Bhringraj Powder for Hair & Scalp

How Hair Feels

Used as a mask, Bhringraj usually leaves hair feeling conditioned, smoother and easier to comb once it's rinsed and dry. It's a loose plant powder rather than a creamy conditioner, so the feel is natural rather than coated; follow with your usual conditioner if your lengths need it.

Scalp Care

A soft paste worked over the scalp gives wash day a fresh, cared-for feel once it's rinsed. Keep it soft and rinse it thoroughly, so nothing is left behind.

Who It Suits

Anyone who likes a single-ingredient, mix-fresh routine, blending hair powders or oiling before washing. If your hair is very dry, curly, bleached or porous, use a thinner paste and keep most of it on the scalp, or use the infused oil. If your hair is fine, use a little less and rinse well. On very light, bleached or white hair, try it on a small lock first: fine powder can stay visible until it's washed out.

Before You Start

Patch test 24–48 hours before first use (see Care & Safety). You'll need 2–3 tablespoons of powder, more for long or thick hair, warm water and a bowl.

The Hair and Scalp Mask

1. Put 2–3 tablespoons of Bhringraj Powder in a bowl.
2. Add warm water a little at a time, stirring, until you have a smooth, spreadable paste. Use it fresh; it doesn't need to rest.
3. Apply the paste to your hair and scalp, on dry or slightly damp hair.
4. Leave it on for 20–30 minutes, keeping it soft; rinse before it dries hard.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, and condition if your hair needs it.
6. Use it up to twice a week.

Mixes

Amla or Brahmi: 1 tablespoon of each (2 of each for long or thick hair), warm water to a soft paste, rest 5–10 minutes, then about 20 minutes on damp hair. Aloe Vera Powder: 2 tablespoons of Bhringraj with 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera Powder, rest 10 minutes, then about 20 minutes on wet hair. For a hair wash with Amla, Reetha and Shikakai, see the four-powder hair wash.

Homemade Oil

Warm about 2 tablespoons of the dry powder in roughly 200 ml of coconut or sesame oil in a double boiler for 30–45 minutes, let it cool completely, strain it into a clean, dry jar and use it within 4 weeks, 30–60 minutes before washing. Keep water out of it. Full method: how to make Bhringraj oil at home.

Tips

Don't leave the wet mask on overnight; longer doesn't work better. If your hair feels rough afterwards, use a softer paste, put less on your lengths or switch to the oil: hair feels like straw after Bhringraj.

Eclipta prostrata leaf powder

Warnings

For external use only. Do not eat or drink. Avoid the eyes; if powder or paste gets in them, rinse with plenty of clean water. Don't apply to broken or irritated skin or scalp. Keep out of reach of children. Stop using it if irritation occurs.

How to Patch Test

Patch test 24–48 hours before first use, with the mix you plan to use. Put a little on a small area of clean, unbroken skin, leave it for 24–48 hours, then rinse it off; rinse it off straight away if it burns or itches. Don't go ahead if the skin burns, swells, blisters or turns red, or if it itches and the itch doesn't settle. Test again whenever you add something new to the mix. A patch test can't rule out a reaction later.

Using It Safely

Rinse the paste off and stop using it if your scalp burns or itches while it's on, or if you see redness, swelling, blisters or a rash. Keep the wet mask to 20–30 minutes and rinse it before it dries hard. Anything you add, such as yoghurt, carrier oils or essential oils, brings its own risk of irritation. If your face, lips or eyes swell, or you have trouble breathing, call 911. Pour the powder gently and mix close to the bowl, so you don't breathe in the dust.

Storage

Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight, and use a clean, dry spoon. Don't put wet powder back in the pouch. It keeps for 2 years from the date of packaging. Throw it away if it has got damp, shows mould or smells unusual; small differences in colour and smell between batches are normal.