You may be wondering, “What’s the best way to get beautiful and healthy hair?” Out of the thousands of solutions out there, Awapuhi shampoo is a promising one. It nourishes your hair and supplements it with essential nutrients needed for optimal hair health and growth!
Let’s explore the possible benefits and side effects of using the Awapuhi plant for your hair, scalp, and skin.
What is Awapuhi?
Awapuhi, also known as Zingiber zerumbet or ‘Bitter ginger,’ is a species belonging to the ginger family. It is known to possess several essential and healthy properties for humans. [1]
The Awapuhi plant is a common variety of plants grown freely across Asia and several other tropical countries worldwide. It is grown because of its medicinal properties or for multiple other uses. [2]
However, the beneficial properties of Awapuhi on the hair were brought to light. And this reason has made it a popular ingredient in many herbal and nature-based shampoos.
As a result, many people have already benefited from Awapuhi shampoo, and several others continue doing so over time.
Where to Find the Awapuhi Plant?
These ginger or Awapuhi plants are said to have originated from India. However, its origin is also said to be Hawaii in and some other places. When it was grown and cultivated in Hawaii, it was referred to as the ‘canoe plant,’ and nearly every other part of it was utilized for some purpose. [4]
However, if you are trying to find the Awapuhi plant in winter, you might not succeed in your search. This is because the plant goes dormant in winter only to return back in the form of pine-like cones once again when the summers start.
Awapuhi Benefits For Skin And Hair
There have been ongoing claims about the Awapuhi plant being a perfect concoction when added to shampoos and skincare regimens.
It is also used as an anti-inflammatory remedy for digestive disorders (such as diarrhea) and as an anti-worm remedy. The leaves and rhizomes are often macerated, ground, and infused with alcohol for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Let’s explore how Awapuhi benefits our skin, hair, and other aspects that make it a decent option to look into!
It Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects on the Hair
Anti-inflammatory effects, especially when it comes to referring to one’s hair, sound dubious. This is because we usually hear about how the anti-inflammatory properties of a given ingredient are beneficial to one’s health.
However, the hair, too, needs as much anti-inflammatory exposure as possible. This may help to combat dandruff, roughness, and other scalp dryness-related issues.
This means that Awapuhi can help to nourish the scalp and supply beneficial nutrients and ingredients that prevent it from getting dry over time. The dryness of the scalp contributes to dandruff problems and rough-textured hair in the long run. [5]
It Repairs Hair
The Awapuhi plant possesses several moisturizing properties. These properties, combined with the plant’s hydration effect, help repair damaged, rough, frizzy hair.
People with already silky hair might find it enhances the health of their hair. Meanwhile, people who have dry, rough, and curly hair may actually feel a visible difference when they use this shampoo. It can improve the texture and health of your hair with regular usage. [6]
It Hydrates The Skin
The benefits of Awapuhi are not just limited to the hair but the skin as well. When applied to the skin, you may experience this plant’s rejuvenating, moisturizing, and extremely hydrating properties.
It hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling supple, soft, and moisturized. People with dry or rough skin can easily benefit from these properties. [7]
It Is An Excellent Toner
Awapuhi is known to be a perfect toner for your skin. When it is a regular part of your skincare regime, you may notice that it keeps your skin hydrated and balanced most of the time.
It can also help you reduce the appearance of scars, if you have any, on your face. In addition to that, it softens your skin overall, making it manageable and easier to deal. [8]
How to Use Awapuhi for the Skin and Hair?
There are many ways to use the Awapuhi plant for your skin and hair. You can easily pick a product or shampoo containing Awapuhi off your supermarket shelf. Another option is to use the plant as it is.
The best way to make the most of this plant is to apply it directly to your head or skin. But it’s best to perform a patch test first while you are at it.
