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How to Use Brahmi Powder for Hair: Masks, Oil and Tips
Brahmi is a small, creeping plant that grows in wet, marshy ground across India. In Ayurveda, the name usually refers to Bacopa monnieri, and its dried, ground leaves have long been part of traditional Indian hair care. Brahmi oil in particular is a classic Indian hair oil. Here's how to use brahmi powder for hair at home.
Before you start
- Patch test: apply a little of the mixed paste to the inside of your elbow 48 hours before using it on your scalp or face, and don't use it if you notice any irritation.
- Keep it away from your eyes, and don't use it on broken or sore skin.
- Brahmi powder is green and can leave a slight tint on very light or bleached hair, so try a small hidden section first.
1. Simple brahmi hair mask
- Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of brahmi powder with warm water or plain yoghurt to a smooth, spreadable paste.
- Apply to damp hair and scalp, working it through to the ends.
- Cover with a shower cap and leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, then shampoo and condition as usual.
2. Homemade brahmi oil
- Gently warm 100 ml of coconut or sesame oil with 2 tablespoons of brahmi powder over a very low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Don't let it bubble.
- Take off the heat and leave to infuse until completely cool.
- Strain through a fine cloth or coffee filter into a clean, dry bottle.
- Use within a few weeks.
3. Brahmi scalp massage
Warm a little brahmi oil between your palms and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips for a few minutes, then smooth the rest through your lengths. Leave for an hour, or overnight with a towel on your pillow, and wash out with shampoo. Many people make this a weekly ritual.
4. Ayurvedic hair paste with amla and bhringraj
Mix equal parts brahmi, amla and bhringraj powder with warm water to a smooth paste. Apply to hair and scalp, leave for 20 to 30 minutes and rinse well. You can also add hibiscus for a reddish tone.
Tips
- Mix the powder with liquid gradually to avoid lumps.
- Rinse twice to remove any grainy bits.
- Most people use a brahmi mask or oil once a week.
- Keep the powder sealed in a cool, dry place.
Shop our Organic Brahmi Powder, see how to use hibiscus powder for hair, or read more hair and beauty guides.
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Ayurvedic Face Masks: 6 Herbal Powders to Try
Herbal face masks have been part of Indian beauty rituals for generations. Many are made from simple dried powders mixed with water, rose water, yoghurt or honey, and they're easy to make at home. Here are six traditional powders to try, with a simple recipe for each.
Please note: these masks are simple, homemade face masks for pampering. They are not skin-lightening products, and we don't recommend using any ingredient to lighten your skin.
Before you start
- Patch test: apply a little of the mixed mask to the inside of your elbow and wait 48 hours before using it on your face.
- Keep masks away from your eyes and lips, and don't use them on broken or sore skin.
- Rinse off with lukewarm water and follow with a moisturiser.
- Mix only what you need, and use a mask once or twice a week.
1. Rose petal powder
Made from dried, ground rose petals, with a soft floral scent. Try: mix 1 tablespoon with rose water or plain yoghurt to a smooth paste, apply for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse. Shop rose petal powder
2. Neem powder
Made from the dried leaves of the neem tree, with a strong, herbal smell. Try: mix 1 teaspoon with rose petal powder and water, apply for 10 minutes and rinse. Shop neem powder
3. Turmeric powder
The golden spice, used in Indian bridal face masks known as ubtan. Try: mix a pinch with gram flour and yoghurt, apply for 10 minutes and rinse. Use only a small amount: turmeric can leave a temporary yellow tint on skin and will stain fabrics. Shop turmeric powder
4. Manjistha powder
Made from the dried root of the Indian madder plant, a traditional ingredient in Ayurvedic skincare with a deep red colour. Try: mix 1 teaspoon with honey and rose water, apply for 10 minutes and rinse. Shop manjistha powder
5. Orange peel powder
Dried, ground orange peel with a fresh citrus scent and a slightly gritty texture. Try: mix 1 teaspoon with yoghurt and honey, massage in gently, leave for 10 minutes and rinse. Citrus can make some skin more sensitive, so patch test first and avoid using it before sun exposure. Shop orange peel powder
6. Bentonite clay
A soft volcanic clay and a popular base for homemade masks. It combines well with any of the powders above. Try: mix 1 tablespoon with water and a pinch of rose petal powder, apply for 5 to 15 minutes and rinse. See our full guide to how to use bentonite clay. Shop bentonite clay
What to mix herbal powders with
- Rose water: light and fragrant
- Plain yoghurt: creamy and easy to spread
- Honey: sticky and rich
- Aloe vera gel: cool and smooth
- Water: the simplest option
These powders are for external use in face masks only. Don't eat or drink them unless the product page says the powder is a food.
