Rice Water.....an elixir for hair

The Yao ethnic women from the village of Huangluo in China, with their average hair length of about 6 feet, these women made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s longest hair village”. Plus these women do not have grey hair till the late 80s. The Yao women believe that the fermented rice water, which they use to cleanse their hair, is what helps to keeps their hair long, dark, and clean. Rice water enables these women to de-tangle and manages their long hair, which they wrap around their heads in an elaborate high bun that is often described with names such as ‘gazing god’s bun’ or the ‘cloud bun’.

Yao women have been using rice water for hair for years. (Rice water is the misty colored liquid left from boiling rice, and fermenting it makes it even more beneficial for hair). It's been the Yoa women's secret - as well as imperial princesses in the East - to grow long and healthy hair since ancient times.

The effects of rice water are further enhanced if you ferment it. Fermented rice water is rice water that is left to ferment and has gone slightly sour. It is rich in antioxidants, minerals, B vitamins, vitamin E, and traces of pitera, a substance produced during the fermentation process.

Here are some of the benefits of regular use of rice water.

• makes hair smoother, less frizzy

• Prevents hair fall

• helps retain natural hair color for longer

• increases shine

• makes hair stronger

• helps hair grow long

Now let's answer some questions

How Often?

If you want to reap the benefits of rice water, you need to stick to it! Thicker, shinier, and more voluminous hair won't happen overnight and you'll need to use rice water regularly to really see a difference.

Try and make a habit of using rice water to wash your hair at least once a week.

How to make this water?

• Take 1/4 cup of uncooked rice

• Rinse thoroughly

• Add rice to a mason jar with 2 cups of water

• Add 1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds

• Peels of an orange/ grapefruit

• Hibiscus flower if available

Leave to ferment for 4-5 days. when you are ready to wash your hair, strain the water. Now you can add 2 or 3 drops of either rosemary or tea tree oil. This is fermented water, it does smell, adding essential oils only not helps with the smell but also stimulates the scalp.

How to use it?

After shampooing, pour the rice water on your hair. Gently massage your scalp and hair, lightly squeeze out any extra water and leave it on for 45 minutes to an hour. Then rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water. You can apply the conditioner if needed.

My experience: I have tried using both — plain and fermented —rice water as the final rinse and found that fermented water gives better results for my hair. After 3 – 4 weeks of using fermented rice water, my hair felt softer, stronger, and more manageable. Also, I noticed that I shed less hair than I normally do – rice water really works.

To read more and watch a detailed video click here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN0EnX-VHj8&t=664s