Uses of Soapnut shells:

How Soapnuts clean your laundry? The process by which Soapnuts clean your clothes is naturally quite simple. The soapnut shells contains a natural saponin that works as a surfactant, making your water “wetter” and allowing it to penetrate the fibers of yours clothing, working away the dirt, keeping it in suspension in the water until it’s drained away, taking the dirt with it.

Soapnuts are ideal as natural and Eco-friendly detergent in the washing machine just put up 3 to 6 Soapnut shells (4 to 8 half shells), according your loads, into un-bleached cotton bag (provided free with each pack of “Sindhiya Washnuts” ) or in a sock. Tied tight and pop the bag in the washing machine with your clothes, these are suitable at any temperature, pre-wash or rinse cycles and on delicate fabrics. Shells can be used for more than one wash (up to 4 or more washes, according to your loads) on same day, discard any remains when they go dark brown and soggy.

What’s left is a load of clean clothes and nothing else! That’s the way laundry should be. Much like clean water, clean laundry should not contain toxic chemical residues. In fact, it’s more important to consider what laundry products do NOT contain then to look at what they do contain.

Wash the clothes:

The soapnut shells contains saponins (a natural detergent), when come into contact with water they make mild suds, soapnut shells are natural, organic, environmentally friendly a natural alternative of all kind of detergent, soaps, cleaners and shampoo. Soapnuts are ideal as a chemical free natural detergent in washing machines and laundries. Just put 4 to 8 soapnut shells in unbleached cotton bag/pouch, sock, handkerchief or similar, tie it up tightly and throw it in your washing machine with your clothes as soon as soapnut shells make contact with water (e.g. in your washing machine)the saponins dissolves and has the same effect as most normal detergent. You will not need to add any other detergent or fabric softener! The smell of the clothes washed with Soapnuts is absolutely natural – if you prefer scented laundry, simply sprinkle a few drops of ethereal oil on the bag of Soapnuts: Nice choices could be lavender, rose, orange, lemongrass or other your favorite – the variety of fragrances is nearly infinite. Soapnuts wash effectively between 30 and 60 degrees and same bag of same Soapnuts will be use 3 to 4 times for wash continues on same day. You will be wondered and amazed to see Soapnuts really works and they had cleaned your clothes as well as normal detergent.

Use as a bathing liquid soap or shampoo for allergic or sensitive skins: Soapnuts are 100% natural and gentle, these are so best for those who have sensitive skin or suffering from neurodermatitis and allergy in particular will benefit from the use of Soapnuts, as clothes which were cleaned with Soapnuts do not irritate the skin. Also allergic persons and people with sensitive skin may use Soapnuts for bathing instead normal soaps or medicated soaps which are contains with chemicals. For this purpose put 100 grams of soapnut shells in a pot with at least 1.5 litters of water cover the pot and put on stove for boil for at least 30 to 40 minutes. The boiling process extracts the saponins from the soapnut shells and combines with the water. Let allow then to cool till safe to handle than strain into appropriate container. Now your liquid soap is ready for use you can use it for bathing and as well as shampoo or all purpose for cleanings, pet’s washing soap or shampoo and many kinds of cleanings.

Use as a shampoo:

A Soap suds made of Soapnuts is a shampoo, which reliably and enduringly fights dandruff. A soapnut shampoo not only washes your hair but also cares for it. Especially allergic persons and people with a sensitive scalp should use soapnut suds to wash their hair: Because it is 100% natural and does not contain any kind of chemical additives, it will not irritate the scalp! Soapnut shampoo also best for lice and other kind of hair diseases. Women of south Asian countries are used this type of natural shampoo since stone ages. This kind of Soapnuts shampoo will make your hair strong, long, silky and healthy. Soapnuts shampoo does not damage your hair or skin although you use it regularly or rarely.

Uses of medicinal purposes:

Soap nuts especially are used medically as an expectorant, emetic, contraceptive and for treatment of excessive salivation, epilepsy, chlorosis and migraines. Studies show that saponin from Soapnuts inhibits tumor cell growth. Soapnuts are among the list of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda. They are a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleaners. They are used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for eczema, psoriasis and for removing freckles. Soapnuts have gentle insecticide properties and are traditionally used for removing lice from the scalp. Soapnuts are antimicrobial and are beneficial for septic system and gray water. Soapnuts are used in the remediation of contaminated soil.

Use as a liquid soap to wash your pets:

Wash your dog, cat, horse, monkey, bunny and other of your pets or working animals with a Sindhiya soapnut liquid suds – and thus without any chemicals.

Use as floor cleaners: A liquid soap made by Sindhiya soapnuts you may use also as your Floor cleaner, you may use it for bath, toilet cleanings also because it has power to fight against germs naturally!

