Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Astringent (Kashaya), Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Saponins, Tannins, Lupeol
- Also Known As
- English: Shikakai, Acacia
Sanskrit: शातला, सप्तला
Hindi: शिकाकाई, रीठा
What is Acacia?
If you have ever washed your hair with a herbal powder instead of shampoo, there is a good chance you have met this plant. Shikakai, known in Sanskrit as (Shatala) or (Saptala), is the traditional hair cleanser of India, and Ayurveda values it for more than clean hair.
Its botanical name is Acacia concinna. The part used is the pod, which contains natural saponins, plant compounds that foam and gently cleanse. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes it as widely used for hair care.
The same plant has a second, quieter role. Classical sources also record it as a mild purgative and a blood purifier, and its pod decoction is used for skin diseases. That combination of scalp care, skin care and internal cleansing is what makes Shikakai distinctive.
In Ayurvedic terms it tastes astringent (Kashaya) and bitter (Tikta), is light (Laghu) and dry (Ruksha), and has a cooling potency (Sheeta Virya). Its main recorded constituents are saponins, tannins and lupeol.
Benefits of Acacia
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists three core actions (Karma, the classical term for a herb's therapeutic effect) for Shikakai: promoting hair growth, purifying the blood and acting as a purgative. Each benefit below traces back to one of these.
Hair Care
Shikakai is classed as hair-promoting (Keshya). Its pod saponins make it a gentle natural cleanser, which is why it is used as a wash rather than taken by mouth for hair.
Its cooling, blood-purifying nature is why it is paired with hair loss linked to scalp heat. Its light, dry qualities also help a greasy, congested scalp. Read more in Shikakai for Hair Loss.
Skin Health
The pod decoction is used for skin diseases (Kushtha, the classical umbrella term for chronic skin disorders). The reasoning is its role as a blood purifier (Raktashodhaka): Ayurveda links many skin problems to impure blood, and a cooling, bitter herb that cleanses the blood addresses that picture.
See Skin Disorders for the wider Ayurvedic approach.
Wound and Ulcer Care
Astringent herbs contract tissue and reduce oozing, and the tannins in Shikakai contribute to this astringent action. Combined with its drying quality, this is why it is used externally on weeping skin ulcers and slow wounds. It is not a remedy for stomach ulcers. Details are in Acacia for Ulcers.
Gentle Internal Cleansing
Shikakai is recorded as a mild purgative (Virechana). In Ayurveda, gentle purging is one way to clear excess heat and impurities from the body, which supports its blood-purifying role.
A Classical Topical Use
The Charaka Samhita mentions it in its chapter on poison treatment, where a paste of charmakasha (saptala, Acacia concinna) is applied to the scalp. This is a specialist classical procedure, not a home remedy, but it shows the plant's long history of external use.
Incisions should be made on his scalp resembling the paw of the crow (kakapada), and one bilva (nearly 40 grams) of the paste of charmakasha (saptala, Acacia concinna) should be applied over it.
Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 23 (Visha Chikitsa)
How to Use Acacia
Shikakai is mostly an external herb. The pods are used as a powder or a decoction (Kwath, a liquid made by simmering the herb in water) for washing hair and skin. Internal use is short-term and modest because of its purgative action.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pod powder paste (external) | Enough to make a thin paste with water | Hair wash, Pitta and Kapha scalp patterns | In place of shampoo, on a wet scalp, rinse well |
| Pod decoction (external) | About 10 g pods simmered in 400 ml water down to 100 ml | Greasy scalp, skin wash, weeping skin ulcers | Lukewarm, as a wash, up to twice daily |
| Pod powder (internal) | 1 to 2 g once daily | Short blood-purifying course | At night with warm water, for 7 to 14 days |
Choosing a vehicle
The vehicle (Anupana, the liquid or food a herb is taken with) recorded for the internal powder is warm water. For dry hair, oil the scalp with coconut or Bhringaraj oil first and use Shikakai to wash it out, which balances its drying effect.
Watch the bowels
If stools become loose with internal use, reduce the dose or stop. The purgative action is part of how it works, but it should never be pushed.
Safety & Side Effects
Used as a hair or skin wash, Shikakai is a gentle, familiar herb. The cautions mostly concern taking it by mouth and certain body types.
Internal use
Shikakai is a purgative. Taken internally it can loosen the stools, so keep any internal course short and modest, and stop if stools become loose.
