YOU NEED TO READ THIS:
We all cook rice, we eat rice..Jollof rice, Fried rice, white rice etc.
Did you cook rice Today or Yesterday?
Even if you didn't cook it yesterday!
Let us talk about the last time you cooked it. After parboiling it what did you do with the water?
Hmmm
You are guilty abi
Did you throw it away?
Oh no
Don't pour it away next time!
I know that after reading the benefits of rice water now, you will never throw it away again. I am sure of that.
You poured it away because you didn't know that rice is one of the best beauty product you can use for your skin and hair. I used to pour it away too so I was once like you. I was pouring it away because I didn't know the benefit. If they don't tell you the benefit, you will just be pouring it away because there is nothing you need it for and then we cooked rice almost every week and I was there pouring the water away. But now, I don't pour my rice water away. I now use it. What do I use it for? This article will help you to know everything you need to know.
Rice water is full of minerals and vitamins best is enriching your skin that is what you don't know.
RICE WATER IS VERY GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN:
After 31 minutes of your rice being soaked in water.
Strain into an air tight container.
Store in your fridge for at least a week after which you can make a new one.
After doing this, it is very useful for:
*FACIAL CLEANSER:
Yes, just deep a cotton inside the water and apply to your face gently for minutes.
After doing this, allow it to air dry.
Use it continuously and you will see that it will make your skin very soft.
RICE WATER IS VERY GOOD FOR YOUR HAIR:
As it can detangle your hair, make your hair smooth, shine and stronger. It is also very good if you want to have a long hair.
Yes, it is perfect for hair. What’s in it that makes it so? Studies show that rice water contains inositol, a carbohydrate that repairs damaged hair.
This inositol stays in the hair even after the rice water is rinsed off, acting as a shield and protecting your hair from damage. Rice water also contains amino acids that strengthen the hair roots, increase hair volume, and make your hair shiny and smooth.
In every possible way, rice water is great for your hair. It is safe, natural, and has absolutely no side effects. It improves the condition of your hair in a healthy manner.
Take my word, there’s nothing better than rice water for your hair.
*Plain Rice Water Vs. Fermented Rice Water – Which Is More Effective?*
Rice water sounds like a seemingly simple entity. But it has a few variations, of which plain rice water and fermented rice water are better known. Let’s figure out which one is better.
Plain rice water’s pH is higher than your hair’s pH. Fermentation brings down the pH levels of the rice water to that of your hair and helps close the cuticles, thereby protecting the hair.
Fermenting rice water enhances the existing vitamins and nutrients levels in it, which nourish your hair follicles. It promotes healthy hair growth and improves the overall condition of your hair.
Also, during fermentation, a substance called ‘pitera’ forms in the rice water, and it is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and organic acids. Pitera is known to promote cell regeneration and keep your skin and hair healthy.
Fermented rice water is acidic, and when you rinse your hair with it, it restores and balances the pH of your hair.
Fermented rice water enhances the benefits of plain rice water, and you can use either of them depending on the level of repair and rejuvenation you need.
Methods Of Preparing Rice Water
1. Boiled Rice Water
I) What Is Boiled Rice Water?
One way of obtaining rice water is by boiling the rice. The excess water left after cooking rice in water is called boiled rice water. It is a concentrated liquid that you can dilute to use as a face wash or a hair rinse.
II) How To Make Boiled Rice Water
Take a tumbler and fill it with rice (white, brown, basmati, or jasmine rice).
Fill it with more water than you usually use to cook.
Boil the rice for some time. You can either take the excess water that comes on to the top layer or wait till the rice is cooked and then strain the excess water in the tumbler.
This water will be a highly concentrated cloudy liquid.
III) How To Use Boiled Rice Water For Hair
Boiled rice water is an excellent conditioner, so let’s figure out how to use it as one.
Take a mug of boiled rice water and add a few drops of rosemary, lavender, or chamomile essential oil to it.
Shampoo your hair and then pour the rice water over it. Leave it on for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the time you have.
Gently massage your hair and scalp during this period.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with regular water after you are done. Use it at least once a week to see improvement in the health and texture of your hair.
2. Fermented Rice Water
I) What Is Fermented Rice Water?
Fermented rice water is rice water that is left to ferment for a while before use. Fermentation turns the rice water into a potent liquid that needs to be diluted before use.
II) How To Make Fermented Rice Water?
Take half a cup of rice and soak it in two cups of water. Keep it aside for 15 to 30 minutes.
Extract the water by straining the rice.
Transfer the liquid you obtain to a jar and leave it there for a day or two at room temperature.
When you notice a sour smell emanating from the jar, stop the fermentation and shift the jar to the fridge.