All-purpose cleaning agent:

Better use such a decoction instead of usual chemical cleaning agents for your kitchen and bath room.

Jewellery cleaning: press half a lemon in some soapnuts decoction, soak in it a toothbrush and rub your jewellery. In South Asian countries, peple used Soapnuts to clean their Jewelleries, Precious stones and Gold and Precious ornoments since centuries.

Pesticides:

Moisten or water your house and garden plants with the already mentioned decoction and take advantage of the saponine agent to fight against harmful organisms such as aphids, without damaging your plant or poisoning your garden.

Mosquitoes repellent:

Wash or coat exposed parts of your body with the mentioned decoction, mosquitoes are repelled by the smell of saponine and will move away. Try it is to adopt it ! Your beloved kids may sleep with coat of Soapnut liquid, you may relax and don’t afraid about mosquitoes.

Throw a few soap nut shells in with your automatic dishwasher and watch how clean they get!!

Soapnuts are successfully used in dish-washers. They do not, however, have a scrubbing agent to them.

Bugs do not survive at 65°C washing temperature. Moreover, Saponine has a repressive effect on fungal and bacteria growth. Put 3 to 4 soapnuts in the little cotton bag, put this bag inside the dishwasher and launch it.

Using SoapNuts, you can make your own ultra-pure multipurpose cleaner.

Place some nut shells in the bag/sock (4 to 6 for soft water / 6 to 8 for hard water). Pull the string tight and tie it off. Then place the bag on top of your washing in the machine, with your clothes– that is it!

Each “set” of shells should be good for up to 4 wash cycles. (Dependent upon wash temperature and quality of shells.) Change the shells after 3 to 5 washes and use the old (used) shells to make liquid (see below). Indeed, for other purpose of cleaning.

You should be able to see in the below pics that fresh shells have a shiny inner surface. As if they were made from solid satin varnish! Or tasty toffee – so keep children away from them. This progressively changes to a matt beige as the saponin is released and the outer surface gets darker. Note that this is only really obvious when the shells have dried. You will find that they work better if multiply washes are done the same day. For that reason I keep the used nuts in the bag, in a small bottle, part filled with water.

Here is picture of shells, you may see the result after 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th wash by same load of shells …

New Shells                         1 Wash                              2 Washes                          3 Washes                            4 Wash

How to perform a SoapNuts

Soapnuts decoction: Bring 6-10 shells of Soapnuts to boil in 1 liter water during 10 minutes, leave it to cool down and screen the obtained liquid. The decoction is now ready for use ! To obtain a higher saponine-concentrate decoction of Soapnuts, use more SoapNut shells in the same water volume.

This concoction can also be made to do your laundry. Here’s how:

Boil 100 g of Soap Nuts in 12 cups (3L) of water for 30 minutes. The liquid you have is now a concentrated, chemical free detergent. The leftover shells can be placed in your compost. Use 3 Tbsp or 45 ml of this detergent with each load of laundry. This allows you to do approximately 60 loads of laundry.

Preservation of a Soapnuts decoction:

Soapnuts decoction must be kept in a cool place to assure a conservation of about ten days if citric acid or lemon juice or essential oil is added.

Soapnuts shells already used in a washing machine or a dishwasher, can be recycled by making a decoction.

SoapNuts More than just laundry soap…

The natural saponins found in SoapNuts are universal cleaning agents. Sure, they work great in the laundry, but did you know they are also traditionally used to clean skin and hair? In fact, the soap nut saponins work on everything from pets and children to washing fruits and vegetables. In ancient India, jewelers even used the soap to shine their precious metals and stones, giving them a beautiful natural luster.

With all the cleaning uses for SoapNuts, can you bath with them?

Remember! that you can create a liquid concoction to wash your hands, floors, counters, etc. but we have found that you can also bath with them.. Simple place a half a cup of your concoction in your hot bath water and enjoy yourself. Wash or soak and when you come out your body will have that clean feel to it not to mention a soft feel.

You can also use the Soapnuts by themselves. Throw in 4-5 Soapnuts and into the hot bath. Swish them around for a few minutes to get the saponins flowing and then step into the tub.

Hand Wash:

Even when the shells seem exhausted they still contain some saponin and you can use them to make a FREE hand wash.

Put your old shells, with any new little “broken off” pieces that are too small to put in the bag / sock, in a blender. Add a half pint (ish) of water and blend for a few seconds. The idea is to break all the shells into tiny bits so that they release as much “soap” as possible.

Simmer for a few minutes.

Cut the pipe of an old dispenser bottle so it reaches about half way down.

Allow the blend to settle and pour in to your dispenser, to below the pipe.

Give it a shake and pump away.

