Do you know about this fantastic plant that is a strong competitor to the Aloe Vera plant? Its scientific name is Zingiber zerumbet, also known as Shampoo Ginger Lily. Yes, it’s fairly literal in the sense that the name of the plant sums up what it looks like and what it does. Shampoo Ginger Lily’s Gel is as fantastic as Aloe Vera Gel for the hair. But more on that later. Let’s discuss the characteristics of the plant briefly.
What is Shampoo Ginger Lily?
Shampoo Ginger Lily was traditionally used to treat toothaches, ringworm, headaches, other skin ailments, and digestive problems. It is primarily studied for its therapeutic characteristics. But do you know that it can be used as a natural shampoo for hair fall?
Shampoo Ginger Lily was originally from India, but Polynesian settlers brought it to Hawaii where it has since become highly popular. Awapuhi Kuahiwi, Red Pinecone Ginger, Bitter Ginger, and Avanti in Hindi are some of their other names. This belongs to the family of ginger plants, the Zingiberaceae (turmeric too). They do have many of the same antioxidant benefits and applications, although bitter ginger is far more bitter.
The Shampoo Ginger Lily can reach a height of 3 to 5 feet and produces foliage that bears tuberous fruits It has a beautiful aesthetic appeal thanks to its blossoms that resemble red pine cones (a fantastic reason to grow it in your garden). Each immature green flower features overlapping scale-like petals that surround tiny inflorescences of yellowish-white blossoms. The hue of the flowers changes from green to orange-red as the flower stalks get older. When that happens, the gel develops inside.
Shampoo Ginger Lily emanates a sweet fragrant smell that lasts a while. It is a soothing pleasant smell that is calming.
Uses of Shampoo Ginger Lily
Every part of Shampoo Ginger Lily can be used.
Rhizomes from the plant are edible and can be utilized in the same manner as ginger, albeit more bitter. They are also employed medicinally to treat digestive disorders like diarrhea and intestinal worms.
Additionally, they can be dried to make fragrant powders.
Rhizome extracts are processed to create essential oils for cosmetic applications.
The leaves are employed to enhance the flavor of meat, meat-based, and vegetable recipes.
The plant is attractive enough to serve as a stunning centerpiece, and its blossoms can be used to create bouquets.
In addition to being used in shampoo, the liquid is also used to wash and condition hair.
How to grow Shampoo Ginger Lily?
It doesn’t take much effort for the plant to grow either. Shampoo Ginger Lily can be cultivated both inside and outside. Simply provide it with plenty of sunshine and water it once or twice a week. Make sure the soil is airy and moist because this encourages the circulation of nutrients.
The majority of the time, they are dormant in the winter and flush in the summer. They develop in another 10 months or more. In some time the flowers also grow. When the pinecone-shaped inflorescence is pressed, a milky-white, clear fluid is created that can be used as shampoo or hair conditioner.
Furthermore, it even refills itself after a time, so you don’t have to be concerned about harming the plant when removing its liquids.
How to Extract and Use Shampoo Ginger Lily?
It’s not that difficult.
First Be patient; it will take some time for the flower to change from green to deep red. When they do, squeeze the liquid from the inflorescences.
You’ll get a clear fluid with small dusty particles. which are nothing but parts of the flower. After all, it attracts ants and bees due to the nectar in it. You can either use it as such or strain the liquid to get rid of the particles.
Shampoo Ginger Lily has a soap feel to it but it does not lather at all. Yet, it cleans the hair well leaving it soft and nourished.
The shampoo stays good for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. You can put that liquid in a glass jar and store it. It could be frozen for long-term storage.
You can apply it to your hair without washing it out similarly to how you would Aloe Vera Gel. But make sure you are not prone to colds as it tends to give a cooling sensation on the scalp upon application.
It also works wonders on colored hair, extending the color’s life.
Benefits Of Shampoo Ginger Lily For Hair
Why you should use shampoo ginger lily for hair? Simply because it has numerous benefits.
First, it is effective on all hair types. In addition to adding shine and softness, it also fixes any possible hair damage.
Additionally, it increases hydration and lessens frizz. Even better, it enhances volume and promotes hair development.
Finally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to keep dandruff at bay, all while nourishing the scalp.
It goes without saying that this plant has uses beyond aesthetics and will add a chic vibe to your home. So go out and get a Shampoo Ginger Lily plant right away!
Article Sources
Adriana Y. Koga, Flávio L. Beltrame, Airton V. Pereira, Several aspects of Zingiber zerumbet: a review, Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, Volume 26, Issue 3, 2016, Pages 385-391, ISSN 0102-695X,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2016.01.006.
Yob NJ, Jofrry SM, Affandi MM, Teh LK, Salleh MZ, Zakaria ZA. Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith: A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal, Chemical, and Pharmacological Uses. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:543216. doi: 10.1155/2011/543216. Epub 2011 Mar 22. Erratum in: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:8621824. PMID: 21584247; PMCID: PMC3092606.
Sejal Jain is a passionate beauty content creator at TheBeautyInsideout. She believes that skincare is not just a superficial thing but more like an expression of self-love and respect for your body and yourself.
