Many of us have probably had multiple trials and error attempts in the quest to find the most suitable herbal shampoo for our hair type and I’m sure that quest was hard!

Well, what if I told you that most of these shampoos aren’t actually “perfect” for your hair and can possibly cause hair damage in the long run. This is due to the harmful chemicals and ingredients these non-organic shampoos contain!

Yes, you read that right and I’m sure the thought which might probably be crossing most of your minds right now is “As if finding the perfect shampoo was not hard enough, I now have to search for an herbal one?”

Well, you don’t have to worry about “searching” because this article has got that covered!

This article will tell you all you need to know about herbal shampoos, their benefits and what to look for when you buy one. So let’s get right into the details!

Related: Best Herbal Shampoo For Hair Loss and Dandruff

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What are herbal shampoos?

Herbal shampoos are those hair care products that can perform the same task of cleansing the hair from dirt, grime, and excess oil.

They work just like any other non-herbal shampoo would do, but with the added advantage of a chemical-free, all-organic solution to all your hair problems.

How To Choose The Right Herbal Shampoo

Now it sure may be hard to choose considering the fact that there are plenty of herbs and natural ingredients that Mother Nature provides us with!

So, looking out for some essential ingredients when buying a herbal shampoo would be an ideal way to find the perfect one.

Here are 7 common essential ingredients to look out for in herbal shampoos:

• · Amla
• · Bhringraj
• · Neem
• · Aloe Vera
• · Onion extract
• · Reetha
• · Shikakai

What are the benefits of these essential ingredients for hair?

Amla

Amla is often known as the Indian Gooseberry and is one of the most famous ingredients used for hair care and in hair care products because of its multiple benefits.

Amla is rich in vitamin C, which helps the body produce a protein called collagen.

This protein is very essential for hair and hair growth because it is the protein that helps build hair structure.

Amla has another essential benefit to hair and that is its ability to help the body absorb the mineral iron.

Iron helps sufficient oxygen reach the hair roots and promotes hair growth and that is why hair loss is often associated with lack of iron in the body.

Collagen and iron together are very essential in promoting better hair growth by stimulating better blood flow to the scalp and proper blood circulation in the scalp.

This helps the hair follicles to be stimulated towards hair growth. Amla helps improve hair lustre and hair strength while preventing and reducing premature greying of hair.

Bhringraj

Well-known as the “false daisy”, bhringraj is like a one-time solution to multiple hair problems like hair loss, dandruff and greying of hair.

Bhringraj can help promote hair growth because it has the property of prolonging the hair growth phase (the anagen phase) and activating the hair follicles which have been dormant.

This herb helps promote hair strength, in turn reducing hair breakage and damage and provides overall nourishment to the hair by penetrating deep into the hair shaft.

This can also help keep the hair hydrated and moisturized, reducing dryness and frizziness of hair, giving you renewed shine and better hair texture.

For those who suffer from premature greying of hair, bhringraj can help prevent this by its properties of natural dyeing of hair.

It can also help reduce dandruff and flaking, by reducing scalp dryness and keeping the scalp hydrated, while also reducing bacterial formation on the scalp with its antibacterial properties.

Neem

Neem has been used for both hair and hair growth for years because of its multiple benefits.

It is a well-known ingredient that supports those with hair loss issues because of its hair follicle stimulating properties.

When the hair follicles are stimulated, the hair growth increases. Neem is also rich in antioxidants and can help reduce scalp infections and dandruff formation.

If you are looking for a natural conditioning agent, then neem can give you that benefit!

Neem helps keep the hair strands well hydrated and moisturized, in turn making the hair feel naturally conditioned and soft in texture, giving the hair a more healthy and vibrant look.

If you suffer from the lice menace on your head, neem is the ultimate solution because it contains azadirachtin.

Now this is an active ingredient that has the property to inhibit the growth of lice.

Neem is also effective in helping prevent the hair from greying prematurely.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera, the remedy to almost every problem! Aloe vera works as a very good and effective scalp cleanser to help get rid of dirt and grime.

Aloe vera also helps stimulate the hair follicles towards hair growth by penetrating into the hair shaft and providing nourishment to the roots.

The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of aloe vera help keep scalp infections at bay and reduce any inflammation caused by dandruff on the scalp.

For those with oily hair types, aloe vera can help reduce the excess oil on the scalp and hair and keep the hair and scalp adequately hydrated and moisturized.

Aloe vera can act as a coating to the hair shaft and protect the hair from external damage from overexposure to the sun or from the heat of hair styling tools.

Onion Extract

Onion extract is like the “wonder ingredient” when it comes to hair. If you are looking forward to achieving those perfect tresses, make sure to use a shampoo that contains onion extract!

Onion extract can help promote hair growth by stimulating the production of the protein collagen in the hair.

This can help provide overall strength and nourishment to the hair follicles.

The sulfur in onions helps stimulate better blood flow to the scalp and can promote better circulation in the scalp, in turn activating the hair follicles which are dormant and promote hair growth.

For those who suffer from premature greying of hair, onions contain the enzyme catalase which can reduce and prevent the appearance of premature greys.

Reetha

Soapnuts, most often known as “Reetha” work as an amazing hair cleansing agent, to clean the hair and scalp from dirt and grime, which can otherwise clog the pores and inhibit proper growth of hair.

Reetha is rich in vitamins and can provide sufficient nutrients to the hair follicles in turn stimulating hair growth.

The properties of Reetha help improve hair quality and texture, giving the hair a smooth and shiny look, reducing dry hair and hair frizziness. The antifungal properties of reetha can help keep dandruff and scalp infections at bay.

Shikakai

Another amazing natural cleansing agent is Shikakai.

Shikakai contains the essential nutrients to promote better hair growth and reduce hair fall, by stimulating the hair follicles.

It helps in strengthening the hair strands right from its root, in turn reducing hair breakage.

If you suffer from dandruff, scalp infections, or lice infestation, shikakai is ideal for you! It has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help treat all your hair problems.

Using shikakai will help maintain a balance in the scalp by promoting sufficient scalp and hair hydration, in turn reducing hair dryness and split end formation.

Shikakai can help retain the hair’s natural color for a longer time and prevent the hair from greying prematurely.

The vitamin C content in shikakai can help promote better collagen production in the hair and stimulate better hair growth and hair health.

Shikakai will help get rid of excessive hair greasiness for those with oily hair types and lock in the hair the perfect requirement of hydration and moisture content.

Why choose herbal shampoos?

Herbal shampoos are made with all-natural ingredients which are most often safe for all hair types and all skin types, which reduce the risk of hair damage and skin allergies or rashes.

The natural ingredients have properties that can keep the hair and scalp skin healthy.

Non-herbal shampoos contain harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens, silicones, and cationic surfactants, formaldehyde, alcohol, potassium sorbate, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, etc

These can cause hair damage and even lead to skin cancer or skin diseases in the long run.

Herbal shampoos on the other hand can cleanse your hair in a natural way.

They promote better hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles. They also keep the hair hydrated and moisturized, in turn promoting better hair health.

This also helps in reducing hair dryness and can also provide overall nourishment to the hair to not only support hair health but also maintain better overall scalp health.

The final takeaway

If you have got to reading even up to this part of the article, I’m sure you have considered switching to an all-natural, organic and herbal shampoo.

Well, go ahead and make the switch, because it is the best thing you can do to save your hair from long-term damage.

Also Read:

Best organic shampoos in India

How to use hibiscus for hair growth

How to use coconut oil for hair growth