You will get a palm full of soapnut foam!

Excellent for general cleaning.

You can also add a drop of lemon juice as preservative and a nice smell.

Worried about watering your garden in a hot, dry summer? Soapnuts are totally organic and, as stated earlier, a mild insecticide. It is safe, even beneficial to put on your garden. Your washing machine uses about 50 litres (12 gallons!) of water per wash. Collect that waste and your watering problems are over. Unless you are an aphid!

By the way, all children’s clothes should be washed in these soap nuts to avoid exposing infants and children to the toxic chemicals found in commercial laundry products. And while you’re at it, why not save yourself from that exposure, too, by washing your own clothes with nature’s laundry soap?

What SoapNuts do NOT contain, include:

Foaming chemicals that, consumers into thinking their clothes are cleaner because there are “suds” in the wash. TRUTH: Suds have nothing to do with cleaning. They are chemical additives used to create the illusion of cleaning action.

Fragrance chemicals that make laundry “smell” clean. Most commercial laundry products use toxic, synthetic fragrance chemicals that are, in fact, well known to promote cancer and liver disorders. Laundry products are not really regulated by any single government agency, and there is currently no law banning the use of known cancer-causing chemicals in laundry products (much like with cosmetics).

Filler ingredients. Nearly all commercial laundry products are made with at least 50% filler ingredients to “bulk them up” and make them appear to deliver more value for the price. Consumers are mostly just buying the illusion of detergent, made mostly with filler.

You won’t find filler or toxic chemicals in SoapNuts. Just pure, natural saponins grown by a tree and engineered by nature. In our opinion, that’s where more of our products should ultimately come from. Wouldn’t it be great if shampoo also grew on trees?

Actually, it does!

An amazing Traditional use in Myanmar (Burma):

On the last day of Myanma year, in Myanmar, all of people use SoapNuts to wash their houses to remove all of dirt of last year from their houses, shopes and offices. They also wash and clean their hair with SoapNuts on the last day of Myanma year. They believe that if they wash and clean their hair, houses, offices and shopes by Soapnuts, no dirt of last year will come to in their lives during coming new year!!!

Sindhiya Enterprise Bangladesh is th leading producers of Eco friendly products in Bangladesh. They collect best and selected quality of Himalayan soapnuts export same worldwide.

Technorati Tags: Detergent, Friendly, Natural, Shells, Soapnut, Uses

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

Traditional secrets

Emerging over 5,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine believes that visible hair issues such as hair loss or greying can in fact be a sign of deficiency in key nutrients within the bloodstream, or indicate problems with the liver or kidneys.

So hair could be the oracle to our organs, one of the reasons why Chinese medicine focuses on looking after it. A number of herbals methods are employed, including acupuncture and acupressure, various tinctures of birch leaves (known for its detoxifying effects) Echinacea root, rosemary and lavender. Even eating roasted black sesame seeds is said to do the trick.

One particular potent herb, known as “Shou Wu Chih” – or Knotweed – is now a patented hair tonic that improves scalp condition, transforms grey hair back to its darker self and prevents hair loss.

The sheen effect

Over the years all sorts of remedies have been experimented with in order to achieve that shiny, glossy look we’re used to seeing in the adverts.

The majority of today’s hair product, despite their floral appearances and whimsical, pure names that suggest they get their power from nature do anything but. Various chemicals that have suspected tendencies to irritate and encourage scalp allergies are regularly splodged into conventional hair products.

Beer has been said to be a great, more natural, hair rinse with a celebrity following including Catherine Zeta Jones. The superior approach to beer is champagne, allegedly a favourite of Nicole Kidman. Do take heed though that too much alcohol can dry your hair – and conventional products normally contain it.

Synthetic parabens are used as preservatives while petroleum derived mineral oil (‘Propylene Glycol’, ‘Polyethene Glycol’ are just a few examples) used to keep shampoos solvent and provide the “sheen effect” that we know so well. Essentially, we are buying into plastic-coated locks. Then there’s that enigmatic ingredient labelled as “parfum” that we’ve mentioned previously.

So while short-term the effects may appear miraculous, long-term we could be creating a cocktail effect that is bad for both hair and health.

Healthy hair tips

You don’t always need to scour or second guess the ingredients in your hair products. Some of the best hair care tips are the easiest and cheapest to do.

First, let’s ask the question, why do bad hair days exist? I’m not talking about having straight hair when you want curly or any other inherited genetic traits. These traits we just have to cope with. But scalp conditions such as dandruff, brittle, limp or lacklustre hair occurs often due to not looking after yourself, whether that is not getting enough sleep, feeling stressed out, not washing hair products out properly (or using too much of the leave-in stuff) and poor hygiene. The biggest thing though is your diet: yes indeed, you are what you eat!

