Women in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia have used rice water as a hair treatment for centuries. But does rice water really help to grow your hair?
Rice water is the starchy water left over after rice left to soak. It is thought to make the hair smooth and shiny, as well as help it grow faster.
What About Black Rice Water?
Black Rice also called “forbidden rice” has 18 amino acids, minerals and vitamins like copper, iron, zinc and carotene. it contains biotin and has a higher vitamin e and protein than white or brown rice which helps with hair growth.
Fermented rice water has been used for ages. The Yao ethnic women from the village of Huangluo in China is a testament to this tradition. With their average hair length of about 6 feet, these women made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s longest hair village”. Plus these women do not have grey hair till the late 80s. The Yao women believe that the fermented rice water, which they use to cleanse their hair, is what helps to keeps their hair long, dark and clean. Rice water enables these women to de-tangle and manage their long hair.
Rice water is thought to contain many of the vitamins and minerals contained in rice. These include:
- amino acids
- B vitamins
- vitamin E
- minerals
- antioxidants
Advocates of using rice water for hair believe it:
- detangles the hair
- makes hair smoother
- increases shine
- makes hair stronger
- helps hair grow long
No Boil Method
Ingredients
- ½ cup of clean raw rice
- 2-3 cups of water
- 3-7 drops of an essential oil
Method
- Place clean rice in container and add water.
- Swirl it using a spoon in a round motion.
- Leave it to sit for 30 minutes in room temperature, the longer the better so that all nutrients are obtained from the rice.
- Strain the rice water and add 3 drops of an essential oil
- Rinse your hair with the rice water
Fermentation Method
Ingredients
- ½ cup of clean raw rice
- 2-3 cups of water
- 3-7 drops of an essential oil
Method
- Place clean rice in a container and add water.
- Swirl it using a spoon in a round motion.
- Cover and leave the rice water to sit in room temperature for 1-2 days.
- Strain the rice water and add 3-7 drops of an essential oil.
- Rinse your hair with the rice water.
- Store the fermented rice water in the fridge to stop further fermentation.
Whilst fermented rice water is more beneficial than plain rice water, the challenge that comes with fermentation is the bad smell. The recipe above includes an essential oil, this will help in making the rice water smell better.
Boil Method
Ingredients
- ½ cup of clean raw rice
- 2-3 cups of water
- 3-7 drops of an essential oil
Method
- Boil water as you normally cook rice
- Add twice the amount of water as you normally measure.
- When the rice nearly cooked, strain the water out and let it cool under room temperature
- Add 3 drops of an essential oil
- Rinse your hair with the rice water
Use rice water for detangling hair
When applied to hair, rice water instantly conditions the hair making it soft and easy to detangle. Rice water smoothens the cuticles and reduces surface friction which prevents the strands from tangling.
- Use your preferred preparation method (from the list above) to prepare your rice water
- Spray your hair with warm water to make it damp not wet.
- Using a spray bottle, apply the rice water generously to your hair until you starts feeling the softness. (if you don’t have a spray bottle, slowly pour the rice water on your hair using a jar, contain the overflow by using a basin. You can reuse the overflow during the same session)
- Leave the rice water in for about 5 minutes and then proceed to gently finger detangle your hair.
- Rinse your hair and proceed with your hair care routine.
Hair Rinse/Conditioner
- One of the most popular ways the natural hair community is using rice water is as a hair rinse. This is achieved by using the rice water to rinse your hair after shampooing. Leave the rice in for about 10 minutes and then rinse off with plain water. For a more pleasant smell, add an essential oil to your rice water.
Please Remember, It is extremely important to manage your expectations on using rice water. We all react differently to rice water. Just because you saw a Youtuber claim that their hair grew 4 inches in a week after using rice water, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the same for you.
You will need to learn how your hair behaves when you use rice water, determine how long and how long often to use this natural remedy and most importantly, be patient on your journey!
