Acacia
Concinna 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" .
Today this fruit is
grown commercially in large quantities in India and the Far East.
As a result, shikakai powder is readily available and continues to
be commonly used as a preferred shampoo. The dried, powdered fruit
is sold in attractive packages that show women with long,
beautiful, shiny hair. Many popular brands are sold throughout
India.
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.