Read more hair and beauty guides.
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How to Use Bentonite Clay: A Step-by-Step Guide for Skin and Hair
Bentonite clay is a soft, grey-green clay formed from weathered volcanic ash. Mixed with water it turns into a smooth, spreadable paste, which is why it has long been a favourite ingredient in homemade face masks, hair masks and bath soaks. This guide walks you through how to use it, step by step.
Can you drink or eat bentonite clay?
Our Premium Bentonite Clay Powder is sold for external, cosmetic use only. Do not eat or drink it. It isn't a food, and clays sold for skin care aren't made or tested to food standards. The steps below are all for use on skin and hair.
What you'll need
- Bentonite clay powder
- A glass, ceramic or wooden bowl
- A wooden or plastic spoon (clay is traditionally mixed without metal)
- Water, or apple cider vinegar for a stronger mix
How to make a bentonite clay face mask
- Measure: start with about 1 tablespoon of clay for one face mask.
- Mix: add water a little at a time and stir to a smooth, yoghurt-like paste. Some people swap part of the water for apple cider vinegar.
- Apply: spread a thin, even layer over clean, dry skin, avoiding the eyes and lips.
- Leave: let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes. It will tighten and change colour as it dries.
- Rinse: wash off with warm water and a soft cloth, then pat dry and moisturise.
Start with a shorter time the first few times and see how your skin responds. Most people use a clay mask once or twice a week.
How to make a bentonite clay hair mask
- Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of clay with water or aloe vera gel to a loose, smooth paste.
- Work it through damp hair from roots to ends.
- Cover with a shower cap and leave for 10 to 20 minutes. Don't let it dry completely in the hair.
- Rinse thoroughly, then condition as usual.
Adding clay to a bath or foot soak
For a bath, dissolve a few tablespoons of clay in a jug of warm water first, then pour it into the bath and stir. For a foot soak, mix a tablespoon or two into a bowl of warm water. Rinse the bath well afterwards so clay doesn't settle in the drain.
Tips and precautions
- Patch test first: try a small amount on the inside of your arm and wait 24 to 48 hours before using it on your face.
- External use only: keep clay away from your eyes and never swallow it.
- Stop using it if you notice irritation.
- Mix only what you need; dried clay paste doesn't keep well.
- Store the powder sealed in a cool, dry place, away from children.
Bentonite clay FAQs
How often can I use a bentonite clay mask? Once or twice a week suits most people. Clay can feel drying, so follow with a moisturiser.
Do I have to avoid metal bowls and spoons? It's a long-standing tradition when mixing clay rather than a strict rule. Glass, ceramic, wood or plastic all work well and are easy to clean.
Can I mix bentonite clay with other powders? Yes, people often combine it with rose petal, neem or hibiscus powder in homemade masks.
Shop our Premium Bentonite Clay Powder, or browse more hair and beauty guides.
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How to Use Neem Powder for Hair: Masks, Rinses and Oil
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to India, where its leaves have been part of traditional hair and skin care for generations. Neem powder is simply the dried, ground leaves. It has a strong, bitter, herbal smell, but it's easy to use in homemade hair masks, rinses and oils. Here's how.