Nature also has a role to play in certain head covering days, with hormone imbalance (particularly at certain times of the month), cold or overly hot weather as well as dry environments all bringing about bad hair.

For happy, manageable hair, it’s best to get to know and work to your hair type – be it normal, oily (which is prone to dandruff), dry (and likely to result in split ends) or combination (a mixture of dry and greasy hair).  Also, you hair strength needs to be treated differently. If your hair is fine then you might want to use a gentler shampoo such as Lavera’s Mild Shampoo. Natural shampoos in general tend to be more gentle on hair. If you have thick hair it will have a tendency to be drier and will probably need a more moisturising conditioner.

When washing your hair, aim to keep the temperature warm rather than hot and aim to end with a final colder rinse to keep your scalp protected and cuticles strong. Pat towel dry instead of blow dry and de-tangle knots delicately with your fingers instead of with your hair brush.

Your choice of brush also has an impact on your hair’s health. Use wide-toothed combs and brushes with soft tips, and avoid plastic brushes as these have the hair-raising ability of generating static. Make sure your brush is regularly washed with shampoo and water and cleaned, particularly towards the depths of your hairbrush where dust, fluff and grease can comfortably settle.

Natural locks

Hair has been experimented on for centuries, making most of what was easily available, which, was normally ingredients from the kitchen larder. Our style-conscious ancestors even used onion skins and henna to saffron and lemon juice to colour their hair!

My favourite recent concoction is the traditional combination of one beaten organic egg, olive oil and vinegar approach, which I call DIY hollandaise shampoo! This did quite the job in removing a white residue from my hair that was leftover from an unsuccessful natural hair product that I had been trialling. It also gave the desired picture perfect effect! The reason this blend works so brilliantly is the compounds of each ingredient:

Vinegar neturalises the hair’s pH balance, ridding your locks of microscopic fungus that causes dandruff and other scalp conditions.
Egg is a fabulous protein that acts as a conditioning agent. In fact, pure mayonnaise spread throughout damp hair and left in for 20minutes makes a fabulous simple deep hair conditioner.
Olive oil moistens the scalp and prevents your hair cuticles, which protect the inner structure of your hair, from drying out. Natural cold-pressed oils – in particular coconut and almond oils – have been used for centuries within Asian countries! Almond is full of protein and can be the basis of good naturally moisturising shampoos.

After receiving many positive comments I now make this shampoo every couple of weeks in between using my usual natural shampoo and conditioner. It’s so quick to mix up fresh in the morning.

If you would like to create your own homemade styling gel, this can easily be done using pure aloe vera gel, from one of the most intelligent plants of the natural world.

What (for which) knot?

We don’t all have the time or the inclination to make our own hair products. Choosing natural hair products (many of which include certified organic ingredients) is the perfect solution as these are both kinder to your tresses and scalp and use nature’s own wisdom.

Carry on reading article on natural hair care here.

Technorati Tags: Hair, Natural, secret

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

Image via Wikipedia

Recently, it has been found that most of the commercial shampoo products are filled with chemicals that pose serious risks to health as well as to the environment. While it is true that the chemicals in question like propylene glycol and Sodium Laureth were used in small doses, repeated use of these toxic cocktails was found to cause health problems such as increased risk for cancer development, irritation and reproductive problems. Thankfully, people do not have to take chances of their health or of polluting the environment. Natural shampoos offer safe and chemical-free alternative to your usual hair care needs. But while natural shampoo and other personal care products like soaps and bath gels are labelled as "all-natural" products, there are still confusions on the authenticity of their "all-natural" claims.

In truth, there are no legal definitions that apply for "all-natural" products. While chemical references to the terms "natural" and "organic" mainly involve the inquiry on molecules that contain carbon, there are virtually no standards that apply to such claims. Most of the times, the terms "natural and organic" are only used to gain marketing leverage over consumers who are looking for products that contain a lot less chemicals. But although the "all-natural" claim on some shampoo products seems to be plain word-play, to the more conscientious companies and manufacturers, the "all-natural" claim mains the use of quality plant-based ingredients instead of cheaper, chemical and synthetic ingredients.

In simple terms, there are all-natural shampoo products that might still contain significant percentage of potentially harmful ingredients. Since natural and organic ingredients are more challenging and costly to preserve, some tend to use chemical preservatives and chemically derived sudsing, colorant and fragrant components to make the product more commercial; cheaper to produce yet highly marketable. But to weed out these trick products, try to read and study the ingredients list of the shampoo you plan on buying. Take time to do your research and study whatever ingredient is used in the product. As a rule of thumb, when an ingredient is hard to pronounce, they highly likely to be toxic and unsafe for repeated use.

