Shikakai Powder

*Shikakai has been used as a hair cleanser for centuries in India, and it contains the vital vitamins needed such as C and D to have vibrant hair. Shikakai helps in addressing dandruff, encourages stronger hair, and may take care of lice.

*Benefits include preventing hair loss, scalp health, soothes the skin and optimal dental health.

Suggested external use only, or as recommended by health practitioners.

Botanical Name - Acacia concinna
Family – Fabaceae
English Names – Shikakai; Soap pod, Soap pod wattle, Soap acacia, Soap-nut acacia.

Morphology –
Shikakai is a climbing shrub. Thorny branches have brown smooth stripes – thorns are short, broad-based, flattened. Leaves are with caducous stipules not thorn-like. Leaf stalks are 1-1.5 cm long with a prominent gland about the middle. Leaves are double-pinnate, with 5-7 pairs of pinnae, the primary rachis being thorny, velvety. Each pinna has 12-18 pairs of leaflets, which are oblong-lance shaped, 3-10
mm long, pointed, obliquely rounded at the base. The inflorescence is a cluster of 2 or 3 stalked rounded flower-heads in axils of upper reduced leaves, appearing paniculate. Stalk carrying the cluster is 1-2.5 cm long, velvety. Flower-heads about 1 cm in diameter when mature. Flowers are pink, without or with reduced subtending bracts. Pods are thick, somewhat flattened, stalked, 8 cm long, 1.5-1.8 cm wide.

Physical and chemical properties of Shikakai
Taste – astringent, bitter
Quality – coolant
Potency – sweet
Post Digestive effect – coolant