Crowning Glory of the Indian woman

We have to agree that ancient Tamil poets had a vivid imagination. How else would you describe their immortal verses which hail the beloved's hair as a large glistening rain cloud, from which jasmine buds peeped out like suddenly shy lightning?

An ancient Pandya king of South India was so enraptured by his wife's tresses, that he posed a singularly significant question at court the next day- "Is the fragrance that emanates from a woman's tresses natural or due to her perfumed cosmetics?" The story goes that none of his court poets could answer his question satisfactorily and in a fit of pique, he had them hanged. Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction came down, disguised as a poet, and sent a beautiful couplet that laid the king's doubts to rest.

It really may be true; the tresses of the Indian female may really be blessed with a natural fragrance. I say this with authority because over the centuries, women have looked towards Mother Nature to provide them the best hair care products.

Soapnut or Shikakai, as it is called in South India is the chief item in this beauty regimen. It is a brownish looking pod which is dried in the sun for at least a couple of weeks and then made into a fine powder. Its lather is known to rival even the best of shampoos worldwide.

The second ingredient is Arappu, which is another variation of Shikakai. It is more slippery to the touch and takes that much longer to wash off.

A very popular product that is still being used prevalently today is the shoeflower or the Hibiscus. Its leaves, flowers and stems are all used to clean and condition the hair. The roots of the shrub are believed to contain deposits of gold and hence its association with the shine of health and beauty.

But, the most popular of them all is the humble Henna It is also known as Mehendi in North India and Marudani in the Southern languages. Usually, henna (or '&heena'8 as it is called in the North Western provinces and Pakistan) is used to adorn the hands. The juice of its leaves leave reddish stains on the skin which before they are dry, are stylized into intricate designs and patterns.

But as a hair care product, henna is unequalled as a conditioner and a natural astringent. Black henna dyes the gray hairs and ordinary henna

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