Anti Hair Loss Shampoo Made With Soap Nuts

Soap Nuts Anti Hair Loss Shampoo

Soap nuts have been used in India especially by women to wash hair for centuries. Ancient medical system of Ayurveda used soap nuts for various medicinal uses including for hair. It is in the list herbs and mineral in Ayurveda. Soap nuts also find use in Unani and Tibetan medical system.

Soap nuts are sun dried fruits of Sapindus tree. There are five to twelve varieties of this tree throughout the world, but they are most used in India, Nepal, Indonesia and China. The variety in North India, china and Nepal is Sapindus Mukorossi and in South India and Pakistan Sapindus Trifoliatus. The fruit is 1-2 cm in brown or golden color.

Shampoo is used for hair care; it removes oil, skin particles, dirt, environment pollutants and control dandruff from scalp and hair. We need shampoo which can manage without making hair unmanageable. As shampoo is a surfactant it also removes natural oils (sebum) which are important to lubricate the hair. Hence we use conditioner after shampoo or shampoos with conditioners. The first synthetic shampoo was introduced in 1930.

However, people of many countries like India have been using different formulation of shampoos containing herbs like soap nuts, shikakai, neem, heena, fenugreek, aloe, bael and almond adding aromatic substances like rose, turmeric, jasmine and sandalwood. These formulations have not only worked as natural mild surfactant but also as conditioner. They have medicinal properties that help in controlling dandruff, removing lice and keeping hair healthy and aliment free. As per a report from American Academy of Dermatology, some 30 million women in USA suffer from hair loss in early ages and this number is increasing.

What causes the hair loss?

Normally we loss 50 to 100 hairs per day but more than that is definitely cause of worry. Reasons can also be different for men and women

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Genetics: Most men hair loss is due to genetics, but rarely in women. This is inherited through one’s mother’s genes, causing hair follicles to stop producing hair much earlier.

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Poor eating habits and nutrition is an also a major cause. Balanced diet with proper amount of proteins, vitamins, fats and mineral is required.

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Any major event like child birth, surgery, and trauma can affect hair growth.

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Hair Styling and Treatment like straightening, perm, dyeing, highlighting can increase hair loss. Also ponytail or styles where pulling of hair is done.

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Medicines and illness: Uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid condition, lupus, poly cystic Ovarian Syndrome, stress can cause hair loss. Birth control pills, iostretinoin (used for acne), chemotherapy drug can cause major hair loss.

How Can Soap Nuts Help?

Soap nuts are natural gentle effective cleanser and allergen-free contain approximately 12% of Saponin. Soap nut is antibacterial mild foaming agent, exfoliant and cleanser. Add 6-8 soap nuts (whole shells) to 5-6 cups of water boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain nuts and store liquid in container for future use. This can be used for regular or anti hair loss shampoo. One can also use 1:1 solution of water and vinegar as conditioner. One can see visible results in a few months. Remember these have little leathering qualities and if your hair feels slightly dry after using soap nut anti hair loss shampoo you have most likely used more than required. Only a little qty goes long way. Hair washed with soap nut feels healthier and thicker and it really shines after brushing.

Soap nut can also be combined with other herbs as Shikaki, neem and amla to make more nutritive hair wash. This is hair tonic, anti bacterial, clean the scalp of oil secretion and forms natural leather giving hair a shining look.

Soap Nuts Shampoo is Beneficial for Those With Hair Loss

Soap Nuts were once only used for laundering clothes or washing hair but can also be used by men and women suffering from hair loss. Ayurvedic medicine, practiced mainly in India and Sri Lanka, promotes a way of life, instead of occasional treatments. Soap Nuts, which are grown in India and Nepal, are used in Ayurvedic medicine, and have been used for centuries as an anti hair loss shampoo. It is crucial though, to treat the whole body instead of just the symptom of hair loss. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, female hair loss, affects some 30 million women in the United States -- with some forms of loss occurring at earlier ages, and being seen in increasing numbers.

According to ayurveda, the following conditions are beneficial for healthy and plentiful hair:

The scalp must be kept cool, so protection from the sun and washing in cold or lukewarm water are paramount.

Balanced diets and proper nutrition are key, so a hair-friendly diet should emphasize proteins, iron, zinc, sulfur, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-Complex and essential fatty acids.

Sesame oil or coconut oil should be applied to the scalp to nourish, lubricate and strengthen the roots, thus improving circulation to the head.

What Causes Hair Loss?

The follicles in hair derive from a protein called keratin. It is normal to lose from 50 to 100 hairs per day, but more than that may be cause for worry. There are many causes of hair loss, and they can be different for men and women.

Genetics: Most genetic hair loss is found in men, but occasionally it is seen in women. This type of hair loss is inherited through the genes of one's mother, causing the hair follicles to stop producing hair much earlier than they should.

Illnesses and Medications: Most endocrine conditions such as lupus, uncontrolled diabetes, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and thyroid conditions can cause hair loss due to the stress they put on the body and the imbalance of hormones.

Medications: Certain medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. Birth control pills, lithium (used to treat bi-polar disorder), iostretinoin (used for acne) and of course, chemotherapy drugs can cause major hair loss.

Hair Treatments and Styling: Getting your hair dyed, permed, straightened or highlighted puts stress on the hair shaft and can cause it to break off or fall out temporarily. Wearing your hair pulled back very tightly can also cause permanent baldness around the temples or where there is tension of the hair.

Poor Nutrition: Poor eating habits can also cause hair loss. This is why people with eating disorders often have thin, brittle hair which falls out easily. It is essential to have a balanced diet and get the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fat. When the body is majorly lacking nutrients, the hair will not grow and will look limp and dull.

Disruption of the Hair Growth Cycle: Any major life event, such as childbirth, surgery or trauma, may alter the hair growth cycle.

How Can Soap Nuts Help?

Soap Nuts are a gentle and effective chemical-free cleanser, and as a liquid, can be used as a purifying hair loss shampoo. To make the liquid, add 6-8 whole shells to 6cups water, boil and then simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the nuts and pour into an appropriate container. Use this liquid as you would your regular shampoo. Pour a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and use as conditioner. Rinse well and dry as usual. Continue using Soap Nuts as your shampoo and you should see visible results in a few months. Also consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil to make your shampoo a tea tree shampoo.

Remember that you should take a complete approach to your health and focus not just on the symptom of hair loss.