Stomach and mouth ulcers
Its drying, astringent and purgative qualities can aggravate an irritated stomach lining. It is not used for peptic ulcers or mouth ulcers, only for external skin ulcers.
Dry hair and skin
Shikakai is light and dry, the same qualities as Vata, the dosha of air and dryness. Very dry, brittle hair can get worse with Shikakai alone, so oil the scalp first.
Pregnancy and nursing
Internal use is not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding because of the purgative effect.
When to see a doctor
Sudden patchy hair loss, scalp pain or pus, or a skin wound that is spreading, foul-smelling, streaked red or accompanied by fever needs medical care first. Shikakai can support that care, not replace it.
Recommended: Start Here
The simplest way to start with Shikakai is the way most people in India have always used it: as a natural hair wash.
Mix Shikakai pod powder with water into a thin paste. Massage it into a wet scalp, leave it briefly, then rinse well. Use it in place of your usual shampoo.
The saponins in the pods cleanse gently, and the herb's cooling nature suits a hot or oily scalp. If your hair is dry, oil the scalp an hour beforehand with coconut or Bhringaraj oil, then wash with Shikakai.
Find Shikakai Powder on Amazon ↗ Whole Shikakai Pods ↗ Bhringaraj Hair Oil ↗
Safety: Use Shikakai externally to begin with; internally it acts as a purgative and is not recommended in pregnancy or for stomach ulcers.
Acacia vs Other Herbs & Supplements
| Comparison | Acacia (Shikakai) | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shikakai vs Khadira | Acacia concinna. Pods used, mainly as a hair and skin wash, plus mild purgative and blood purifier. | Khadira (Acacia catechu). A different acacia, used as heartwood and decoction. Sharangadhara Samhita says its decoction destroys ulcers and skin diseases. | Sister species with a shared astringent profile, not interchangeable. Choose Shikakai for hair washing; Khadira is the classical lead for chronic skin disease. |
| Shikakai vs Bhringaraj | A cleanser, used to wash the hair and scalp. | Bhringaraj is a classical lead herb for hair, used in oils and internally. | They work well together: Bhringaraj oil on the scalp, Shikakai to wash it out. |
| Shikakai vs Amla | External hair use; internally a purgative, not taken for hair. | Amla is used internally for hair support. | For internal hair support, look at Amla. Use Shikakai as the wash. |
Acacia for Specific Populations
Source data on specific groups is limited, so the guidance here is cautious and focuses on what is known: Shikakai is mainly external, and internally it is a purgative.
Pregnancy and Nursing
Internal Shikakai is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because of its purgative action. External use on a small area, such as a hair wash, is generally considered safe, but check with a qualified practitioner first.
Children
Our sources give no specific dosing for children. Avoid internal use and ask a practitioner before using it on a child.
Elderly
Older adults often have drier hair and skin. Because Shikakai is light and dry, oil the scalp before washing, and be cautious with internal use given its laxative effect.
Athletes
There is no specific guidance for athletes in our sources. As a hair and scalp wash it can be used like anyone else would use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shikakai the same as Acacia and Shatala?
Yes. Shatala and Saptala are Sanskrit names for Acacia concinna, the plant known in Hindi and English as Shikakai. Its pods are the part used.
Why does Shikakai foam?
The pods contain natural saponins, plant compounds that foam and cleanse. This is why Shikakai works as a gentle hair wash.
Can I take Shikakai by mouth?
Classical sources record it as a mild purgative, so it loosens the stools. Any internal use should be short and modest, and it is not taken internally for hair.
Is Shikakai cooling or heating?
It has a cooling potency (Sheeta Virya) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka, the taste effect a herb leaves after digestion). Its cooling, bitter nature is why it is linked to purifying the blood.
Does Shikakai help with sore throat?
Our knowledge graph links Shikakai to sore throat, but our classical sources give no specific preparation for it. For now, its well-documented uses are hair care, skin diseases and external skin ulcers.
How to Use Acacia by Condition
Explore how Acacia is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
2-3 – DANTADHAVANA / CLEANING OF TEETH शर र च तां नव य कृतशौच व ध ततः अक य ोधख दरकर जककुभा दजम ् ातभु वा च म ृ व ं कषायकटु त तकम ् भ ये तपवनं द तमांसा यबाधयन ् कनी य सम थौ यं गुणं वादशा गुलम ् Keeping in view, the condition of his body, the individual should pass urine and faeces, clean teeth with any of the twigs of following herbs – Arka (Calotropis procera), Vata (Ficus benghalensis), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Kakubha (Terminalia arjuna).