Natural hair products are easy to spot as they use more ingredients that are a lot more familiar. They use ingredients like aloe, balsam, coconut, avocado, wheat germ, herbs, lemons moisturizers, proteins and vitamins, mostly are plant-based oils and essences. Not only are they ideal for their gentle cleansing properties, they are also loaded with natural nourishing essences that works great in maintaining healthy scalp and shiny hair strands. Aloe is one ingredient that is helpful in soothing irritated scalp. Balsam contains natural hair conditioning properties, which work great in stiff and dull hair. To add shine, body and volume to your hair, try using natural shampoos with coconut oil, avocado oil or wheat-germ oil. Herbs and flowers are used for their naturally fragrant scents.  Lemons are great for removing grimy oil and dirt buildups. Moisturizers, proteins and vitamins are added for their natural hair revitalizing effect, making hair more able to hold moisture and remain manageable.

To make sure that you get the full benefits of regularly washing hair with gentle and natural shampoo, buy only from trusted local and online product distributors. Read through its customer testimonials to learn more about the actual benefits and satisfaction of using authentic natural shampoo products.

Technorati Tags: coconut oil, gentle shampoo, natural shampoo

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

There is a homemade shampoo that can help improve scalp conditions while thoroughly cleansing hair.  It is not like well-known liquid shampoos.  It is a homemade shampoo bar.  It looks just like a bar of soap.  How does this shampoo differ from regular commercial shampoos?  It is a homemade shampoo containing natural ingredients.  It is healthful for the hair and scalp.

Commercial shampoos can be deceiving.   These shampoos may seem like they are providing the hair with the proper nutrients, but over time hair may become brittle, dried out, frizzy, dull, limp, oily and unmanageable.  Why does this happen?  The chemicals in commercial shampoos may be too harsh or harmful for your hair. These harsh ingredients can cause excessive oil production or excessive dryness. The natural beauty of hair is being stripped away and left worse than ever.  There is help using a mild and gentle homemade shampoo with natural ingredients.  These natural ingredients provide a beautiful silky shine while strengthening, repairing and conditioning hair, without build-up. It, naturally, moisturizes and conditions hair, so there is no need to buy any added conditioners! Its healthful nutrients leave hair soft, manageable and naturally nourished.

Commercial shampoos may be causing more damage to your scalp than you realize. You may feel clumps of build-up by running your fingers over your scalp.  Scalp build-up can occur overtime without your knowledge.  If left untreated it can cause skin irritations varying between mild to severe.  You may develop dry scalp, itchy scalp, flaky scalp, excessive dandruff, or more. Why could this be happening?  The harsh chemicals in commercial shampoos can, actually, aid in scalp build-up. These shampoos may claim to be a dandruff cure but in reality, their harsh skin care ingredients are aiding in excessive dryness and flakiness! The hair may look beautifully cleansed but underneath lays poor scalp conditions.  There is help using a homemade shampoo with natural ingredients.  The natural shampoo bar helps to improve scalp conditions. Its nutrients protect the scalp against build-up. It helps get rid of dandruff. This homemade hair care product leaves skin very close to its natural pH.

The homemade, all natural, shampoo bar is very convenient and affordable! You never have to worry about spills! You can take it anywhere, easily. Its ingredients are formulated to provide a long-lasting shampoo and you do not have to buy added conditioners!

If you are tired of using commercial shampoos, you may consider switching to a homemade shampoo.  The, all natural, shampoo bar is healthful and nourishing for the hair and scalp.  This homemade shampoo is the best shampoo around!

Technorati Tags: Conditions, Homemade, Improve, Scalp, Shampoo

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

Apparently, there is no legal definition of ‘natural shampoo’. But on a chemical standpoint, being labelled as natural or organic shampoo is only reference to its content, particularly molecules containing carbon. This means that there are actually no legal guidelines and boundaries for manufacturers to control the ingredients of shampoo products that have ‘all natural’ claims.

Hence, companies that are simply labelling shampoos as ‘all natural shampoos’ may still be using cheap, synthetic and potentially harmful chemical ingredients. Since natural and organic ingredients like fruit extracts and plant derived oils are expensive and have relatively limited production rates, manufacturing companies are still compelled to use chemically derived sudsing ingredients, synthetic fragrances and other artificial ingredients which are common irritants.

Understandably, consumers are easily drawn and lulled into thinking that products labelled as ‘all natural’ and containing ‘herbal extracts’ are better than regular shampoo products. Most people are easily attracted by shampoo products that use earth-tonish advertising claims. The key to knowing how natural a particular natural shampoo product is checking its ingredients list.

