Want to go black or dark brown without synthetic or chemical hair colors? Many synthetic hair dyes contain para-phenylenediamine, a harmful component that can damage your hair. Luckily, indigo powder offers a natural alternative.
Indigo Powder for Hair Coloring
Before artificial hair colors were common, indigo powder and henna powder were popular natural hair dye options for achieving beautiful, lustrous black hair.
What is Indigo Powder?
Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) is a herb from the bean family, native to Africa and Asia. The crushed leaves of this plant are used as an organic dye for hair and materials, making indigo powder highly valued, often referred to as “blue gold.”
Benefits of Indigo Powder for Hair Dye
Using natural hair colors like indigo powder gives your hair the desired tone without causing damage and improves its overall condition. Here are some fantastic benefits of indigo powder for hair:
- Natural Hair Color: Indigo powder is a plant-based, mild alternative to synthetic hair colors, free from harmful substances like ammonia and peroxide. It won’t cause frizziness.
- Prevents Grey Hair: When used with coconut oil, indigo powder treats and prevents greying hair.
- Encourages Hair Growth: Regular massage with a mix of indigo powder and carrier oil stimulates the roots and combats scalp infections, promoting new hair growth.
- Prevents Dandruff: Indigo powder helps prevent scalp infections that lead to dandruff and nourishes the scalp, reducing flaking.
- Treats Dryness: Indigo-infused hair packs are excellent natural conditioners, treating dry, brittle hair ends, resulting in soft, silky, and bouncy hair.
How to Apply Indigo Powder for Grey Hair
Here are some DIY methods to apply indigo powder to your hair, either as a dye or a nourishing hair mask.
Recipe 1: Indigo Hair Pack for Dry Tresses
This nourishing, protein-rich hair pack reduces hair loss and prevents dryness. Ingredients like eggs, indigo, and amla powder help cover grey hair, reduce hair loss, and clear the scalp.
Ingredients:
- Lemon: 1 teaspoon
- Amla Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Indigo Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Henna Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Fenugreek Powder: 1 teaspoon
Recipe 2: Indigo Pack for Lustrous Hair
This pack conditions and cleanses your hair, making it lustrous and manageable without drying out the scalp.
Ingredients:
- Egg: 1 whole
- Curd: 1 teaspoon
- Shikakai Powder: 1 tablespoon
- Senna Powder: 1 tablespoon
- Indigo Powder: 1 tablespoon
Recipe 3: Indigo and Henna Hair Dye
Indigo powder is a blue dye that can turn hair vivid blue if used alone. To achieve darker colors like brown or black, prime your hair with a henna treatment before applying indigo powder.
Ingredients:
- Yogurt: 1 tablespoon
- Dry Coffee: 1 cup
- Indigo Powder: 1 tablespoon
- Henna Powder: 1 tablespoon
By incorporating these indigo powder recipes into your hair care routine, you can naturally color your hair and maintain its health and luster.