Reetha and Shikakai: The Original Herbal Shampoo Ingredients
Two pods that Indian families have washed hair with for centuries.
Long before bottled shampoo, people washed hair with pods and powders. Two of the most common are reetha and shikakai.
Reetha, also called soapnut, makes a gentle natural lather. Read more: Reetha.
Shikakai means fruit for hair. The pods are dried and ground and used as a mild cleanser. Read more: Shikakai.
Modern herbal shampoos blend these with gentle cleansers so they lather and rinse easily. Try Calm Wash, Silk Wash, Scalp Detox or Root Grow.
Tip: after oiling, shampoo twice. Use lukewarm water and rinse for longer than you think you need to.