Yeah as I write this it’s the Christmas season; a time usually associated with merriment. Whether you are transitioning, just did your big chop or simply seeking a healthier alternative to caring for your relaxed tresses, you probably have your hands full trying to figure out how to enjoy the festivities of the season, look fabulous for every event on your calendar and still ensure that you see to the health of your hair.
After putting in so much mental effort and making as much progress as you have, it would certainly be a shame to see all that you’ve accomplished become undone because of those sub-zero temperatures.
So even while the buzz of all the excitement sets in, if you are serious about maintaining healthy thriving hair, you must safeguard against damage from the elements and manipulation.
This can be quite a balancing act at this time of the year so perhaps to put your mind at ease a little you may need to be a bit more proactive that just throwing on a hat and running out the door. In fact, a hair treatment that fortifies and moisturizes might just be what the doctor ordered!
Earlier this month we explored the benefits of Cassia Obovata. This post looks more closely at how you might be able to benefit from treatments by making a mix suited to your needs and adding it to your regimen. We will also explore recipes that you might be interested in trying.
Cassia* Treatments
The great thing about cassia treatments is that they are so versatile and can be customized to suit each individual. If you know what your hair likes and what it requires, then you can go ahead (with some light research) and throw some things together to create the perfect mix for you.
Cassia* Obovata is an ayurvedic powder that is lighter than henna*. The powder might be really fine or a bit grainy depending on what part of the plant was ground to produce the powder but the benefits are the same.
It is not as permanent as henna* and can be done once per month or more often if you prefer. It produces no buildup on hair when used and it can be mixed with other powders to enhance it’s benefits.
Usually when mixing ayurvedic powders, it may be best to mix the powders in their dried state before adding your binding agents, but if you’ve already got a mix sitting in your freezer there is nothing that says you can’t thaw it and mix it with a fresh batch of paste.
There are numerous recipes for cassia (so much so, that they all cannot be contained in this post). You might choose to mix the powder on it’s own with just warm water or with herbal teas, coconut* water or even coconut* milk.
If you are a fan of essential oils* or have a specific hair butter you want to use, go ahead as long as it addresses your hair’s need for strength or moisture (it helps to know which you would like to focus on for each treatment).
what is that ?
It’s like henna with all the benefits but without the color.
hot water ? your suppose to use cold water
Cassia?
Hi Shaquilla, and that’s correct; Cassia. It is also called senna or neutral henna because it mimics the benefits of henna, except, it is from a different plant entirely.
Amla powder and aloe Vera powder are my favorites.
I always use coconut milk. Once I used apple cider vinegar with henna it dried my hair out so bad I had to cut three inches off. That’s hen I decided to go natural.
I read the link but Im unsure what it will do for your hair?
Hi Tamora ,
Thanks for reading. A cassia treatment aids in strengthening your hair as well as moisturizing your strands. It is ggreat for filling in the gaps in damaged hair to prevent breakage. It works like henna except it is not permanent and it does not colour dark hair.
Hi Adri’Ana,
Thanks for your show of interest in the article. You may be more inclined to use water that is not warm and there really should be no issues with that either.Some person’s are know to use cold water, some substitute other things for the water such as orange juice, coconut milk, or a brew of black or green tea. I think the premise that warm water should be used has to do with either of two things:
1. It allows things to be thoroughly combined and allows the lumps to work themselves out as the mix sits for about an hour
2. The cuticle tends to open up a bit more in warm temperatures. This would enhance the absorption of the strengthening properties in the mix.
When it comes to henna, cassia or alma where can I find it? I usually stick to grocery and drugstore for hair products. Is this something that I need to run to a local market for?
Hi Melissa, you can find them in your nearest local Indian grocer or order at mehandi.com or hennasooq.com. Both stores offer high quality products and fast delivery.
Where do you buy the Amla powder?
Hello Jessica, you can often find Amla and other ayurvedic solutions at any Indian grocer or you can order online from hennasooq.com or mehandi.com. The delivery times are fast especially in and around the US. Customers have received their products within a day or two of placing their orders and international orders take 12-18 business days.
Amla powder I have purchased at Indian markets and Amazon
That was for Jessica Leyla’s Ummi
T’as vu amla encore Nelly Babe
achete ton papak hair et tu me diras mdr
I also add Brahmi to my conditioning pack. I use shikakai powder instead of shampoo. I recommend doing an oiling prepoo on damp hair to prevent dryness when using herbs.
How is this applied ?
Would that treatment grow your hair
Teresa Angie