I recently grabbed an issue of “Organic Beauty” magazine at the store. I usually don’t purchase magazines unless I think they’re worth keeping as a reference. And this one was! The premier edition was packed full of organic makeups, eco-friendly companies, and even a few recipes for easy at-home spa treatments
One article that caught my eye was an article on Jamu. Jamu is a way of taking care of your body by using specific herbs both inside and outside of your body through the use of special drinks and topical treatments
One of the “recipes” mentioned was rice rinse, which is an easy way to pamper your skin. The vitamins in the rinse promote healthy skin and soften it, creating a cheap and easy at-home spa treatment.
All that you need for this treatment is rice! How much easier could it get? The “rinse” is just rice water, also known as the water used to wash raw rice before it’s cooked. You’ll see on the package of rice a warning that says, “To retain vitamins and minerals, do not rinse rice before or after cooking.” When you wash the rice, the good stuff gets washed off into the water.
Pour the water off into another bowl and let it stand long enough that the water separates from the mineral-type stuff. Pour off some of the water – just enough that there’s a small amount of water in with the minerals in the bowl. Use it after cleansing your face.
You can also clean your hair with the rice rinse. Akiko at the Long Hair Community discussion boards says that:
For oilier hair you’ll need 1 1/4 cup of rice rinse, 2 teaspoons of shikakai powder, and 1 teaspoon of amla powder…
- Add shikakai and amla to rice rinse water
- Bring to a boil. Simmer 5 minutes over low heat. Let it cool.
- Strain with tea strainer.
- Use half of it per hair wash. I pour the liquid in a Rubbermaid dressing bottle with small tip. Pour over my scalp and rub. Put on a shower cap. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse.
If you’re interested in learning more about “jamu” check out these resources.
- Jamu: The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing by Susan Jane Beers
- The Tropical Spa by Sophie Benge
- The Jamu Shop