Conditioning your Hair

By Zahid Hussian & Kaniz Shah

What is hair conditioning?

Hair conditioning is hair care that changes the texture, appearance and health of the hair, making it healthy and manageable.  The traditional conditioners found in the market today have a thick consistency and are usually chemical-based that coat the cuticle of the hair.   Most of these conditioners also detangle the hair, give it shine, help de-frizz and make the hair soft and manageable.  Because of the world’s recent desire to want to use more natural and healthier products, there are now many products available that give you the same results without damaging your hair or the use of harmful chemicals and allergens.

History of hair conditioning:

For centuries, people have been conditioning their hair using natural botanical ingredients in the form of oils, powders, teas and other concoctions.  The ingredients used often differed from one part of the world to another depending upon the plant available in the region.  For example, in India, people used mustard oil and taramira (jamba) oil for deep conditioning effects.  In ancient Egypt, women used creams to moisturize their hair and prevent sun damage.  In ancient China, women used seeds from the Chinese cedar tree to make a hair conditioning rinse.  The Filipino women made hair conditioners using aloe and water.  The Americans in the 1600’s used oils mixed with eggs to condition their hair.  And in other parts of the world people made disgusting combinations to achieve conditioning benefits.  For example, in Europe, women made conditioners made from dead lizards boiled in olive oil.

Men, in the late Victorian era, used a greasy conditioner called Macassar oil, which pretty much greased anything it touched.  It wasn’t until the 1900’s that a less greasy product was created by a Parisian perfumer named Edouard Pinaud, to soften men’s hair.  He called it “Brilliantine”.  Since then, modern science has been creating products, mainly consisting of chemicals, to give the hair greaseless conditioning effects.

Today, people continue the use of chemical ingredients as well as natural botanical ingredients to benefit the health of their hair.

Hair Conditioning, The Natural Way

The regular use of shampoo, chemical hair colors and styling products make your hair dry, frizzy and damaged.  The products may also contain toxins and allergens that are harmful for not just our hair and scalp, but our overall health as well.  People are finding that products with simple ingredients that don’t contain preservatives and chemicals (e.g. jojoba oil, olive oil, mustard oil, etc.) are much more beneficial for their hair and without the side effects. 

Some wonderful ingredients that help condition our hair include:

• Jojoba oil
• Olive oil
• Mustard oil
• Amla oil
• Bhringraj oil
• Cassia obovata powder
• Brahmi powder and oil

What is cassia obovata?

Cassia obovata is a plant with over 400 species, grown in Egypt and Nubia (northeastern Africa).  It is also found in Pakistan, India and South China. The plant grows about two feet high with green leaves and yellow flowers. Cassia powder is used for hair care as well as in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines since the ninth century.

What it does?

From centuries, cassia powder is used for wonderful, safe and chemical free hair conditioning, hair care, shine and coloring.  For centuries, it has been used for the  treatment of eczema and psoriasis (skin diseases).Cassia powder is a good conditioner and it gives deep shine, richness and texture to your hair.   It has the benefits of henna but does not give the hair the orange-ish color that results with the use of henna.  Cassia will, however, add a touch of blonde tint to your blonde and grey/white hair. The color effects are not noticeable in darker hair. 

Use of Cassia with Brahmi:

Take Silk & Stone cassia and brahmi powder each in equal quantity (total 2 to 3 table spoons), add appropriate water to make a thin paste and apply on your scalp and hairs after every bath as a conditioner and wash off after 5 minutes for good hair conditioning and long strong hairs. It also prevent hair fall, loss and damage.

What is brahmi?

Brahmi is an edible flowering plant with small oval-shaped leaves.  The plant grows about 6 inches in height and is native to India and Pakistan. Normally it is used in powder form that is obtained by grinding dried brahmi leaves.

Benefits of Brahmi?

Hair Treatments:

Use of Silk & Stone Brahmi Powder for Hair Care:

Take 50 to 100 grams (according to your hair length) Silk & Stone brahmi powder, add water to make a paste and apply on your scalp and hair twice a month.

Use of Silk & Stone Cassia Powder for Conditioning:

Take 3 to 5 table spoons Silk & Stone cassia powder, add appropriate water to make a thin paste and apply on your scalp and hair as conditioner after every bath and wash off after 5 minutes for good conditioning of your hairs.