Get healthy and shiny hair with rice water – nature's secret hair cure

 Rice (Rice) is an ingredient that is popular in many cuisines around the world. The Italians use it to make risotto, the Chinese use it as a side dish for many of their dishes and fried rice. In many countries on the African continent, rice is used as a side dish for delicious sauces. And here in Denmark, rice is increasingly prominent in our dishes.

Did you know that you can also use rice for something other than eating it? Rice is full of nutrients. The water you wash rice in before you cook it, for example, is actually full of nutrients that are unique to your hair. The next time you clean your rice really well, you can save the water you clean it in and put it in your hair. Further down in this article, I will tell you how to make rice water in your kitchen and start giving your hair lots of vitamins. Asian women have known and used this beauty secret for centuries.

What nutrients does rice contain?

Rice grains contain many nutrients. When rice is soaked in water, nutrients are released into the water. You can use the liquid to cleanse your hair. Rice water contains antioxidants such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds, vitamin B6, vitamin E, carbohydrates, amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, and which also help form and repair hair.

Amino acids in rice water are really beneficial for hair. Here are some benefits of amino acids:

• Strengthens hair strands
  
  

• Promotes hair growth
  
  

• Improves moisture and shine
  
  

• Repairs damaged hair
  
  

• Balances the scalp
  
  

Rice water is not only beneficial for your hair. You can also use rice water to care for your skin. For centuries in India, Japan and Korea, people have used rice water to care for their skin.

What kind of rice should I choose?

I have tried two types of rice myself, namely basmati and jasmine. I have found that jasmine rice has a much better effect on the hair than basmati. When I used rice water from basmati, I could actually not notice any difference in my hair. Therefore, I recommend that you choose jasmine rice when making rice water for your hair. 

How do you make rice water?

Making rice water is really simple. It's basically about using the water you've rinsed rice in to cook the rice. Below you'll find the steps on how to do it.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice: You can use white or brown rice
1 cup water

Procedure:

• First, rinse the rice thoroughly in water for about a minute.
  
  

• Leave the rice and water in a bowl and let it sit for several hours or longer.
  
  

• Remove the rice and keep the water remaining in the bowl.
  
  

• Pour the rice water into a bottle and let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. This allows fermentation, where beneficial microorganisms develop in the water.
  
  

• Once fermented, place the jar in the refrigerator. It is best to use it within about a week.
  
  

If you don't have time to let the rice water sit for 12-24 hours, you can also just clean the rice thoroughly, remove it, and use the water right away. There are still many nutrients in the water, just not to the same extent as if you let it sit for several hours. When I don't have time myself, I make my rice water like this so I can use it a few minutes later. I also find that my hair becomes soft and delicious.

How do you use rice water on your hair?

There are several ways you can use rice water on your hair:

• Hair mask: Massage rice water into your hair, wait 20 minutes, then rinse your hair.
  
  

• Hair conditioner: Rinse your hair with rice water after washing it with shampoo.
  
  

• Hairspray: You can also simply spray rice water into your hair to provide moisture and nourishment.
  
  

How often should I use rice water on my hair?

If you want to see quick results from rice water on your hair, you should probably use rice water several times a week. I recommend 2-3 times a week.