Walnut husk has always been used in natural cosmetics as a reflector to darken hair and give warm brown highlights.
What is walnut husk?
The walnut husk is the fleshy part that surrounds the shell of the walnut , from the plant of the same name Walnut : scientific name Juglans regia L.
The walnuts that we put in the bag at the greengrocer's are not attached to the branches like this but are instead wrapped in a fleshy, green layer, the husk, which is not edible but is used to make liqueurs such as nocino.
For cosmetic use the husk is dried and powdered.
It has always been used to dye: wood, textiles, leather and hair!
Think that the Persians used it to dye wool destined to become a fine carpet .
The cosmetic properties of walnut husk
The walnut husk contains various active ingredients, among the most important in cosmetics are tannins, flavonoids and naphthoquinones such as juglone.
Juglone inhibits the growth of fungi and also has antibacterial and astringent properties which give walnut husk antiseptic, vermifuge and keratinizing properties .
The main property, relevant for cosmetic purposes, remains that of colorant to which we add the following:
- polishing
- strengthening
- sebum-regulating
Colorant but not hair dye.
Walnut husk does not release a dye pigment but on hair it is able to act as a colored reflector of a brown tone and darkens blonde or light brown hair.
It is widely used in mixture with henna or other herbs to obtain more or less intense highlights and/or colours on the hair .
The oil obtained from walnut husks is also widely used in cosmetics to color the skin and give a tanned effect or accentuate a tan.
!! Be very careful if you have animals in your home, walnut husk in any form is highly toxic to some, including dogs and horses.
How to use walnut husk to highlight hair with brown tones
Heat some water well and add the necessary amount of powder, depending on the length of your hair, to obtain a paste with the consistency of yogurt , then apply to your hair.
Leave on for 40 to 80 minutes and then rinse and wash your hair with a normal shampoo and conditioner.
If you liked this article on walnut husk, you might be interested in our guide to brown henna, how to prepare it and which are the best ones !
Continue to learn more about Ayurvedic herbs in our blog section dedicated to henna and natural dyes !
[ApSC sc_key=sc3148331291][/ApSC]
