Rice water is one of the secrets that hair aficionadas swear by. In these days where women of color are embracing their thick tresses and transitioning into “naturalistas,” you can hardly miss the tricks and tips they adopt to make their hair grow longer and fuller. From time immemorial, Asian women–especially those of Japanese descent– have attributed their “Rapunzel-like” hair to this starchy solution. Rice water has been so effective for the women of Huangluo Yao Village in China, that they snagged the title of being The Long Hair Village by the Guinness Book of World Records. The milky-colored water is their revered potion for hair growth, that the women of this region swear by. The big question is; will rice water grow your hair?

Components Of Rice Water

Rice water has an abundance of nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, and minerals. The natural brew contains inositol which serves as a protective barrier against damages. Also, the vitamins found in the mixture are vitamins B, C, and E which provide a ton of benefits to the human body such as the improvement of cell health, the growth of red blood cells, as well as the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. Additionally, the chalky solution from washed rice is rich in amino acids–the building blocks of protein. You will recall that our hair is made of a protein called keratin, therefore this amino acids are super beneficial. Finally, the amino acids aid in strengthening the roots of the hair, thus boosting its volume and improving its shine.

Why Should You Try Rice Water?

One of the reasons why natural hair enthusiasts are falling deeply in love with the water gotten from your favorite carbohydrate meal is because it is natural, safe, and easy to make. If you are looking for reasons to try out natural water, here are a few of them:
• Stimulates hair growth
• Prevents splitting of hair
• Strengthens the root of your hair
• Fights dandruff
• Keeps hair silky and shiny
• Eliminates lice
• Can serve as a hair conditioner

Types Of Rice Water

Before you jump into preparing this natural tonic for your hair, you should find out which type is best for you. Basically, there are three ways of making this tonic.

Boiling

This type is derived from boiling the rice. The excess water you get after you cook it can be applied to your scalp for nourishment and hair conditioning benefits.

Fermentation

When you pour water into a measurement of rice and allow it to ferment for a while, you can apply on your hair for growth. This hair growth liquid is the most frequently used type because it has a lower pH than the plain form. Also, it contains a nutrient-rich substance known as Pitera that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and organic acids.

Washing

This is easy to prepare. Simply soak the rice in water, wash properly to get the starch and use right away.

By now, we know you are eager to see what wonders rice water can perform for your hair and scalp. Well before you rush into that, we must inform you that rice water does not have the most pleasant fragrance. Also, it may not work for everyone. However, women from across the world swear by it, so it would not hurt to try it out. Sounds pretty good to me.

Featured image: jadeyasm | Instagram