Are you troubled by expensive chemical shampoos? Try this natural remedy, hair will become soft and shiny, dandruff will also go away.

The use of Reetha in the entire Kumaon-Garhwal region including Bageshwar is not a new thing. In olden times, when market shampoos were not available, people used to wash hair with this natural grain. Reetha trees are easily found in forests, on the banks of fields and around villages. According to elderly Narayan Singh, for generations women used to dry Reetha and preserve it for the whole year. This tradition was not limited to just cleaning the hair, but was a part of the natural lifestyle. Even today, in many villages people are leaving expensive products and returning to Reetha.

Reetha is called Soapnut in English. Natural saponin is found inside its fruit, which produces foam when mixed with water. This saponin cleans the dirt from hair and scalp without causing any harm. The special thing is that it does not contain any chemical, sulphate or paraben. This is why it is considered safe even for people with sensitive scalp. Reetha maintains the natural moisture of the hair, due to which the hair does not become dry.

Regular use of reetha strengthens the hair roots. While chemical shampoos dry out the scalp, Reetha maintains the natural balance. Due to this the problem of dandruff gradually reduces. Washing hair with reetha provides relief from itching, dandruff and excessive hair fall. From Ayurvedic point of view, Reetha is also considered beneficial for hair, because it helps in the growth of new hair by keeping the scalp clean.

It is very easy to make shampoo from reetha. Soak 4-5 pieces of dried reetha in water overnight or boil for 10-15 minutes. After boiling, foam forms in the water. This foamy water is cooled and applied directly on the hair. The quantity can be increased according to the length of the hair. In rural areas, women wash their hair with this water once or twice a week. This is a completely free and natural method.

The use of Reetha is not limited to shampoo only. In the mountains, clothes are washed with it, especially woolen clothes, so that they do not get wrinkled. Apart from this, it is also used in polishing brass-copper utensils and jewellery. Being natural, it does not harm skin and hands. This is the reason why in ancient times Reetha was called “multipurpose grain”. Today, environment lovers are also adopting it as an alternative to chemical detergent.

Most of the shampoos available in the market contain chemical foaming agents, which create lather instantly but can weaken the hair in the long run. On the contrary, Reetha shows effect slowly, but does not harm the health of the hair. People may get confused by seeing less foam in the beginning, but this is its specialty. It cleanses the scalp without stripping it, and maintains the natural strength of the hair.

Reetha is not only safe for hair but also for the environment. It is completely biodegradable, and does not pollute water. Also, with this, people do not need to buy expensive shampoo, which saves monthly expenses. Many families in the mountains are drying reetha and selling it in the local markets, thereby providing them a source of additional income. In this way Reetha promotes both self-reliance and environmental protection.

Now again the trend towards natural things is increasing in Bageshwar and surrounding areas. People have started understanding that nature is more reliable than chemicals. Reetha has emerged as a big example of this. Even today the women of the village tell the benefits of Reetha to the new generation. If used properly, reetha is a cheap and safe solution to many hair problems. This heritage of the mountains can become an example for the entire country in the future.