'Ancient' beauty practice using just two ingredients gives 'amazing' results

Daily Mirror

02-05-2025

If you're looking to avoid hair loss naturally or want to achieve stronger hair and a healthier scalp, one 'ancient' remedy could be worth a try - and you can make it at home
For those aiming to halt hair loss or strengthen their locks and scalp naturally, an 'ancient' concoction might just do the trick. Experts suggest that applying this formula to your tresses for a fortnight could yield 'amazing' outcomes while being effortless to whip up with just two household components.
Dr Eric Berg DC took to YouTube with a fresh upload titled: "What would happen if you used rice water on your hair for two weeks." He delves into the potential changes you could observe, the reasons behind rice water's benefits for hair, and shares an easy recipe to create it at home.
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An advocate for healthy living, Dr Berg engages his audience with instructive posts across social media platforms. While he has hung up his practising gloves, his influence continues through his educational shares. Additionally, he heads Dr Berg Nutritionals and is known for his expertise in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting, reports Bristol Live.
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What's rice water and how does it elevate hair health?
This liquid treasure, extracted from soaked or boiled rice, reportedly carries nutrients that bolster the hair's well-being and visual appeal. It's associated with enhancing hair strength, fostering growth, amplifying sheen, and improving elasticity.
Despite limited scientific validation, plenty of personal accounts attest to positive effects, particularly in augmenting gloss and minimising snap and breakage.
Rice water, rich in starch, wraps around the hair shaft to reduce friction and give hair a healthier shine and smoothness. This traditional remedy boasts an abundance of amino acids and nutrients that reinforce hair strength, potentially cutting down on breakage and split ends.
Inositol, found in rice water, is praised for its ability to heighten hair elasticity, lessening susceptibility to harm. Advocates for rice water propose that scalp application may stimulate hair growth. It's suggested that rice water could aid in nurturing a balanced scalp pH, deterring dandruff.
While many people report positive effects, more scientific research is essential to grasp the full range of rice water's hair benefits. It's important to remember that individual results may vary with hair texture and condition. Excessive or extended use of rice water might also induce protein overload in some cases.
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What's Dr Berg's take on this?
"Rice water for hair is an ancient secret used in Asia for centuries," remarked the health expert. This technique hails from Heian-era Japan (794-1185 CE), where court women were celebrated for their long, lustrous locks achieved by washing with rice water.
Rice water has long been a vital component of East Asian beauty rituals. Women across China, Japan, and Korea harness its qualities to enrich their hair and scalp, confident in its moisturising, soothing effects that also boost hair shine. This ancient secret has found its way into modern virality, especially on social platforms, as its purported benefits for hair growth and general health are being rediscovered.
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Dr Berg attests to the superior benefits of fermented rice water for hair, stating: "Fermented rice water is the best rice water for your hair," and explaining: "It takes 48 hours to make probiotic rice water. Rice water contains B vitamins and amino acids essential for the hair. Fermented rice water contains pitera, a byproduct of fermentation often used in skin care. Pitera helps brighten the hair and also helps with dandruff and itchiness."
He further elaborates on its merits: "Fermented rice water contains lactic acid, which decreases dullness and frizziness. It also contains magnesium and selenium. Fermented rice water increases nitric oxide, which helps bring oxygen to the hair's root."
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Looking to craft your own rice water?
Dr Berg lays out a simple recipe: Combine two cups of organic rice with four cups of water in a bowl. Stir the rice to release its nutrients, then drain the water. Take the soaked rice, add a fresh two cups of water, and let it stand at room temperature for a couple of hours. Strain the infusion into a glass container and cover it lightly to set off the fermentation process.
He advises: "After 48 hours, cover your fermented rice water with a lid and store it in the refrigerator. The cold temperature will slow down bacterial growth. To use fermented rice water for your hair, apply it to your hair and scalp, leave it on for 20 minutes, and then rinse. Do this twice per week for hair growth and healthier hair."
He added: "Fermented rice water helps repair the hair and puts beneficial microbes back into the hair. It can also be used on your face". Another option is rice water shampoo bars, which offer a solid, eco-friendly alternative to a traditional shampoo bottle.
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What should you remember?
Before slathering your scalp with rice water, conduct a patch test on a small hair section to see its effects. Use rice water sparingly, especially with low-porosity hair or a dry scalp. Ensure you rinse your hair well post-treatment to prevent any starch build-up.
Consult a dermatologist before using rice water on your scalp if you have any concerns or scalp conditions. Choose standard rice varieties like white, brown, jasmine, wild, or organic, avoiding instant rice since its proteins are often depleted.
If you have eczema or similar skin issues, doing a patch test on a small area before applying rice water to your hair is wise. Although rice water is often promoted as a hair growth remedy, it's not a scientifically validated treatment for hair loss. It may not be the ideal solution for those dealing with this issue.
Hair loss can be a side effect of specific medications or a warning sign of an underlying health problem. It's advisable to consult your doctor if you have any concerns related to your hair.