Whimsical Rice Water

The bioactive compounds in the rice water hair mist infused with fenugreek, cloves, and butterfly pea provide various benefits for hair health. Here’s a breakdown of the key bioactive compounds from each ingredient and their specific benefits:

Rice Water:

• Inositol (Vitamin B8):

  • Benefits: Penetrates damaged hair and repairs it from the inside out, providing lasting protection and strengthening the hair.

• Amino Acids:

  • Benefits: Nourish the hair, improve its elasticity, and promote overall hair health.

• Vitamins (B, E):

  • Benefits: Promote hair growth, add shine, and strengthen the hair shaft.

    Fenugreek Seeds:

• Phytoestrogens:

  • Benefits: Promote hair growth by mimicking estrogen, which can improve hair density and reduce hair loss.

• Saponins:

  • Benefits: Have antifungal and antibacterial properties, which help maintain a healthy scalp.

• Flavonoids:

  • Benefits: Provide antioxidant protection, reducing oxidative stress on the scalp and hair.

• Cloves:

• Eugenol:

  • Benefits: Has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help maintain scalp health and reduce dandruff.

• Vitamins (A, C, K):

  • Benefits: Strengthen hair follicles, promote hair growth, and enhance hair texture.

• Antioxidants:

  • Benefits: Protect hair from environmental damage and reduce oxidative stress.

Butterfly Pea Flowers:

• Anthocyanins (Ternatins):

  • Benefits: Provide antioxidant benefits, protect hair from free radical damage, and improve scalp health.

• Flavonoids:

  • Benefits: Enhance blood circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth and strengthening hair roots.

• Peptides:

  • Benefits: Nourish hair follicles, promote hair growth, and reduce hair thinning.

Additional Ingredients:

• Aloe Vera Gel (if added):

  • Benefits: Provides hydration, soothes the scalp, reduces dandruff, and promotes hair growth.

• Rosemary Essential Oil (if added):

  • Benefits: Promotes hair growth, reduces stress, and has antimicrobial properties that help maintain scalp health.

Summary of Benefits:

• Hair Growth: Fenugreek seeds, rice water, and butterfly pea flowers promote hair growth by nourishing the scalp and hair follicles.

• Strengthening: Rice water’s amino acids and vitamins, along with fenugreek’s phytoestrogens, strengthen the hair shaft and reduce breakage.

• Scalp Health: Cloves’ eugenol and fenugreek’s saponins maintain a healthy scalp by providing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Antioxidant Protection: The anthocyanins in butterfly pea flowers and the antioxidants in cloves and fenugreek protect hair from oxidative stress and environmental damage.

• Hydration and Shine: Aloe vera gel provides additional hydration, while rice water and fenugreek improve hair texture and shine.

By combining these ingredients, the rice water hair mist delivers a comprehensive range of benefits that support healthy hair growth, strength, and overall hair health.

Here’s a list of the benefits and the corresponding bioactive compounds from the ingredients used in the rice water hair mist:

Benefits / Responsive Compound(s)

Hair growth

Inositol (Rice Water), Phytoestrogens (Fenugreek), Flavonoids (Butterfly Pea)

Hair strengthening

Amino Acids (Rice Water), Phytoestrogens (Fenugreek), Vitamins (Cloves)

Scalp health

Saponins (Fenugreek), Eugenol (Cloves), Flavonoids (Fenugreek, Butterfly Pea)

Dandruff reduction

Saponins (Fenugreek), Eugenol (Cloves), Aloe Vera Gel (optional)

Antioxidant protection

Anthocyanins (Butterfly Pea), Flavonoids (Fenugreek, Butterfly Pea), Antioxidants (Cloves)

Improved hair texture and shine

Amino Acids (Rice Water), Vitamins (Rice Water, Cloves)

Hydration

Aloe Vera Gel (optional)

Antimicrobial properties

Saponins (Fenugreek), Eugenol (Cloves), Lavender Essential Oil (optional)

Reduced oxidative stress

Anthocyanins (Butterfly Pea), Antioxidants (Cloves, Fenugreek)

Enhanced blood circulation in scalp

Flavonoids (Butterfly Pea)

Reduced hair thinning

Peptides (Butterfly Pea), Phytoestrogens (Fenugreek)

Soothing the scalp

Aloe Vera Gel (optional)

Hair loss reduction

Rosemary Essential Oil (optional)

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Whimsical Rice Water

Author: Dr. Aisha H.

Ingredients

Materials

• 1/2 cup of rice
• 2.5 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds
• 4-5 cloves
• 5-6 dried butterfly pea flowers (or 1 teaspoon of butterfly pea flower powder)
• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel (optional, for added hydration)
• 5 drops of rosemary essential oil (optional, for fragrance)

Instructions

Methods

1. Rinse the rice to remove impurities.
2. Method 1:
3. Place the rinsed rice in a bowl and cover it with 3 cups of water. Let it soak for about 30 minutes, then stir it to help release the nutrients into the water.
4. Strain the rice, reserving the water.
5. Transfer the rice water to a clean container and leave it at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours, loosely covered to allow gases to escape.
6. Method 2:
7. Add the rice, fenugreek, cloves, butterfly pea into a mason jar.
8. Add water leave it at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours, loosely covered to allow gases to escape.
9. The water should develop a slightly sour smell, indicating that it is fermenting.
10. Strain the infused rice water into a clean bowl to remove the fenugreek seeds, cloves, and butterfly pea flowers.
11. If desired, add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel for added hydration and 5 drops of lavender essential oil for a pleasant fragrance. Mix well.
12. Transfer the final mixture into a spray bottle using a funnel.
13. Store the hair mist in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. It should last for about a week.

How to use

1. Shake the bottle well before each use.
2. Spray the mist onto your scalp and hair, focusing on the roots and lengths.
3. Gently massage your scalp and leave the mist in your hair. You can use it on both damp and dry hair.
4. Use the mist 2-3 times a week or as needed for best results.

Shelf-life

1. Refrigerated: The hair mist will last about 1 week when stored in the refrigerator. Refrigeration helps slow down the growth of bacteria and mold.
2. Room Temperature: If stored at room temperature, the hair mist should be used within 2-3 days to ensure it remains fresh and safe to use. However, storing it at room temperature is not recommended due to the risk of bacterial growth.

Storage Tips

1. Use a Clean Bottle: Ensure that the spray bottle you use is thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before filling it with the hair mist. This helps prevent contamination.
2. Keep Refrigerated: Store the hair mist in the refrigerator when not in use to extend its shelf life.
3. Shake Well Before Use: Shake the bottle well before each use to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
4. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep the hair mist away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as these can degrade the natural ingredients more quickly.
5. Label the Bottle: It's a good practice to label the bottle with the date you made the mist to keep track of its freshness.

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