated a few times to take out as much juice as possible. A little water can be used towards the end of grinding.

For six cups of the about juice, take an equal quantity of coconut oil and mix together. Similarly extract juice from green amla berries. Two cups of this juice can be added to the oil. Heat the mixture and bring it to boil. The boiling should go on for half an hour. Take out and allow to cool. Repeat this for three successive days till all the moisture is removed. On the fourth day, while boiling, stir it all the time so that it does not stick to the pan. Remove from fire after 30 minutes, cover with a thin cloth and cool the oil thoroughly. Store in a bottle and use daily.

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Note: If there is more information on Bhringraj, we can add them here.;)

Another fabulous post with great recipes :flower:

Soapnut (English)/Aritha/Reetha (Hindi)/ Boonthi vidhai (Tamil)/ Botanical name: Sapindus Trifoliatus or Sapindus mukorossi

The nuts:
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/408...korossisy6.jpg

In powdered form:
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7325/arithagm7.jpg

Reetha powder is prepared from dried fruit of Reetha. It can be used as a face pack to improve facial complexion. It is used as a hair application to make hair shiny. It also removes dandruff and lice in hair. It can also be used to clean jewellery and for washing woolen clothes. It is used in Ayurvedic preparations and Herbal Shampoos. Soapnuts are known as excellent hair tonic
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How to use:
MIXING YOUR PASTE

1: Place required amount of powder in a bowl then add water and mix well to create a thick paste.

2: Gently massage the paste into the hair and scalp rotating with your finger tips.

3: Wait for 2 to 5 minutes.

4: Wash thoroughly with water

With the aritha powder, shikakai powder and amala powder can also be mixed. Equal portions of each can be used.
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Another method (with the nuts):
Soak reetha nuts overnight and then make a paste from the soaked nuts. Apply this paste on the hair and leave for an hour. Wash off with plain water. It improves blood circulation in the scalp and treats dandruff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diamondbell

Adhimathuram (Tamil)/liquorice root (English)/ Mulethi (Hindi)/ Madhuka (Sanskrit)/atimadura (kannada)/ bikhe-mahak (Persian)/ Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

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This is the herb used in my anti-rosacea products. It has been the best thing to ever happen to my skin.

Haritaki looks very much like reetha. Good thing you are doing this or somoene could be confused by the 2:wink:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by happymommy

This is the herb used in my anti-rosacea products. It has been the best thing to ever happen to my skin.

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That's good to know! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aisha25

Haritaki looks very much like reetha. Good thing you are doing this or somoene could be confused by the 2

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Yes, even I got confused by these two nuts - that's one of the reasons for this thread ;)

Shikakai (Hindi) / Cikaikaai (Tamil) / Soap-nut acacia (English) / Botanical name:Acacia Concinna /

The Shikakai nut
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1427/shikakai1va6.jpg

The Shikakai Powder
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2649/shikakai2up4.jpg
Acacia Concinna (Shikakai) 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" .

The Shikakai Fruit is famous as the best herbal shampoo to treat dandruff & hair loss. It is used as a hair cleanser, which promotes hair growth and makes hair more healthy and shiny. 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. It is very effective in removing oil and dirt from hair.
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Recipes:
1)Method of use: 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 then used as a shampoo (the powder is mixed with water) to wash off the oil.
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2)Shikakai can be mixed with powders like Aritha or Amla. Shikakai can also be mixed with fenugreek powder, powdered rose petals and powdered mung beans
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3) For clean and shiny hair, make this shampoo at home. Soak shikakai nuts whole), soapnuts (ritha) (whole) and dried amla (whole dried fruit) overnight. in the proportion of 2:2:1. Next morning, boil them in water for 15 minutes. REmove the seeds and blend the pulp in a mixer. Store this mixture in the refrigerator and use once a week.

Wow very good posts, shikakai is the best for hair wash very good job Diamondbell:thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aisha25

Wow very good posts, shikakai is the best for hair wash very good job Diamondbell:thumbsup:

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I know :inlove: I love Shikakai!

Oh also shikakai and hibiscus together makes very very good hair wash too my favorite:crush:

Something i have been curious about, I have seen a shikakai oil sold by Hesh, but other than their promotional information i can't find any information about what benefits shikakai oil would give, does anyone know more about this? Links would be great :p

I've never heard of Shikakai oil! :hmm: - What could it be? It must be a base oil with coconut oil or sesame oil with some shikakai extract.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diamondbell

I've never heard of Shikakai oil! :hmm: - What could it be? It must be a base oil with coconut oil or sesame oil with some shikakai extract.

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Yes i took it to mean macerated in a base oil, but the Hesh one has mineral oil in it and i think from memory some other very un-natural additives to it, so i thought of just adding some shikakai to coconut or sesame oil. But i'm not sure what benefits it would give.

