The Shampoo Ginger Lily plant.
IF YOU have ever seen the videos of various individuals squeezing a cone-shaped red flower bud and using the gel that came out of it to wash their hair, you must have wondered if this was real or fake. This is especially true if you consider the silky smooth result this hair hack apparently has.
It begs the question, does the Shampoo Ginger Lily plant actually produce shampoo?
Verdict:
2577433
TRUE!
The Shampoo Ginger Lily plant is a perennial plant with leafy stems and a reddish-orange pine cone-shaped flower head.
Also known as the Bitter Ginger or the Pine Cone Ginger, this plant is a species from the ginger family with many medicinal and edible properties.
The Shampoo Ginger Lily can also be found in Hawaii after Polynesian settlers brought it over in the early days and gave it a local name - the awapuhi.
Botanically known as the Zingiber zerumbet, this plant native to India and other tropical countries in Southeast Asia, notably in Indonesia and Peninsular Malaysia.
The Shampoo Ginger Lily is one of Mother Nature’s finest gifts to humankind as almost every part of the plant has a different but specific key use.
The plant’s green leaves, which can grow up to 2m tall, sprout new leaves in the spring and withers away in the autumn season.
The ash of the plant’s foliage is traditionally used as a healing agent for scrapes, cuts and wounds when burned and crushed into fine powder.
The roots, alternatively known as rhizomes, are edible and have been traditionally used as medicine and flavouring powder when dried.
However, much like its name, the flavor has been noted to be bitter.
Lastly, the Bitter Ginger’s most popular and beneficial properties can be found in the head of the flower bud.
When the plant matures in the summer season, the hue of flowers will change from yellowish-green to orange-red.
During its maturation period, the Shampoo Ginger Lily generates a ginger-scented transparent nectar inside its bud.
This viscous sap is power packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can be used as a nourishing shampoo and conditioner.
To harvest the extract, one can simply squeeze the matured bud and drain the liquid into a container.
The Pine Cone Ginger’s gel will refill itself over time as long as the plant isn’t cut down and can be stored in the freezer until your next use.
To use the extract, apply a generous amount to your scalp and massage gently.
Due to its natural makeup, the nectar will not lather like a store-bought shampoo; however, it will leave your hair feeling silky smooth and your scalp clean after a thorough rinse with cold water.
If you are thinking of picking up one of these natural shampoo generators, the Bitter Ginger is fairly easy to maintain and can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Thanks to Malaysia’s tropical climate, this hardy plant will be able to thrive as it requires only five to six hours of sunlight daily and a spot in a partially-shaded area.
The Shampoo Ginger Lily’s unique properties make it a wonderful natural alternative for those who are seeking out a healthier, more sustainable hair care option.
As we continue to discover the local wonders of nature, this extraordinary botanical stands as a testament to the age-old wisdom of indigenous cultures, reminding us that the answers to our beauty and wellness needs may have been growing right in our backyards for generations.
References:
1. https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/shampoo-ginger/
2. https://www.homefortheharvest.com/shampoo-ginger-lily/
3. https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/shampoo-ginger-lily
4. https://www.planetnatural.com/shampoo-ginger-lily/