Add a cup or two of warm water before you use the fermented rice water as it is highly potent and direct use is not recommended.
III) How To Use Fermented Rice Water For Hair
How about a rich hair mask to nourish your hair? Sounds like something you need, right? Let’s learn how to make one with fermented rice water and mustard.
Take an adequate amount of mustard powder and mix it in the fermented rice water until it forms a smooth paste.
Add some olive oil to the paste and mix thoroughly.
Apply the paste on your scalp. Do not let it spread onto your hair.
Leave the mask on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.
Benefits Of Rice Water For Hair
Rice water contains inositol, a carbohydrate that helps strengthen elasticity and reduce surface friction. Check out here what are the best rice water benefits for hair.
1. Improves Hair Growth
Nothing better than rice water to decrease hair fall and aid hair growth. The amino acids present in rice water, in particular, help in the regeneration of hair and aid faster growth of your hair.
Also, rice water contains vitamins B, C, and E, which further help in hair growth. The best way to use rice water to grow hair is to rinse your hair with it after a wash. Follow the process at least twice a week, and you will surely see the results.
2. Reduces Split Ends
Split ends make you look like a mess, don’t they? Your hair needs protein to avoid split ends, and rice water has plenty of it.
The primary causes of split ends are inadequate maintenance and pollution, which lead to an overall degeneration in the health of your hair. The amino acids present in rice water come to your rescue and repair the damage.
Soak your split ends in rice water for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash your hair. You will gradually see improvement in the condition of your hair.
3. Hair Rinse
Rinsing your hair with rice water after shampooing instead of using a conditioner is the best thing you can do. It improves your hair texture and increases volume. It also tames and smoothens your hair. And, above all, it keeps your hair strong and healthy.
4. Protects Hair From Damage
Rice water decreases surface friction and improves hair elasticity. It contains a carbohydrate called inositol that repairs damaged hair and protects hair in general.
What makes rice water stand apart from other ingredients is the fact that the inositol remains in your hair even after rinsing off the rice water and shields your hair from further damage.
5. Strengthens The Hair Roots And Smoothens Hair
Rice water is rich in amino acids – this is something you already know. You’d be amazed to know that apart from the many benefits that they impart to your hair, they also strengthen your hair roots, add shine to hair, and make it smooth and silky.
6. Cures Dandruff
Dandruff is a menace. It is like a plague attacking your head, leaving a shower of white mist on your clothing. It is utterly embarrassing and a cause of itching and irritation.
Rice water gives you respite from dandruff and, with regular use, helps you combat the problem altogether. For that to happen, you must rinse your hair with rice water regularly.
7. Makes Hair Silky And Shiny
Who doesn’t want silky and shiny hair? It is what we all dream about. And rice water can make it happen. All you have to do is use rice water as a hair mask, leave it on for 20 minutes, and then wash it off.
Follow it up with shampoo and conditioner, and voila! It works even better if you add some rose water to your rice water solution.
8. Removes Lice
Ah, lice! Those tiny creatures are ruining your peace and sucking the blood out of you. Don’t worry because rice water can easily tackle them. The starch in rice water kills the lice and nits instantly.
Rice water nips the problem before it can spread too much and make it worse for you.
9. As A Hair Conditioner
Rice water makes for a good and cost-effective hair conditioner. Add a wee bit of rosemary, lavender, or geranium essential oil to it, and you are good to go.
Apply the solution to the entire length of your hair. Leave it on for anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.
Try it because it is an excellent conditioner. I am not simply saying it. Rice water, as a conditioner, repairs your hair, strengthens it, and enhances its elasticity.
Tips To Wash Hair With Rice Water
There are some tips to keep in mind to make your hair wash routine with rice water a fulfilling experience.
Rice water contains natural saponins and can be used as a mild cleanser. But to avoid and remove the build-up of rice water in your hair over time due to hard water, you must add a teaspoon of a natural clarifier like lime, amla, or shikakai to it.
Green tea is also an excellent addition to rice water as it imparts additional shine and strength to your hair. It also reduces hair loss.
* Answers For Your Questions*
Can I leave rice water in my hair overnight?
That won’t be necessary. A duration of 15-30 minutes would do as the carbohydrate in the rice water remains in the hair even after you wash it off to protect your hair.
Can I consume rice water?
Definitely! Rice water has as many benefits for your body as it does for your hair.
Eager to try rice water and check out its benefits, aren’t you? Well, before you go ahead with that, I must tell you rice water is not a great smelling liquid, especially fermented rice water.
Also, the hair benefits of rice water mentioned in the article are not entirely supported by research. Nevertheless, it has been working for many people down the ages, so why not do a small strand test and go ahead with it.
Thanks for reading!