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine
Kashaya Varga (Gana) – group of astringents: वगःकषायः प या ं शर षः ख दरो मधु कद बोद ु बरं मु ता वाला जनगै रकम ् बालं क प थं खजूरं वसप ो पला द च Group of astringents consists of Pathya – Chebuic Myrobalan (fruit rind) – Terminalia chebula, Aksha – Terminalia bellirica, Shireesa, Khadira – Black catechu (heart wood extract) – Acacia catechu, Madhu (honey), Kadamba, Udumbara, Mukta (Pearls), Pravala (Coral), Anjana – Aqueous extract of Berberis aristata (antimony), Gairika – Purified Red Ochre, B
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
References in Charaka Samhita
Khadira (Acacia catechu), saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris), musta (Cyperus rotundus linn), aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn), dhava (Anogeissus latifolia, Wall).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)
Sprikka (Delphinium zalil), plava (Cyperus rotundus), sthauneyaka (Taxus baccata), kanksi (Saurashtrika), shaileya (Parmelia perlata), rochana (bile of cow), tagara (Valeriana wallichii), dhyamaka (Cymbopogon martini), kunkuma (Crocus sativua), mamsi (Nardostachys jatamansi), agra (inflorescence) of surasa (Ocimum sanctum), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), ala (Haritala – Purified Arsenic trisulphide), kushtaghna (Khadira – Acacia catechu)), brhati (Solanum indicum), flower of sirisha (Albizzia lebbe
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
If he is free from signs and symptoms of incurability, then incisions should be made on his scalp resembling the paw of the crow (kakapada), and one bilva (nearly 40 grams) of the paste of charmakasha (saptala – Acacia concinna) should be applied over it.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
In poisoning of the mamsa dhatu, roots of khadira (Acacia catechu), nimba (Azadiracta indica) and kutaja (Holarrhena antidysentrica) should be taken mixed with honey and along with water.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
If the wound caused by the nails of teeth of quadrupeds or bipeds is swollen, inflamed and oozing and associated with fever, the paste of somavalka (Acacia catechu), ashwakarna (Dipterocarpus alatus), gojivha (Onosma bracteatum), hamsapaadi (Adiantum lunulatum), haridra (Curcuma longa), daruharidra (Berberis aristata) and gairika (red ochre) should be applied.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
In all types of Atisara (diarrhea): the juice of leaves of large Babbula (Acacia nilotica), or the juice of bark of Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum) and Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica), eliminates all forms of diarrhea when consumed.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
Triphala, Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), the two Haridras (turmeric and tree turmeric), Patola (Trichosanthes dioica), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Katuka (Picrorhiza kurroa), and Vidanga (Embelia ribes) — this decoction destroys Kushtha (skin diseases).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations)
and with Khadira (Acacia catechu) decoction it destroys Vrana (ulcers) and Kushtha (skin diseases).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)
Mundatikadi Kvatha [as Anupana]: the decoction of Khadira heartwood (Acacia catechu), Pathya (Haritaki) decoction, or warm water should be given as the vehicle.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)
All should be combined into a single powder and then processed (Bhavana) with Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba) juice and the decoction water of Khadira (Acacia catechu) and Asana (Pterocarpus marsupium), reduced to one-eighth.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Perform oblations with sticks of Khadira (Acacia catechu), Palasha (Butea monosperma), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), and Bilva (Aegle marmelos) — or of Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa), and Madhuka (Madhuca longifolia) — smeared with curd, honey, and ghee, while reciting the Pranava (Om) and Maha-vyahritis.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student
Amalaka (gooseberry) juice, goat (products), pippali, saindhava, and honey — stored in a khadira (acacia) wood container.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
It should also be cooked with Kushtha, Talisha, Khadira (Acacia catechu), Chandana (sandalwood), and Syandana.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha
The barks of Rohini, Sarja (sal), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Palasha (Butea monosperma), and Kubha should be decocted, and in that decoction, ghee should be cooked with Sattira.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 34: Shitaputanapratishedha
It should be coated with clay and baked over charcoal of khadira (Acacia catechu) wood.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 18: Chapter 18
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 34: Shitaputanapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 18: Chapter 18
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.