Short answer: To make shampoo with amla, reetha, shikakai and hibiscus powder, mix 1 tablespoon each of reetha, shikakai and amla with 1 teaspoon of hibiscus in about 1 cup of warm water. Let it stand for 10 minutes, massage it into wet hair and rinse well. Use it once or twice a week in place of shampoo.
Key takeaways
- Start with 1 : 1 : 1 of reetha, shikakai and amla plus 1 teaspoon of hibiscus, then adjust one powder at a time.
- For an oily scalp use 2 parts reetha; for dry or frizzy hair use 2 parts shikakai and more hibiscus.
- The overnight liquid version rinses out more easily than the quick paste.
- Use the mixed shampoo the same day; it does not keep once water is added.
- Caution: keep it out of your eyes, patch test first, and expect less foam than a sulphate shampoo.
What do I need to make herbal shampoo at home?
You need reetha, shikakai, amla and hibiscus powders, warm water, a bowl and a fine sieve for the liquid version. If you would like the three cleansing powders ready, our Amla Reetha Shikakai Powder Combo comes as three separate pouches so you can change the ratio, and hibiscus is added by the spoon.
Amla Reetha Shikakai Powder Combo
300 gm (3 × 100 gm) · ₹855
Three single-herb pouches, so you can adjust the ratio.
Not for you if you want a ready, foaming shampoo. A bottled wash will suit you better.
Honest note: if your scalp is very sensitive or you have a scalp condition, ask your doctor first, and note that this wash lathers gently and will not feel like a sulphate shampoo.
What is the ratio of amla, reetha and shikakai for shampoo?
Most traditional recipes start with equal parts, 1 : 1 : 1. From there, change one powder at a time for your hair type:
| Hair type | Reetha : Shikakai : Amla | Hibiscus |
|---|---|---|
| Oily scalp | 2 : 1 : 1 | 1 tsp |
| Normal | 1 : 1 : 1 | 1 tsp |
| Dry, frizzy or curly | 1 : 2 : 1 | 1 tbsp |
| Long, tangle-prone hair | 1 : 1 : 1 | 1 tbsp |
These are starting points, not fixed rules. Because each GraceYes powder is a single herb, you can adjust until your hair feels right. For the three-powder version without hibiscus, see our guide to using amla, reetha and shikakai for hair wash.
What does each powder do?
| Powder | Its job in the shampoo |
|---|---|
| Reetha (soapnut) | The main cleanser. Its natural saponins lather and lift dirt and oil. |
| Shikakai | A milder saponin cleanser that softens the wash, so hair feels less squeaky. |
| Amla | Adds shine and smoothness. A classical Indian hair herb, rich in vitamin C and tannins. |
| Hibiscus | Conditions. Its natural mucilage turns gel-like in water and gives slip, so hair tangles less. |
Reetha and shikakai clean; amla and hibiscus balance the feel. Leave out the cleansers and you have a hair mask, not a shampoo.
How to make shampoo with amla, reetha, shikakai and hibiscus powder
Quick paste (10 minutes)
- Put the powders in a bowl and stir in warm water a little at a time. Add it slowly, because hibiscus thickens as it sits.
- Aim for a pourable, runny paste, thinner than a hair mask.
- Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes so the powders soften.
Liquid shampoo (overnight)
- Soak the reetha, shikakai and amla in water overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
- Next morning, simmer gently for about 10 minutes, then let it cool.
- Stir in the hibiscus, wait 10 minutes, and strain through a fine cloth or sieve.
The liquid rinses out more easily because no powder is left in the hair. The paste is quicker and uses the whole herb.
How much for your hair length
- Short hair: 2 tsp each of reetha, shikakai and amla, plus a pinch to 1 tsp of hibiscus, in about ¾ cup of water.
- Shoulder length: 1 tbsp each, plus 1 tsp hibiscus, in about 1 cup.
- Long or thick hair: 1½ to 2 tbsp each, plus 1 tbsp hibiscus, in about 1½ cups.
How to use amla reetha shikakai hibiscus powder for hair wash
- Oil first (optional). Massage coconut oil or a herbal hair oil into the scalp an hour before washing.
- Wet your hair well. The mix spreads far better on soaked hair.
- Apply to the scalp in sections and massage gently with your fingertips for 2 to 3 minutes, then work the rest down the lengths.
- Leave it on for 5 to 20 minutes. Keep it away from your eyes, because saponins sting.
- Rinse for longer than you think you need, until the water runs clear and no grit is left.
Use it once or twice a week, in place of shampoo.
Can I add bhringraj or rosemary powder?
Yes. Both are common additions:
- Bhringraj: add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon. It is the classical Indian hair herb, listed as Keshya (good for hair) in the official Indian herbal pharmacopoeia (API), and it is traditionally used in hair-fall routines. It can darken light hair slightly.
