For my friends who know what these are.....
Remember Kunkudukai / Kunkudukaya / Soapnut ???
For my friends who do not know what these are...
These have been used as shampoo, cleanser and also as detergent for over thousands of years in India. It is recommended in Ayurveda for shampooing, cleansing and also has properties for treating various skin disorders.
I have used these for shampooing at Granny's when I was a kid and totally forgot about them till recently. And found them here in US..yippiee :)
There are multiple sites selling these amazing Kunkudukai / Kunkudukaya / Soapnuts. I bought mine at Amazon, you can also check with your local Indian store if they have.
How to use?
Take few Kunkudukai / Kunkudukaya / Soapnuts (I took 18 for both V and myself, I have medium length hair... I should have actually soaked around 10 that should have been enough) and soaked in 2 cups of water over night. Next morning, 2 more cups of water and microwaved for 3 mins. The liquid will be in brownish shade. I let it cool and tried mashing the soap-nuts with hand(inner layer of the soapnut actually is the main star) and used this liquid for shampooing.
Things to note:
- You need to put lil effort to lather. Even then it doesn't lather as much as your regular shampoo does. Don't mistake this for your hair not being cleaned, it cleans your hair (Heres what I did: I oiled my hair before hair wash. I used the liquid thrice in my hair wash - first 2 times I didn't get any lather but in the third cycle there was lather. Btw.. I have dry hair so I was a lil worried that I will have lot of hair fall trying to rinse my hair so I didn't try hard to rinse).
- You don't need conditioner after shampooing with this (It cleaned my hair real well. I let my hair air dry and once dry, my hair was not frizzy! and easy to detangle. And yeah it enhanced my natural curls :) love it! )
- Be very careful and do not let this liquid get in your eyes, its painful when gets in eyes.
- Soap-nuts when soaked give out a lil odor but that doesn't get to your hair.
Hi All, Do we find these at any of the indian grocery stores in US. I stay in Sunnyvale,CA.
ReplyDeleteAnd i also wanted to know if we can get the kunkudukaya powder from india to here in our luggage bags.
That powder where it is available
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ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see a blog on kunkudukai. This is the best remedy i have known till date for dandruff and dry scalp. It works great.
ReplyDeleteAn Additional Tip:
If your hair is getting dry after using this solution, Try These....
1. Make a paste of Hibiscus leaves(If you can get some) and add to the kundukai liquid.
2. Add 2-3 tbsps of shikai powder which you can get from amazon or any indian stores.
You can also add both of the above. Happy shampooing :)
Hi Swapna... You can try at your local Indian store for kunkudkai, I didn't find it where I live so ordered online. I don't think it should be of any problem to bring kunkudkaya powder from India as long as it well sealed/packed.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteTo add on to the post. the Kunkudukaya is first hit to remove the inner seed and then u smash it a little bit more and soke it up in hot water for 10 mins. Remember do not boil it after soaking as it would give a pungent smell. after soaking it just try to bring a lather and then it is ready to be used.
Hi Swapna, mee vuru Rajampet naa ??
ReplyDeletewe are processors and suppliers of soapnut shells
ReplyDeletewe supply them at USD 2 per Kilo
FOB Chennai India
we also supply Muslin cotton bags
www.archanaexports.net