Amla(Hindi)/Amalaka (Sanskrit)/Amlaki (Bengali)/ Botanical name: Emblica Officinalis/ Nellikaai (Tamil)/Indian Gooseberry (English)

The Indian gooseberry is indigenous to India. It has been used as a valuable ingredient in various medicines in India and in the Middle East from time immemorial. Shusrut, the great Ayurvedic authority considers it as the best of all acid fruit and most useful in health and disease. It is chiefly valued for its high vitamin C content.

Amla stimulates hair follicles thus promoting hair growth and also improves texture of the hair. It also prevents premature graying of hairs and dandruff. Indian women generally use Amla to wash their hairs, which act as natural hair conditioner.


The Amla Fruit
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2...berriessm0.jpg

Dried Amla pieces
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4...ladriedfn6.jpg


Recipes

(1)Hair Tonic:

Take equal weights of Avuri (Indigo/indiofera tinctoria) leaves, Bringhraj (Wadelia calendulacea/eclipta prostrata), fresh amla and hibiscus flowers and grind to a paste. Mix the paste with an equal quantity of coconut oil and heat on a medium fire till the moisture evaporates. Cool, filter and store in a bottle. Rub on the scalp and hair daily.
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(2) Homemade shampoo: For clean and shiny hair, make this shampoo at home. Soak Shikakai seeds, soapnuts (ritha) and dried amla overnight. in the proportion of 2:2:1. Next morning, boil them in water for 15 minutes. Remove the seeds and blend the pulp in a mixer. Store this mixture in the refrigerator and use once a week.
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(3) HAIR OIL WITH DRY AMLA: The amla fruit cut into pieces is dried in shade. These pieces are boiled in coconut oil till the solid matter becomes like charred dust. This darkish oil is an excellent oil to prevent graying.
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(4) AMLA RINSE WATER: The water in which dried amla pieces are soaked overnight is also nourishing to hair. This water should be used for the last rinse while washing hair.

(5)Fresh Amla Massage: Regular massage of Amla (fresh) ground to paste and rubbed into the scalp has worked wonders in many cases frequently reversing the process of greying or falling off of hair.

(6)Amla-Milk Paste: To encourage growth of hair and to make hair dark, soak a few amlas in a little milk for a couple of hours, then drain and grind to a smooth paste along with a handful of mehendi leaves, mix well and rub into the roots of the hair one hour before you wash hair (either shampoo or herbal hair wash).

Fenugreek (English)/Trigonella foenum-graecum/Methi (Hindi)/ Vendhaiyam (Tamil)/ Bockshornklee(German)/alholva (Spanish)

Fenugreek Seeds
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/3...nugreekvl1.jpg

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(1)HAIR WASH POWDER:
Bengal gram (cicer arietinum) 1 part, green gram (phaseolus mungo/ mung bean) 1 part and Fenugreek seeds 1\2 part is powdered coarsely. This mixture can be used to wash your hair, which does not remove the natural oil from the hair thus preventing dryness
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(2)Hair Pack for Dandruff: Take fenugreek seeds, lime seeds, little pepper and aloevera, grind it to a paste and use it on the scalp. Using this twice in a week may be beneficial. Do not keep it for longer hours on the scalp, since it may be so very cooling.
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(3)HAIR WASH POWDER WITH SPROUTED DRIED FENUGREEK (COMPLICATED!!):
Take 100 gm of methi seeds,and soak this in 500 ml of aloevera juice.( remove the skin of the aloevera leaves, take out the pulp and with the blender or juicer take out the juice). Keep the mixture covered with a net, and keep in a shaded place. After four or five days it will start sprouting. Take out the methi only and keep in sun. In the evening put the methi again in the old aloevera juice. Repeat this until all the juice is soaked by the methi. When the methi sprouts are dry, powder it and keep in a airtight container.
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(4)QUICK SCALP MASSAGE OIL WITH FENUGREEK SEEDS:
Take a tablespoon coconut oil and 1 teaspoon methi powder, and double boil the mixture. Strain the fenugreek powder and discard. Apply the oil to entire scalp and massage scalp lightly. After 30 minutes, wash with herbal shampoo(or shikakai).
Washing the hair with Hibiscus leaves & buds ground together or shikkakai powder gives a better result.

