Shikakai: The “Fruit for the Hair”
A Gentle Cleanser for Scalp & Shine
Shikakai (Soap Pod), Acacia concinna, often called “fruit for the hair,” comes from the dried seed pods of a small shrub native to the jungles of India. The pods, leaves, and bark are naturally rich in saponins, gentle plant compounds that cleanse without stripping, and have been used for centuries in traditional Indian hair care.
To create shikakai powder, the ripe pods are dried and finely ground. The resulting mild powder helps cleanse the scalp while preserving the hair’s natural oils.
In Ayurvedic practice, shikakai is valued for its antifungal, antimicrobial, and astringent properties, and is traditionally used to help relieve dandruff, itchiness, and scalp irritation. Its gentle cleansing action helps unclog hair follicles, supporting a healthier scalp environment—an important foundation for strong, resilient hair.
Shikakai cleanses without the harshness of synthetic detergents, while also lightly conditioning the hair. This dual action helps improve softness, manageability, body, and shine, making it a trusted ingredient for sensitive scalps and dry or easily irritated hair.
Hair Care Benefits of Shikakai
- Gentle Cleansing: Natural saponins lift dirt and excess oil without stripping the scalp or hair of protective oils.
- Dandruff & Scalp Comfort: Antifungal and antimicrobial properties help calm itchiness, flaking, and irritated scalp conditions.
- Strengthens Hair Roots: Astringent compounds help support the scalp and hair follicles, reducing breakage.
- Conditions & Detangles: Smooths the hair cuticle, improving slip, softness, and manageability.
- Adds Body & Shine: Leaves hair feeling clean yet supple, with natural bounce and luster.
How We Use Shikakai
Shikakai is a valued ingredient in our Ayurvedic Herb natural shampoo bar, where it works alongside other botanicals to support scalp health while improving lather quality.
Its naturally occurring saponins enhance cleansing efficiency and contribute to a creamy, stable lather, while its conditioning properties help hair feel soft, manageable, and balanced. Shikakai is especially helpful for those prone to dandruff, itchiness, or scalp sensitivity, where gentle cleansing truly matters.
Are Soapnuts and Shikakai the Same?
There is a lot of confusion between these two plants since they are both often called "soapberries."
While you may often find personal care companies, as well as suppliers, treating them as if they were the same plant, soapnuts and shikakai are not the same.
Soapnuts (aka aritha or reetha) are a member of the genus Sapindus in the family Sapindaceae, which consists of trees that grow in temperate and tropical regions of the world. The lychee tree is also part of this family.
Shikakai (aka soap pod), on the other hand, come from the genus Acacia, which is a climbing shrub that grows in the warm plains of central and southern India and is a member of the family Fabaceae which is the is also known as the pea or legume family. All members of the Fabaceae family have fruits that are legumes!
While these are completely different plants, both contain high levels of saponins and are traditionally used in Ayurvedic hair care. Saponins are very gentle natural surfactants that act as natural foaming and cleansing agents, making them great ingredients to include in natural shampoo bars or even natural soap.
Both of these Ayurvedic powders are often suggested to help with hair loss, dandruff, hair thinning, and irritated scalp conditions.