As you read the labels and ingredients list of natural shampoo products, you are likely to discover that they contain ingredients like Diethanolamine (DEA), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Diethanolamine is a common ingredient to most personal care products. According to Dr. Samuel Epstein, M.D., the repeated use of chemical DEA even in small doses may increase the risk of developing cancer. This ingredient tends to react with other ingredients like nitrites, and product another potent carcinogen called nitrosos/DEA. Propylene glycol usually constitutes 10 to 20 percent of a typical formulation for cosmetic products. Its side-effects include skin irritation or dermatitis, liver and kidney abnormalities. This ingredient basically repels components like moisturizing water and oils, which results to dry and itchy hair and scalp.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are responsible for the sudsy properties of shampoos. In simple terms, these ingredients are basically cheap detergents that give shampoos a lot of foam. Deliberate use of these ingredients causes skin or scalp irritation and corroded hair follicles, which impair hair growth. Repeated use of these ingredients also impedes the body’s natural ability to regulate hair and scalp moisture.

A lot of synthetic shampoo ingredients were found to be carcinogenic and common irritants. These ingredients can penetrate deep into the skin and into the bloodstream. Hence, people who are aware of this fact opt to use authentic natural shampoo formulations, even if they are a bit more expensive that regular shampoos.

To ensure the quality of natural shampoo products, most people look for "100% organic" seals. However, it would be wiser to simply refer to the ingredients list. As a rule of thumb, if the name of the ingredient is difficult to pronounce, they are potentially toxic. Look for ingredients that you are more familiar of. For instance, choose products that contain ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, green tea, chamomile and shea butter. These products use plant-based components to clean hair and leave it smooth and silky. The natural blending of essential oils and herbs readily gives natural shampoo products their fresh scent and gentle hair cleaning action.

Technorati Tags: natural shampoo, Organic Shampoo

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

Healthy-looking, shiny hair depends on several factors.

Healthy Diet

Our diet is a major factor when considering the health of our hair, as well as our health in general.

A healthy diet containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will keep your body healthy as well as your hair.

It’s important to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement every day if you want your hair and body to stay in tip top condition. This is because the soil we use to grow crops is now so depleted of minerals that it is necessary to take extra vitamin supplements to make sure we are getting all our necessary nutrients.

Drinking at least 8 glasses of fresh water every day is important to our health ( and therefore our hair ) in order to keep ourselves properly hydrated.

Natural Shampoo and Conditioner

The type of shampoo and conditioner we use is another important factor regarding the health of our hair.

So many shampoos today contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Sodium lauryl sulfate is a harsh detergent which is used in many shampoos . It can cause skin irritation and is extremely harsh to the hair because it strips the hair’s natural oils.

This can leave the hair dry, frizzy, tangled and unmanageable. This is where the need for conditioners comes in. We dry out our hair every time we wash it, so we have to replace the moisture that is lost during the washing process. Conditioners are necessary because of the harsh chemicals in shampoos. If your hair is dry or frizzy, you may want to check to see what’s in your shampoo.

I recommend only washing your hair with 100% natural shampoo and you should notice the difference with the first wash! Because natural shampoos don’t contain any harsh ingredients, they gently cleanse the hair without drying it out.

You may find that a conditioner is no longer necessary. If you choose to use conditioner make sure it is 100% natural conditioner.

There are many so-called ‘natural’ products on the market now, but be sure that the one you buy is all-natural. Read the ingredient list, as a lot of products are marketed as natural, but they may only contain a small percentage of pure, natural ingredients. If it’s all natural, that’s the one to buy.

Natural Hair Styling Products

If you use hair styling products, be sure to use only natural hair styling products, as many styling products on the market today contain drying ingredients which add to the problem of dry, frizzy hair. Natural hair styling products can enhance the condition of the hair as they style, as they are full of natural, nourishing ingredients.

Wash Hair No More Than Once A Week

Back in the 1970′s many people, both men and women, had long, glossy, healthy-looking hair.

I believe the main reason for this is because back then, people didn’t wash their hair as often as they do today. We have become obsessed about washing today, especially in the western world. Our hair and skin are not designed to be washed with detergent based cleansers every day.

I recommend only washing your hair once a week with a gentle, natural shampoo and conditioner. If you feel that you can’t leave it that long between washes, just rinse it through with warm water to freshen it up.

It’s interesting how many women now have to rely on long hair extensions because their hair just won’t grow fast enough. Overwashing hair with chemical-filled shampoos may well be the reason, as SLS is known to corrode the hair follicle and impair it’s ability to grow hair.

So here is the simple formula for healthy-looking, glossy hair :

Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables

Drink plenty of water.

Take a multivitamin and multimineral every day.

Use only 100% natural shampoo and conditioner.

Use only natural hair styling products.

Wash hair no more than once a week with natural shampoo and conditioner.

