Do you know the benefits of rice water for hair growth? Using rice water for hair traces its roots in Eastern Asia. It dates back to the ancient Heian period in Japan, though some people also claim East Asia as a whole, where women had gorgeous tresses, sometimes long enough to touch the floor! And there are no guesses that rice water was the secret ingredient for these flowing tresses.
What Does Rice Water Contain?
Rice water is rich in vitamins, especially B and C, and consists of potassium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and manganese. An elixir for hair Rice Water is packed with very powerful nutrients. When used regularly, rice water helps to nourish damaged hair, repairs hair follicles, and promotes healthy hair.
How to Make Rice Water?
There are two ways of making rice water. One is with raw rice, and the other one is straining the water from the cooked rice.
Making Rice Water with Raw Rice
Take a cup of raw/uncooked rice and wash it thoroughly until the water of the rice is completely clear. Transfer the drained rice to a clean glass bowl. Now add 2 glasses of water to the drained rice. Soak the rice in the water for at least 4-5 hours. Drain the water in a bottle and seal it. Store this water in the fridge.
Making Rice Water with Cooked Rice
Take half a cup of rice and rinse the rice till the water you drain is clean. Add 2 glasses of water to the rice and let it cook completely. Now strain the water and store it in a glass bowl till it cools down. Pour the water into a bottle and seal it. Store this water in the fridge. Since this rice water will be thicker in comparison, you will need to dilute it before you use it to rinse your hair. The dilution depends on the hair length and greasiness.
What Is the Right Way to Use Rice Water?
You can mix some rice water with your shampoo and dilute it and apply it to hair sections. Start with the scalp and move to the ends of the hair. Massage the shampoo on the scalp to boost blood circulation and give your hair follicles a burst of nourishment. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse out the shampoo completely.
Pro Tip: Did you know that rice water can be used as a conditioner and is a very good way to treat underlying hair concerns? So, if you have dandruff, add a few drops of tea tree essential hair oil before the final rinse. To soothe an itchy scalp, you can use the essential oils of lavender or geranium. Pour the water over freshly shampooed hair and massage the scalp for about a minute or two before you rinse out the rice water.
How Often Should You Use Rice Water on Your Hair?
You can use rice water as a final rinse at least twice a week. However, if you have an oily and itchy scalp, do oil your hair to soothe your scalp and give extra nourishment to your hair.
Here Are Some Benefits of Using Rice Water On Hair:
- Promotes Hair Growth
Rice water contains amino acids that help reduce hair fall intensity and promote new hair growth. Amino acids also help in the regeneration process of the hair as they’re packed with vitamins & add volume to hair.
- Protects Damaged Hair
Environmental stressors can wreak havoc on your hair, making it dull, dry, and brittle. Using rice water for your hair can decrease surface friction and improve your hair quality tremendously. Rice water is known to contain inositol that acts as a shield for your hair. So even when you step out, the damage caused is lesser.
- Helps to Detangle the Hair:
If you have curly or frizzy hair that tends to tangle, using rice water on your hair helps make it softer and easier to manage. Tangled hair is one of the most common ways to lose hair, so when you have softer and manageable hair devoid of tangles, you also have less hair fall.
- Helps Combat Dandruff
Rice water, packed with anti-fungal properties, helps to soothe an itchy scalp and reduce dandruff slowly and steadily. Rinsing your hair with rice water will cleanse it from all impurities and bacterial build-up that causes these conditions.
- Makes Hair Healthy and Shiny
Take some rice water and apply it to your hair before you shampoo hair. Let it work as a pre-shampoo mask for your hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wrap your head with a hot towel to let the goodness of rice water soak in your hair. Wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and follow up with a conditioner.
Add this rice water hair products regime to your hair care routine and watch your hair get back its bounce and shine! Literally! And for those of you who are hard-pressed for time, do indulge in Mamaearth’s newly launched Rice Shampoo and Rice Conditioner and let it’s magic work on your hair.
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