Women in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia have used rice water as a hair treatment for centuries. But does rice water really help to grow your hair?
Rice water is the starchy water left over after rice left to soak. It is thought to make the hair smooth and shiny, as well as help it grow faster.
What About Black Rice Water?
Black Rice also called “forbidden rice” has 18 amino acids, minerals and vitamins like copper, iron, zinc and carotene. it contains biotin and has a higher vitamin e and protein than white or brown rice which helps with hair growth.
Fermented rice water has been used for ages. The Yao ethnic women from the village of Huangluo in China is a testament to this tradition. With their average hair length of about 6 feet, these women made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s longest hair village”. Plus these women do not have grey hair till the late 80s. The Yao women believe that the fermented rice water, which they use to cleanse their hair, is what helps to keeps their hair long, dark and clean. Rice water enables these women to de-tangle and manage their long hair.
Rice water is thought to contain many of the vitamins and minerals contained in rice. These include:
- amino acids
- B vitamins
- vitamin E
- minerals
- antioxidants
Advocates of using rice water for hair believe it:
- detangles the hair
- makes hair smoother
- increases shine
- makes hair stronger
- helps hair grow long
No Boil Method
Ingredients
- ½ cup of clean raw rice
- 2-3 cups of water
- 3-7 drops of an essential oil
Method
- Place clean rice in container and add water.
- Swirl it using a spoon in a round motion.
- Leave it to sit for 30 minutes in room temperature, the longer the better so that all nutrients are obtained from the rice.
- Strain the rice water and add 3 drops of an essential oil
- Rinse your hair with the rice water
Fermentation Method
Ingredients
- ½ cup of clean raw rice
- 2-3 cups of water
- 3-7 drops of an essential oil
Method
- Place clean rice in a container and add water.
- Swirl it using a spoon in a round motion.
- Cover and leave the rice water to sit in room temperature for 1-2 days.
- Strain the rice water and add 3-7 drops of an essential oil.
- Rinse your hair with the rice water.
- Store the fermented rice water in the fridge to stop further fermentation.
Whilst fermented rice water is more beneficial than plain rice water, the challenge that comes with fermentation is the bad smell. The recipe above includes an essential oil, this will help in making the rice water smell better.
Boil Method
Ingredients
- ½ cup of clean raw rice
- 2-3 cups of water
- 3-7 drops of an essential oil
Method
- Boil water as you normally cook rice
- Add twice the amount of water as you normally measure.
- When the rice nearly cooked, strain the water out and let it cool under room temperature
- Add 3 drops of an essential oil
- Rinse your hair with the rice water
Use rice water for detangling hair
When applied to hair, rice water instantly conditions the hair making it soft and easy to detangle. Rice water smoothens the cuticles and reduces surface friction which prevents the strands from tangling.
- Use your preferred preparation method (from the list above) to prepare your rice water
- Spray your hair with warm water to make it damp not wet.
- Using a spray bottle, apply the rice water generously to your hair until you starts feeling the softness. (if you don’t have a spray bottle, slowly pour the rice water on your hair using a jar, contain the overflow by using a basin. You can reuse the overflow during the same session)
- Leave the rice water in for about 5 minutes and then proceed to gently finger detangle your hair.
- Rinse your hair and proceed with your hair care routine.
Hair Rinse/Conditioner
- One of the most popular ways the natural hair community is using rice water is as a hair rinse. This is achieved by using the rice water to rinse your hair after shampooing. Leave the rice in for about 10 minutes and then rinse off with plain water. For a more pleasant smell, add an essential oil to your rice water.
Please Remember, It is extremely important to manage your expectations on using rice water. We all react differently to rice water. Just because you saw a Youtuber claim that their hair grew 4 inches in a week after using rice water, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the same for you.
You will need to learn how your hair behaves when you use rice water, determine how long and how long often to use this natural remedy and most importantly, be patient on your journey!