Follow these steps and I am sure you will soon have gorgeously glossy, healthy looking hair

Technorati Tags: Hair, Healthylooking, Natural

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

We are living in the time when plastics are used on anything and everything. We encounter them every minute and every day of our lives. But while plastics are undeniably useful and convenient, certain types of plastics are slowly destroying the environment and poisoning our bodies. For one thing, plastics last forever and they cannot easily be discarded. Plastic wastes pose serious threats to our environment. Similarly, the toxic and potentially hazardous chemicals in plastic were found to cause minor to serious health effects. When it comes to shampoo bottles, the type of plastic used is classified under those that are recyclable and re-usable. However, since shampoo formulations were notoriously known for their potentially toxic chemical and synthetic ingredients, there has been a concern on the use of plastic containers as these ingredients might react to the chemical components of plastic shampoo bottles.

Bisphenol-A and Pthalates are common ingredients of commercial plastic bottles, like those used for shampoo packaging. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is present in plastics using polycarbonate resins or Polyethylene Terepthalate (PET). BPA is actually a potent hormone disruptor. It can potentially impair reproductive organs and impair breast tissue development. When BPA is exposed to heat or to the chemical ingredients of its content, it becomes really harmful to health. On the other hand, pthalates are the ingredient that gives plastic products their soft and pliable properties. Certain concentrations of phthalates exhibited negative health effects like insulin resistance and abdominal obesity. Not only is this ingredient harmful to health but to the environment as well.

Since commercial plastic shampoo bottles use plastic number three, they expose their chemical ingredients to the chemical components of polyvinyl chloride or PVC plastic. PVC plastic is known to react to the chemical ingredients of its content, leeching out minor to serious health consequences like increased rate of cancer.

The usefulness of plastic stems from its durability and cheap value. This makes them an ideal choice of storage or packaging for shampoo products. But while some brands put more focus and emphasis in creating the best possible hair care formulation out there, they seem to overlook the simple detail of how the formula may be altered when exposed to the chemical structure of its plastic container. When most commercial shampoo formulations were already discovered and proven to use toxic chemical ingredients and synthetic components, adding up the potentially harmful effect of plastic storage makes them even more worrisome.

The more pressing issue on the use of plastic shampoo bottles is its impact in the environment. Since they are made from non-renewable and fossil fuel based substances, they are never biodegradable. Over time, the toxicity levels of plastic wastes will even go higher. Although they break down into smaller pieces over time, they basically turn to worst as the fragmented remains of plastics make them even more easily drawn to the seas, contaminating waterways, feeding their tiny bodies into fishes and other forms of marine life.

Plastics were not proven to be absolutely safe to use as storage or packaging material for food or any other commercial products like shampoo. But they are also not proven to be entirely harmful for industrial and commercial use. However, the conscious effort of preferring chemical-free, gentler and organic shampoo solutions would be a wise precaution to be relieved of these potential health risks the combination of chemical shampoos and plastic. The concern on the effects of plastic on popular and chemical-laden shampoo products has fueled the interest and demand for more natural and organic shampoo formulations.

Technorati Tags: plastic containers, shampoo bottles

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

The environmental effects of using chemical-laden shampoo have beyond reaching down the drain and sewage of your home. Traces of the chemical ingredients of commercial shampoos have been found present in the waterways, seas and other bodies of water. In the recent report of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), washed away shampoo and other personal care products like shower gels, soaps and cosmetic products were found to pose serious risks in contaminating waterways and seas, thereby harming sea life and people’s health.

The truth is that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offer little protection for the consumers when it comes to regulating the chemical ingredients of commercial shampoos. Although there are standards that are laid out for the manufacturers to follow, the FDA spends more time regulating new prescription drugs and less attention to regulating the ingredients used on shampoo and other personal care products. In this sense, manufacturers can virtually put any potentially harmful chemical in their product and still go away with doing it.

When the regulations in manufacturing safe and quality personal care products are virtually nonexistent, there is a need for everyone to take the proactive stand in choosing safer and more eco-friendly products like natural and organic shampoos to protect not only our health but also the health of the planet. To get an idea on the seriousness of the impact of chemical-laden shampoos to your health as well as to the environment, get familiarized with these common ingredients:

Petroleum based ingredients used in shampoos, hair relaxers and other cosmetic products produce toxic by-products. These ingredients are derived from crude oil and were found to have carcinogenic properties. They tend to coat the skin and clog the pores, which interfere with the body’s ability to excrete waste and toxins.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is an ingredient that is found in most shampoo products that are labeled as "natural". Ironically, this ingredient can cause skin irritation and prolonged exposure might increase the risk of liver, lung and immune system damage as well as reproductive system disorders. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are forms of alkyl sulfates, which are harmful to marine life and to the environment as they are non-biodegradable.