- Rosemary: add 1 teaspoon for a fresh, herbal scalp rinse. Note that the well-known human study on rosemary and hair used diluted rosemary oil, not the powder; see how to mix rosemary oil with coconut, castor or mustard oil.
Add one new herb at a time, so you can tell what suits your hair.
What are the benefits of amla reetha shikakai shampoo?
- No sulphates. The lather comes from plant saponins, which clean gently without stripping the scalp the way strong sulphate shampoos can.
- Softer hair. Shikakai and hibiscus leave hair soft rather than squeaky.
- Shine. Amla's tannins smooth the hair surface.
- You choose what goes in. No fragrance, colour or preservative, and you can adjust the ratio.
Is hibiscus powder good for hair?
Hibiscus is traditionally used in Indian hair care for softness and shine, and its mucilage gives real slip, which makes dry or curly hair easier to comb. Studies on hibiscus and hair growth have so far been in animals, so treat it as a conditioner rather than a hair-growth treatment. It can leave a faint, temporary reddish tint on very light or grey hair and on towels. It is not a dye and it washes out.
Shop the routine
Add only the steps you need. Each button adds one item to your bag.
Step 1, the night before
Hair Oil · 100 ml · ₹435
Oil the scalp about an hour before washing, or overnight
Step 2, wash day
Amla Reetha Shikakai Powder Combo · 300 gm (3 × 100 gm) · ₹855
The three cleansing powders; add hibiscus by the spoon
Step 3, once a week
Hair Mask · 200 ml · ₹660
A conditioning treatment for the lengths after washing
Mistakes to avoid
- Making it too thick. A thick paste is hard to rinse and leaves grit. Thin it down.
- Storing the mixed shampoo. Once water is added, use it the same day. The dry powders keep well; the wet mix does not.
- Expecting heavy foam. Plant saponins lather gently. Less foam does not mean less clean.
- Giving up after one wash. Hair used to sulphate shampoo can feel different for the first few washes: soft rather than squeaky. That settles.
Frequently asked
Should hibiscus go in the shampoo or be used as a mask?
Either works. A teaspoon in the shampoo adds slip. For more conditioning, mix 2 to 3 spoons of hibiscus with water, yoghurt or warm oil, leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before washing, then wash with the reetha, shikakai and amla mix.
Is it suitable for colour-treated hair?
Reetha and shikakai are gentle, sulphate-free cleansers, but test on one section first, as with any new product.
Can children use it?
Saponins sting the eyes, and children find it harder to keep their eyes shut through a rinse. If you use it on a child, make it a very thin liquid, keep it well away from the face, and rinse carefully.
Does it help with hair fall?
A gentle, sulphate-free wash is kind to the scalp, but hair fall has many causes, including iron levels, thyroid problems and hormonal changes after pregnancy. If your hair fall is sudden or heavy, please see a doctor.
Can I use it every day?
We suggest once or twice a week. Daily washing with any strong cleanser can leave hair feeling dry, so see how your hair responds.
Do I need a conditioner after?
Hibiscus gives some slip, so many people skip it. If your hair still feels dry, use a light oil or a hair mask on the lengths only.
Can men use it?
Yes. The same ratios work for short hair; use the short-hair amounts in the table above.
Safety and patch test
Before the first wash, mix a little of the paste, dab it behind the ear or on the inner arm, and wait 24 hours. Stop if you notice redness, itching or burning. Keep it away from the eyes. This article is for cosmetic use only. If you have a scalp condition, are pregnant, or are using this on a child, check with your doctor.
Should I buy all four powders in one set?
Our Amla Reetha Shikakai Hibiscus Powder Combo brings the four single-herb pouches together, 5% below buying them separately. Prefer the classic three? The Amla Reetha Shikakai Powder Combo leaves out the hibiscus.
Recap: equal parts reetha, shikakai and amla, a spoon of hibiscus, warm water, and a long rinse. You can also look through our full range.
Our motto: to make the cleanest beauty products
Want all four herbs in one order? The combo has amla, reetha, shikakai and hibiscus in separate pouches, so you can set your own ratio.
Add to cart · ₹1,624 →Amla Reetha Shikakai Hibiscus Powder Combo, 400 gm (4 × 100 gm); hibiscus can tint very light hair. See what is inside
Sources: preparation methods follow traditional Indian home recipes (equal parts reetha, shikakai and amla; an overnight soak and a 10-minute simmer). Soapnut saponins as natural surfactants: review, PubMed 36145756. Shikakai as a saponin cleanser: review, PubMed 38034771. Hibiscus and hair growth in animal studies: PubMed 12963149. Rosemary oil human trial: PubMed 25842469.
More from the Journal: the same guide in Hindi (आंवला रीठा शिकाकाई से बाल कैसे धोएं).