An alternative method: The seeds of 'Methika' or fenugreek (Trigonella foenum) is soaked in coconut oil and kept under direct sunrays for 7 days and applied to the scalp, which prevents hair loss.
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(5)METHI-LEAF DRINK FOR HAIR GROWTH:
Wash and clean a bunch of Methi leaves in water. Without adding water, add black pepper, a few drops of lemon and salt to taste and boil. Churn this in a mixer or juicer and drink this concoction. Drinking this regularly will increase hair growth.
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(6) METHI-HENNA HAIR PACK:
Ingredients used

Henna: 1 teacup
Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon
Methi seeds- 1 teaspoon
Water- as per requirement

Method of preparation:
Cumin and methi seeds are fried till golden brown on a pan and soaked in water overnight. Next morning a fine paste of it is made and mixed with henna and applied to the scalp for 2 hours.
(Here, the henna acts as a dye and a conditioner that helps in building the melanin and retention of hair color from the root base. Cumin seeds are responsible for improving the blood circulation and hence promote hair growth. The methi seeds help in cleaning the scalp from the dirt accumulated on the scalp).

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(7) SIMPLE HAIR PACK:
Make a paste by grinding fenugreek seeds with water. Massage on the scalp after oiling the hair and leave it for one hour before washing. Repeat it every morning for a month. (I have not tried this!)
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( 8 )ANTI-DANDRUFF HAIR PACK:
To control hair loss, try this home-made hair growth and anti-dandruff pack: 6 tsp Feenugreek seed paste (soak the methi seeds overnight and grind them into a fine paste) 4 tsp green gram flour (sabut moongdal powder) 3 tsp curry patta paste 2 tsp fresh lemon juice 2 tsp amla powder 2 tsp shikakai powder
Mix all the ingredients and grind them finely. Store the mixture. Use it as a hair pack. Leave it on for 15 min. and wash it off. This paste prevents hair fall and dandruff
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(9) Fenugreek-Sesame Oil

Take a bunch of fresh green methi (fenugreek) leaves and grind smoothly. Make them into small balls and keep in the sun for two days or more (till the moisture evaporates). Heat Sesame oil (gentle heat) and put in the dried fenugreek-leaves balls. Keep on slow fire. Cool the oil. Keep aside. After ten days, strain out the fenugreek-balls and use the oil. This is good for luxuriant hair growth [*I have made this oil myself and think it is really good!]
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(10)FENUGREEK-CURRY LEAF-YOGURT DRINK:

Take one cup of warm milk and add a teaspoon of yoghurt to it and keep it outside (not in fridge) and add fenugreek seeds and curry leaves to the yoghurt. Next morning, drink this yoghurt on empty stomach. This is good against shedding. Buttermilk also may be used instead of yogurt.

Excellent excellent on amla and methi very nice:D Also you have to mention for dandruff too is curd+methi hair pack that is good one;)!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aisha25

Excellent excellent on amla and methi very nice:D Also you have to mention for dandruff too is curd+methi hair pack that is good one;)!!

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Thanks Aisha25- Have you used the curd+methi it with good results? ;) If so, may be could you please write the recipe here? Thanks!

Yeah I used it when I had dandruff and it took it away. Soak some methi seeds and then make into paste,mix with some curd apply to scalp and wash off. Works great:thumbsup:

Great posts again Diamondbell.....and thanks for more fab recipes :)

Great thread to be bookmarked! I will keep coming here for the receipes...thanks a ton for all the hardwork. Its great to have something like this all in one place....

diamondbell this pretty much clears up answers for newbie herb users...thanks :flowers:

Thanks Diamondbell. I really like Fenugreek:cheese: but what is curd?

It is yoghurt:)

Thanks Aisha:)

Hi Diamondbell I have a question on the fenugreek.
"6) METHI-HENNA HAIR PACK:
Ingredients used
Henna: 1 teacup
Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon
Methi seeds- 1 teaspoon
Water- as per requirement
Method of preparation:
Cumin and methi seeds are fried till golden brown on a pan and soaked in water overnight. Next morning a fine paste of it is made and mixed with henna and applied to the scalp for 2 hours.
(Here, the henna acts as a dye and a conditioner that helps in building the melanin and retention of hair color from the root base. Cumin seeds are responsible for improving the blood circulation and hence promote hair growth. The methi seeds help in cleaning the scalp from the dirt accumulated on the scalp."

How many ounces is in a teacup? Also will the Henna dye the roots of my black and gray hair red? Could you use cassia? Sorry I don't know how to change my fonts back.:o
Catladyintown :rolleyes: now font is back to black.:o

Aisha how long do you leave the Methi and curd on your hair? And what is the longest time you can leave it on your hair? I bought some plain yogurt today for my hair. Oh one more thing does it matter if the yogurt is Fat Free. I only was able to find Fat Free Plain Yogurt. I plan on using it tomorrow. Thanks Catladyintown

Maybe like 30mins to an hour I think fat free will be fine. I never try but sounds like it will. Are you having some problem with dandruff?