Acacia concinna is also known as Shikakai or Satla has been used in the Indian Subcontinent since ancient times for hair care. In fact, it is one of the Ayurvedic medicinal plants. Acacia concinna* extracts are used in natural shampoos or hair powders and the tree is now grown commercially in India and Far East Asia. Leaves are double-pinnate, containing a cluster of 2 or 3 stalked rounded pink flower heads. Flower heads about 1 cm in diameter when mature. Pods are thick, somewhat flattened, stalked, 8 cm long, 1.5-1.8 cm wide.
The bark contains high levels of saponins, which are foaming agents that are found in several other plant species. Saponin-containing plants have a long history of use as mild cleaning agents.To prepare it in the fruit pods, leaves and bark of Acacia concinna are dried, powdered and made into a paste.
It’s known as, “fruit for hair” and is used as a mild cleansing shampoo in India. While it doesn’t produce the amount of lather a sulfate-containing shampoo would, it is an excellent cleanser for the hair. It’s very mild with a naturally low pH. It doesn’t strip hair of natural oils and it also acts as a detangler, so usually it doesn’t need to be followed up with a conditioner. However, traditionally, prior to washing the hair, user massages the scalp with coconut oil or castor oil.
Acacia concinna is also known to promote hair growth by nourishing the scalp at the glandular level. It also can strengthen hair roots. (This is good news for anybody transitioning from a chemical perm or relaxer to natural hair). It is rich in vitamin C and vitamin D, along with other nutrients that nourish the hair follicles and promote hair growth. It can be used by itself or mixed with other natural ingredients in powder form, along with water to form a paste that is then applied to the hair
Lustrous Henna® contains acacia concinna along with other natural plants and herbs used since ancient times. It is a superior henna that not only colors your hair, it actually nourishes your hair with fruit for hair –that grows on trees!
Lustrous Henna® is the brainchild of Syed Abbas, who states, “We list all of our ingredients on every package for your convenience. You can always go online and check the ingredients, too.”
Acacia concinna or Shikakai is also available in natural powder form from Saba Botanical of USA. Contact Saba Botanical for more information on this wonderful flowering plant.
Go Green! You'll LOVE your LUSTROUS LOCKS!
*Source: Wikipedia.
Hi Syed,
I just want to drop you a line to let you know that I have received only excellent and positive feedback from customers concerning the use of the Lustrous Herbal/Henna powders for their hair. As we discussed, I obtained very good results when I tested the various colors. However, the true test is customer satisfaction level. I am pleased to say that my customers are extremely satisfied with the coloring capacity of the herbal/henna powders and the conditioning they obtain as well.
I am always looking for a better product to offer to my customers. So when testing samples of Lustrous Herbal/Henna Powder provided results superior to those obtained with my previous brand of herbal/henna powder, we have switched the brand we offer our customers from our former brand to Lustrous Henna.
Thank you for providing such a reliable and excellent product that will allow men and women to color and condition their hair safely and naturally. While all of the Lustrous colors provide great color coverage, it is the browns and blacks that tend to absolutely outperform the competition in terms of providing true browns and realistic blacks. This is welcome news to people with dark hair who have wanted to use henna products but kept getting red results rather than true browns and black. These are a keeper.
Kindest Regards,
Maureen J.
Read other real customer testimonials.
Author: L.J. O'Neal, writer and researcher. (L.J. is also a Lustrous Henna® user.)
©2011. L.J. O’Neal. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Do not copy or reprint this article without the consent of the author.
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*Even though our herbal ingredients have been used in natural medicine for centuries, we must add the following disclaimer: The herbs, formulas, and recipes contained within this web site are not to be considered substitutes for proper medical and health care. As with any other medicine, if you are sick, you should consult a physician to find out if the herbal preparations listed here are right for you. Saba Botanical does not make any medical claims nor warranties regarding the use of the products listed on this site. No matter how natural a product is, it may have a potential of causing side effects and allergic reaction on certain individuals. You should consult your physician before taking any medication.
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