Irgasan DP 300, otherwise known as Triclosan, is a phototoxic ingredient that pollutes the air, land, and water.

Propylene Glycol, which is a common ingredient of shampoo, lotion and cosmetic products are highly toxic. EPA warns the public of this ingredient’s negative effect on the skin. This is also a petroleum-derived ingredient.

In fact, if you are going to study the ingredients list of popular shampoo products, you might be surprised to see items that are actually listed in the hazardous chemical database of RTEC and EPA. Most people are blithely aware of the actual dangers of using chemical-laden shampoos on a regular basis. Imagine millions of people washing their hair with toxic chemicals and imagine how much toxic waste they flush down the drain.

In this light, your preference of using authentic natural shampoo products offers an excellent opportunity of saving the environment from its common pollutants. It will also keep the fishes in the sea clean and free from toxins. When gentle, chemical-free, eco-friendly and natural shampoo formulations are conveniently available in drug stores, groceries, local retail shops and in trusted online distributors, you do not have to expose yourself or the fishes from the potential dangers of using toxic shampoos.

Technorati Tags: fish drain, Shampoo

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

The benefits of Shikakai are extracted from the pods of shrub botanically referred to as Acacia Concinna. It is found to be growing in abundance in the hot, dry climates of Central Asia and the Far East. The pods of this plant are distinctive on account of the fact that they are rich in soponins which are the foam forming substances. Soponins are traditionally known to be mild detergents and as marine poisons often used to kill the fish. Interestingly soponins from the bark of Shikakai plant have potent spermicidal effects and serve as effective birth control remedy.

Shikakai pods have been used traditionally by the Indians for washing hair and for bath. They can either be ground into powder or paste and applied on hair. Else they can be soaked overnight in water and subsequently boiled and cooled for washing. Soponins are natural cleansers and function without striping the scalp of its natural oils. They are mild and have low pH. They are special because besides cleansing they simultaneously serve as excellent conditioners and detangler. The term Shikakai translates into ‘fruit for the hair’ on account of its wholesome superior qualities. A wash with water in which Shikakai nuts/pods have been soaked removes oil and dirt from the hair, promotes hair growth besides leaving the head hair sans of fungal infections.

Use of Shikakai especially in the summer months helps keep body cool and keeps the scalp moist. It can be used alongside henna and amla powder overnight in a iron container or utensil and applied on hair for 2 hours before rinsing. It has been found better than any expensive artificial color or conditioners sold in the market. Shikakai is the natural astringent for the hair giving it the necessary bounce and vigor.

The leaves of Shikakai plant are acrid and are used by local people to make chutneys, to treat dandruff and keep the skin off diseases and detrimental effects of pollution of various kinds. An excellent remedy to keep wrinkles at bay is. Soak 2-3 pods of Shikakai in a bowl or glass of water and wash your face in the morning with the decocted water.

Decoctions of Reetha and Shikakai have been used to wash clothes made of delicate fiber such as cashmere, silk and pure cotton.

Technorati Tags: Natural, Shampoo, Shikakai

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer

Natural Shampoo

Shikakai (Acacia Concinna) is a small shrub-like tree which grows in the warm, dry plains of South Asian countries. 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”.
Shikakai 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 South Asian countries.
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 detangle. This ancient product is probably the world’s original pH balanced shampoo. The resulting shampoos are truly different–they are gentle, mild, naturally low pH, and are genuine alternatives to all other shampoos found today.
Shikakai is the nature non-polluting product do not pollute our environment, consider as renewable primary products. The Shikakai trees absorb Carbon dioxide and turn it into Oxygen.
Shikakai trees available in the hill areas of Bangladesh in a large number.
Sindhiya Enterprise Bangladesh is the collecting source of Shikakai Soapnut shells and other Natural and Eco friendly products in Bangladesh, directly by people of hill tribes, forest and surrounding areas who, especially poor women of area collect Shikakai from the jungles, this is the main income source of common people of the area in the winter season when Shikakai (fruit) comes on its little trees.

Our environment and green hous is the affecting with anty nature products, Nature had already arrange many things for us to save green house, but we are still going to damage it. Now it is the time to leave all foolish anty Nature products and join hands with all earth and nature lovers to save our Mother Nature for us and for our children.

Sindhiya Enterprise Bangladesh is the main source in Bangladesh to produce Eco friendly and Natural products.

Technorati Tags: acacia, Concinna, Grows, Hair, Natural, Shampoo, Shikakai, Tonic, Tree

For some of the best natural and organic skin and hair care products Click Here to see the range of natural beauty products from Linda Anousta

Powered By WP Footer