Awapuhi smells like a floral or tropical flower or fruit. It has tones of varying intensities that make it appear like an exotic flower. If you are new to this plant, you don’t have to worry about its unpleasant odor! [9]
And if you live in a place where accessing the Awapuhi plant is not simple, you can use products that come infused with Awapuhi. To date, several shampoos, conditioners, and other skin products come infused with the natural extracts of the Awapuhi plant. [10]
Side Effects of Awapuhi Plant
Although it is not exactly a harmful plant, there are some side effects that this plant might have in the context of using it on our skin and hair.
The side effect you might experience from the Awapuhi plant is typically due to using too much product.
Doing so, usually in an attempt to see early changes, can lead to hair damage. [11]
So, when using a new product on your skin and hair, it’s always best to start low and go slow. This way, you can assess the product’s benefits while minimizing your risk of side effects. Do note that any positive changes will take time.
Remember never to overdo it, or you may experience skin-related sensitivity or allergic reactions due to an overuse of the product.
Conclusion – Is Awapuhi A Must-Have?
The Awapuhi plant is a beneficial product. It is enriched with some useful and nutritious ingredients that can nourish your hair and leave it feeling fresh and healthy.
Apart from that, the Awapuhi plant can also be used for hair concerns such as dandruff, scalp dryness, and rough texture. Of course, any benefits of the Awapuhi plant usually come with routine use. Patience is key here!
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Yob, N. J., Jofrry, S. M., Affandi, M. M., Teh, L. K., Salleh, M. Z., & Zakaria, Z. A. (2011). Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith: A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal, Chemical, and Pharmacological Uses. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2011, 543216. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/543216
- Sharifi-Rad, M., Varoni, E. M., Salehi, B., Sharifi-Rad, J., Matthews, K. R., Ayatollahi, S. A., Kobarfard, F., Ibrahim, S. A., Mnayer, D., Zakaria, Z. A., Sharifi-Rad, M., Yousaf, Z., Iriti, M., Basile, A., & Rigano, D. (2017). Plants of the Genus Zingiber as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals: From Tradition to Pharmacy. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 22(12), 2145. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22122145
- Tan, J. W., Israf, D. A., & Tham, C. L. (2018). Major Bioactive Compounds in Essential Oils Extracted From the Rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet (L) Smith: A Mini-Review on the Anti-allergic and Immunomodulatory Properties. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 652. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00652
- Ahmadabadi, H. K., Vaez-Mahdavi, M. R., Kamalinejad, M., Shariatpanahi, S. S., Ghazanfari, T., & Jafari, F. (2019). Pharmacological and biochemical properties of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm. and its therapeutic efficacy on osteoarthritis of knee. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 8(12), 3798–3807. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_594_19
- Tan, J. W., Israf, D. A., & Tham, C. L. (2018, June 20). Major Bioactive Compounds in Essential Oils Extracted From the Rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet (L) Smith: A Mini-Review on the Anti-allergic and Immunomodulatory Properties. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00652
- Kader, G., Nikkon, F., Rashid, M. A., & Yeasmin, T. (2011). Antimicrobial activities of the rhizome extract of Zingiber zerumbet Linn. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine, 1(5), 409–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60090-7
- Haque, M. A., & Jantan, I. (2017). Recent Updates on the Phytochemistry, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Activities of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 18(9), 696–720. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201018666171115115458
- Moreira da Silva, T., Pinheiro, C. D., Puccinelli Orlandi, P., Pinheiro, C. C., & Soares Pontes, G. (2018). Zerumbone from Zingiber zerumbet (L.) smith: a potential prophylactic and therapeutic agent against the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 18(1), 301. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2360-0
- Haque, M. A., Jantan, I., Harikrishnan, H., & Ghazalee, S. (2019). Standardized extract of Zingiber zerumbet suppresses LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses through NF-κB, MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in U937 macrophages. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 54, 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.183
- Zakaria, Z. A., Mohamad, A. S., Chear, C. T., Wong, Y. Y., Israf, D. A., & Sulaiman, M. R. (2010). Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Zingiber zerumbet methanol extract in experimental model systems. Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre, 19(4), 287–294. https://doi.org/10.1159/000312715