Rice water, often hailed as a traditional beauty elixir, especially in Asian cultures, has been a topic of much intrigue and skepticism alike. Growing up in the Yangtze River Delta in Zhejiang, China, I was always surrounded by the lore of rice water. My grandmother, a firm believer in its benefits, used it for various purposes including watering plants and as a natural cleanser for dishes, skin, and hair. As a young girl, I remember being skeptical about these claims, despite rice being a staple in our daily diet.
The belief in rice water’s benefits isn’t confined to household tales. Historical texts and long-standing traditions across Asia echo similar sentiments. For instance, China’s ancient “Liji” or “Book of Rites,” a collection of texts dating back to the Warring States period (475–221 BC), references the use of grain water, including rice water, for washing. In Huangluo Yao Village in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region of southwest China, known as the “village with the world’s longest hair,” women have traditionally used rice water, fermented with yuzu peel, herbs, and camellia seed oil, as a hair wash instead of commercial shampoos and conditioners. Similarly, court ladies in Japan during the Heian period (794-1185) reportedly used rice water for hair care.
Today, this ancient practice has found its way into modern beauty trends, propelled by social media platforms like TikTok and endorsements by celebrities such as Cardi B and Kim Kardashian. The traditional method involves using water from washed or soaked rice, believed to be rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids – essential elements for strong, healthy hair.
However, the efficacy of rice water as a hair treatment in contemporary times is debatable. Andrea Clark, a hair and scalp specialist based in Hong Kong and Melbourne, Australia, urges caution. She highlights that much of the information on rice water treatment is historical and anecdotal. According to Clark, the health of hair is influenced by various factors including diet, stress levels, and genetics, rather than external treatments alone.
Indeed, a report by China Central Television revealed that women in a village near Huangluo Yao, who also use rice water, do not exhibit the same hair length or quality. A professor cited in the report suggested that genetics might play a significant role in these differences.
Clark emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying causes of hair issues, such as dietary deficiencies or stress, rather than solely relying on external treatments like rice water. She points out that certain foods commonly consumed in Asia, such as seaweed, tofu, and legumes, are rich in the proteins and amino acids necessary for healthy hair. Herbs like dong quai, fo-ti, and wu wei zi are also known to support hair health by improving circulation.
For those curious to try rice water, Clark advises shampooing the hair first and then applying rice water for no more than 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. It’s important to do a patch test first, especially for people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.
To prepare rice water at home, one can soak well-rinsed, uncooked rice in two to three cups of water for about 30 minutes, strain, and use the water. While the tradition of using rice water for hair care has deep roots and continues to be popularized in the modern beauty world, it’s essential to approach it with a balanced view, considering both historical wisdom and contemporary scientific understanding.
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