Did you know that using rice water for hair traces its roots to ancient Japan and China?

Women often used rice water regularly to promote a gorgeous mane of tresses.

As we all want that gorgeous mane of tresses, it is no surprise that rice water has slowly become a hair care staple when it comes to promoting healthy locks. Because well, all of us do love to run our fingers through healthy hair!

All you need is rice and water!

Rice water contains inositol and is rich in Vitamins B and C that helps to repair your hair.

Apart from this, rice water contains ingredients that include potassium, proteins, starch, zinc and manganese.

You should use rice water at least once a week.

Since rice water is known to contain proteins, using rice water often can cause a protein overload that can leave your hair brittle and dry.

Here is how to make your own rice water at home. Once you make it, ensure that you store in a fridge and use within a week for effective results.

1. Take a cup of raw/uncooked rice and rinse it under running water till the water is absolutely clear.

2. Drain the excess water and transfer the rice into a glass bowl.

3. Add two to three cups of distilled water and let the rice soak in it for at least 8 hours.

4. Drain the rice water into a bottle, seal store this water in the fridge.

There are two ways to use the rice water:

1. Take your regular shampoo in a glass bowl and add some rice water to it.

Wet your hair and section it.

Start with applying this mixture from the scalp to the ends of the hair.

Massage your scalp for a bit.

Let it stay for a few minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. Follow up with a conditioner.

2. Use it as a final rinse.

Once you have shampooed and conditioned your hair, take a mug of the rice water and slowly pour over your ensuring it completely covers the scalp and hair ends.

Use a shower cap and let the rice water stay in your hair for 5 minutes.

Give it a final rinse with lukewarm water till the water runs clear.

Here are some proven benefits of using rice water for your hair.

• Helps promote healthy hair

Packed with amino acids, rice water when used once a week in your hair care regime can help to reduce hair-fall. It helps in the regeneration process of the hair.

Rice water also contains vitamins that gives your tresses more volume and a fuller look.

Rice water contains carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins that keeps your scalp and hair follicles healthy.

• Helps protect damaged hair

If you use styling tools or chemical treatments on your hair, rice water can help to lessen the damage caused by them.

When you use rice water for your hair, it helps to improve your hair quality making it soft to the touch. But remember, overusing rice water can cause damage to your hair.

Rice water contains inositol that acts a barrier and protects your hair from further damage. However, it is advisable that you don’t opt for hot styling tools and chemical treatments so that your hair doesn’t undergo excess damage.

• Helps detangle your hair

Got a curly mane that is difficult to manage? Tame those curls with a rice water rinse! After you have shampooed and conditioned your hair, use rice water as a final rinse to make your curls softer and easy to manage.

Curly hair often results in tangles that can cause hair loss. Rice water helps to detangle your hair and give you softer and manageable hair.

• Helps combat dandruff

Rice water is known to have anti-fungal properties that can help soothe an itchy scalp. Add two drops of tea tree essential oil to the rice water when you are rinsing your hair.

The tea tree essential oil with its anti-bacterial properties will help cleanse your scalp efficiently and reduce the intensity of dandruff.

Keep in mind that this is a natural remedy to promote healthy and shiny hair. Over use of rice water can cause damage to your hair than fix it.

(Pratibha Pal spent her childhood in idyllic places only fauji kids would have heard of. She grew up reading a variety of books that let her imagination wander and still hopes to come across the Magic Faraway Tree.You can view her blog at www.pratsmusings.com or reach to her on Twitter at @myepica.)