Fermented Rice Water to reduce hair fall, and grow hair super fast!

So, if you have ever wondered about the rice water beauty hack.  Apparently, it’s great for hair, skin, it lightens, brightens and strengthens.  Well, given its a centuries old,  specifically, used by the Yao women, of China, who have been using rice water for hair for years. (Rice water is the misty coloured 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 long hair since ancient times.

In order for hair to grow, it needs nourishment. Amino acids are extremely important for hair growth as 18 of them are needed for the production of the protein, keratin, which requires 18 different types of amino acids.

Rice water contains an impressive 8 amino acids, so it’s easy to see why it’s so beneficial for hair growth.

Amino acids aside, rice water also contains Vitamins B – needed for strong hair – C – needed to produce sebum which keeps the scalp moisturised – and E – prevents hair loss.

Prevents split endsThe hefty amount of amino acids in rice water give your hair not just the best chance of growth, but also strength. The stronger and healthier your hair, the less likely it is to get split ends – another reason to use rice water for hair!

Makes hair shiny

Vitamin E is also extremely beneficial for the appearance of your hair. It’s known to turn frizzy and damaged masses of hair into slick, sleek and shiny, healthy locks.

Inositol is a pretty special nutrient. This carbohydrate can both remedy and prevent damage to hair, by increasing elasticity and reducing surface friction.

Whether you use styling tools regularly, dye your hair or get perms, inositol could really help get it healthy again. Best of all, it needn’t cost you a fortune  – you can find it in rice water.

How to  use rice water for hair

Want to get hair as long as the Yao women? Here’s how to make your very own rice water or fermented rice water (even more nutritional) hair wash:

Rice water wash

1. Place a tumbler full of rice in a large amount of boiling water.
2. Boil the rice until cooked – you can use this for dinner!
3. Strain the excess water which should be cloudy in colour.
4. Wait until it’s cooled to a comfortable temperature, then add a few optional drops of your favourite essential oils.
5. Shampoo your hair before pouring the rice water over it. Leave for at least 15 minutes whilst gently massaging your hair.
6. Rinse with cool water.

Fermented rice water wash

1. Rinse a cup of rice to get rid of any dirt.
2. Place in a bowl and cover with water for 15 minutes – stirring occasionally.
3. Strain the water into a plastic bottle.
4. Leave it at room temperature for a day or until it turns slightly sour and starts to ferment.
5. Pour into a pan, boil it then allow to cool.
6. Add a few optional drops of tea tree, lavender or rosemary essential oils.
7. Use the water as an alternative to shampoo by gently massaging it into your scalp and through the length of your hair.
8. Rinse thoroughly.

How many times should you wash your hair with rice water?

If you want to reap the benefits of rice water, you need to stick at 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 – rice is an extremely cheap and healthy food source, so this shouldn’t be too much of a problem! Three or more times a week is desirable.

The longest hair in the World

According to the Guinness Book Of Records, Xie Quiping currently has the longest hair in the World. With 5.627 metres of long locks, she’s somewhat of a real-life Repunzel. The record was set in 2004, when Quiping had been growing her hair for a total of 45 years!

So, given all these amazing potential benefits, I decided to give it a shot.  I soaked my rice and bottled up the second rinse.  After the second day, you can definitely smell the fermentation, so I added orange peels to it, along with the some orange essential oil.  I decided to wash my hair with it and then leave it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing off.  Given, I wanted to see results quickly, I decided to place a small amount in a spray bottle and use it as a spray in conditioner, till my next wash.  So far, my hair was well washed, its shiny and not clumpy.  I will share an update after my next wash.