Healthy Hair Ingredient | Boiling Water/Fermented Method Rice Water Rinse, Take 1

Rice Water Rinse For Natural Hair Growth

Next time you boil rice, think twice before throwing the water away. Rice water is rich in beauty minerals and vitamins to beautify the hair, face and skin. I know right! RICE WATER?!?!?! Never heard of this and just happen to stumble upon this!


And definitely another DIY I will try for my own hair!

Let's check it out?!

What and Why Rice Water?

Rice water is the water that is leftover after washing off rice, before actually using the water to boil the rice. It contains nutrients that can strengthen the hair and even renew the skin when used as a facial wash or hair rinse. This is the most natural way to tone and strengthen the hair!

I thought this information was pretty interesting - From CurlyNikki: 

"Rice water has amazing hair and skin benefits. A recent research has shown that rice water exhibit hair care effects, such as decreasing surface friction and improving hair elasticity. Rice water has inositol, a carbohydrate, that can repair damaged hair, as well as protect it from damage. Specialized imaging technique shows that inositol stays inside the hair even after rinsing, offering continuing hair protection and beautifying effects.

So, Rinsing or washing your hair with rice water will improve manageability and protect it from future damage. In addition, the amino acids in the rice water strengthen the hair roots, add volume and sheen and make hair silky smooth." - HairBuddha

So I'm definitely all in for using rice water for my hair!! Because my hair is fine, it tends to break easily and to contract damage from everywhere and anywhere. So along with my henna treatments (every 3-6 months), I would like to use rice water to aid in the strengthening aspect as well.

So let's try it!

Ingredients

1/2 cup rice (rinsed thoroughly)
2.5 - 3 cups water
lavender essential oil - 5 drops
peppermint essential oil - 5 drops

Rice Water Rinse For Natural Hair Growth

Make Rice Water - Boiled Water/Fermented Method

Fermented rice water is especially good for hair because of the pH change that occurs to the water during this process (the process brings the rice water’s pH more closely in line with hair’s natural pH, and causes the release of a chemical called pitera - anti-aging elixir due to its ability to promote cell regeneration, Hair Buddha - that may promote the regeneration of cells).

1. Rinse the rice with about a cup of water to remove any dirt or impurities
2. Add rice to boiling water and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Swirl throughout until the water looks a little cloudy/murky
3. Strain the rice into a clean bowl. Place the water in a clean mason jar. The leftover water will be a vivid white color, and will contain a high concentration of nutrients.
4. Allow the rice water to sit at room temperature for one or two days (in warmer climates, the fermentation process will take less time).
5. When a slightly sour smell arises from the rice water, stop the fermentation process. To stop the fermenting process, place in the refrigerator to cool down.

Rice Water Rinse For Natural Hair Growth

According to Nature Helps Me:

"After that most people advice to boil the liquid in order to stop fermentation process (most of them write about this tip on their websites). It is a huge mistake. Fermented rice water contains enough useful nutrients and once you boil this liquid – you will get plain water in which all vitamins are gone. It is the same as if you decide to drink beer but boil it beforehand."

Don’t use it at full strength!! Dilute with 3-4 cups of water, making a barely milky-looking mixture. After the rice water has cooled, it is ready for use. You can add a few drops of essential oil or use alone.

How To Use Rice Water For Hair

On freshly washed hair, add the rice water to your hair and scalp. Let it sit for a 2-5 minutes and rinse out. This is used as your finishing rinse (like oil rinsing). I will use rice water as my final hair rinse, as if I were rinsing and closing my hair cuticles with cool water:

Pre-Poo - Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner
Clarify - ALAFFIA Authentic African Black Soap-Lavender Ylang Ylang

Protein - Henna Gloss With Coconut Milk 

Deep conditioning - Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Masque

Hair Rinse - Fermented Rice Water

And here you go!

Things To Remember:

• Rice water rinse should not be used more than once a week.
• You should prepare it fresh each time you need to use it.

Rice Water Rinse For
Natural Hair Growth

For more information, check out:

Nature Helps Me: Fermented Rice Water Shampoo for Great Hair  
Hair Buddha: Rice Water For Gorgeous Hair And Flawless Skin 
Beauty K Love: DIY Rice Water For Repairing Damaged Hair And Get Silky Hair 
Curly Nikki: Rice Water Rinse for Natural Hair Growth  
Black Naps: How to Do a Fermented Rice Water Rinse for Stronger and Softer Hair



Natural hair says: Use rice water as hair mask to get that long silky shiny hair. You can adjust potency of the rice water by adding more water if your hair is oily. Be patient, it may take a few tries to get the perfect potency for your hair type! Some people prefer to use the treatment before shampooing, so don’t be afraid to switch it up a little!

Always Desire Your Natural,

Christina J