Neem powder is for external use only. Do not eat or drink it.
Before you start
- Patch test: apply a little of the mixed paste to the inside of your elbow 48 hours before using it on your face or scalp, and don't use it if you notice any irritation.
- Keep it well away from your eyes, and don't use it on broken or sore skin.
- Not for use on babies or young children, and don't use it if you're pregnant or trying to conceive.
1. Neem hair mask
- Mix 2 tablespoons of neem powder with warm water or plain yoghurt to a smooth paste.
- Apply to damp hair and scalp.
- Cover with a shower cap and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly, then shampoo and condition as usual.
2. Neem hair rinse
Stir 1 tablespoon of neem powder into 500 ml of just-boiled water and leave to steep for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine cloth or coffee filter and let it cool completely. After shampooing, pour it slowly over your hair, massage into the scalp, and rinse with cool water after a few minutes.
3. Homemade neem hair oil
Gently warm 100 ml of coconut oil with 1 to 2 tablespoons of neem powder over a very low heat for 5 to 10 minutes; don't let it bubble. Leave to cool and infuse, then strain through a fine cloth. Massage a little into your scalp, leave for an hour and wash out with shampoo.
4. Traditional Ayurvedic hair wash
Mix 1 teaspoon of neem powder with 1 tablespoon each of shikakai and amla powder, then add warm water to make a thin paste. Massage into wet hair and scalp, and rinse thoroughly. Add a little aritha for a soft lather.
Tips
- Neem's smell is strong. Mixing it with yoghurt, coconut oil or a few drops of lavender helps.
- Rinse twice to remove any powder from the scalp.
- Once a week is plenty for most people.
- Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children.
Shop our Neem Powder, or read how to use brahmi powder for hair.
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How to Use Aloe Vera Powder: Face Masks, Hair Masks and Gel
Aloe vera is a spiky succulent whose leaves hold a clear, jelly-like gel. Aloe vera powder is the dried, milled leaf, and it's a handy store-cupboard alternative to fresh aloe for homemade face and hair masks. Here's how to use aloe vera powder on your skin and hair.
This guide covers external use on skin and hair only.
Before you start
- Patch test: apply a little of the mixed paste to the inside of your elbow 48 hours before using it on your scalp or face, and don't use it if you notice any irritation.
- Keep it away from your eyes, and don't use it on broken or sore skin.
- Mix only what you need: homemade aloe mixtures contain no preservatives, so use them straight away.
How to turn aloe vera powder into a gel
- Put 1 teaspoon of aloe vera powder in a small glass or ceramic bowl.
- Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of cool water a little at a time, whisking with a fork or mini whisk.
- Leave for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken, then whisk again. Add more powder for a thicker gel or more water for a thinner one.
Aloe vera face mask
Mix 1 teaspoon of aloe vera powder with 1 tablespoon of plain yoghurt and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply a thin layer to clean skin, avoiding the eyes and lips, leave for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
Aloe and clay face mask
Mix 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay, 1 teaspoon of aloe vera powder and enough water or rose water to make a smooth paste. Apply for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse and moisturise.
Aloe vera hair mask
Make a batch of aloe gel as above, then stir in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Work it through damp hair from mid-lengths to ends, cover with a shower cap for 20 to 30 minutes, and wash out with shampoo.
Aloe and hibiscus hair paste
Mix 2 tablespoons of hibiscus powder with a batch of aloe gel to a smooth paste. Apply to damp hair, leave for 20 to 30 minutes and rinse well. See more ideas in our guide to using hibiscus powder for hair.
Aloe vera powder vs fresh aloe gel
Fresh aloe gel is ready to use but spoils within days once a leaf is cut. The powder keeps for months in a sealed pouch, and you can mix exactly as much as you need, as thick or thin as you like.
How to store it
Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Aloe powder absorbs moisture from the air, so always use a dry spoon.
Shop our Organic Aloe Vera Powder, or read more hair and beauty guides.
