The Power of Natural Shampoo

I love learning about Laau Hawaii, the traditional uses of medicinal plants. It amazes me every time I learn something new and realize the knowledge of native people about their land, nature, and its uses. Recently, I’ve heard from a friend about a type of ginger that can be used as shampoo. How cool is that! I had to look it up and learn about this fascinating plant used by native Hawaiians. My question of the week is, “what is shampoo ginger and what are its uses?”





What is Shampoo Ginger?

Awapuhi kuahiwi is the Hawaiian name for shampoo ginger (zingiber zerumbet). It is thought to be native to India, but widespread throughout Asia. It was introduced by early Polynesians to Hawaii.
It is not much different from other ginger family plant; however, if you squeeze the bulbous flowering heads, a gingery watery sap will come out. The slightly slippery liquid has long been used by Polynesians as a natural shampoo. It also was used as a refreshing drink.



What are the uses of Shampoo Ginger?

There are many other ways native Hawaiians used the plant besides for shampoo and drink because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Dried and powdered rhizomes were put between kappa cloths for storage. Leaves were used as flavoring for foods. Ashes from the leaves were combined with ashes from ohe (bamboo) and the juice of immature kukui nuts, and the mixture was used to treat cuts and skin sores.
To treat headache, the underground stems were mashed with salt and rubbed overt the parts of the head. Rhizomes and leaves also were used for toothaches and upset stomachs. Fresh rhizomes were ground, placed in cloth and tied to a sprained limb to give relief.
Today, the shampoo ginger is an important ingredient of some popular commercial shampoos and soaps. It also makes an attractive addition to a floral arrangement.

*These information are taken from The Honolulu Advertizer and Laau Hawaii: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants by Isabella Aiona Abbott ( Bishop Museum Press, 1992).
*The pictures are taken from http://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/c22/0636.jpg and http://www.alloneroad.com/images_Honduras/water-cups.jpg