How to Use Sidr Powder for Hair: The Traditional Wash, Step by Step
For generations of families across the Middle East, Sidr was how hair was washed. Dried leaves of the Sidr tree were ground into a fine green powder, stirred with water and worked through the hair. The habit has never quite disappeared, and it is easy to bring into a modern routine. This guide walks through the method, step by step.
What is Sidr powder?
Sidr powder is the dried, finely ground leaf of Ziziphus spina-christi, a hardy tree that grows across the Middle East and North Africa. Mixed with water, the powder becomes a soft paste that gives a gentle, low lather. It does not foam like a shampoo, and it is not meant to.
FAYNAN Pure Sidr Leaf Powder is a single ingredient: ground Sidr leaf, with nothing added. To learn more about the tree itself, visit our Sidr entry in the Botanical Library.
What you will need
- Two to three tablespoons of Sidr powder (more for long or thick hair)
- Warm water
- A non-metal bowl and a spoon
- A towel and a clip
How to use Sidr powder for hair, step by step
1. Mix the paste
Stir the powder with warm water, a little at a time, until it forms a smooth, creamy paste, roughly the texture of yogurt. Let it rest for a few minutes so the powder fully absorbs the water. If it thickens, add a splash more.
2. Dampen your hair
Sidr spreads most easily on damp hair. Wet your hair and gently squeeze out the excess water.
3. Apply in sections
Part your hair into a few sections. Work the paste onto the scalp along each parting, then smooth it down through the lengths and ends. Sectioning helps you cover everything evenly without using more than you need.
4. Rest
Clip your hair up loosely and leave the paste for 15 to 30 minutes. Keep it away from your eyes; if any reaches them, rinse well with water.
5. Rinse thoroughly
Rinse with warm water until the water runs clear. Take your time: fine particles can settle in thick or curly hair, and a slow, thorough rinse is what gives a clean finish. Follow with your usual conditioner.
How much should you use?
| Hair | Sidr powder |
|---|---|
| Short or fine | 1–2 tablespoons |
| Shoulder-length | 2–3 tablespoons |
| Long, thick, curly or coily | 3 tablespoons or more, in sections |
Sidr after a pre-wash oil
Sidr pairs naturally with oiling. Apply a pre-wash oil such as the Botanical Hair Ritual Oil to dry hair, let it rest, then use the Sidr paste as your wash step. Because Sidr is gentle, hair that was heavily oiled may need a light shampoo afterwards.
A Sidr mask for the face
Sidr can also be used as a simple mask. Mix one teaspoon with water or rose water, apply to clean skin avoiding the eye area, leave for about ten minutes, then rinse. Test on a small area first.
Adding scent
Sidr can also be combined with Mashat, a fragrant botanical blend from Yemen and the Gulf, for a scented wash day. Read What Is Mashat? to learn more.
A few things to keep in mind
- Test on a small area of skin before first use.
- Keep the paste away from the eyes.
- Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Keep the pouch sealed and dry between uses.
- Stop using any product if irritation occurs.
Simple habits last
A bowl, some water, a little patience. Sidr asks for nothing more, and that is much of its charm. For the full wash-day picture, read our guide to Middle Eastern hair rituals.
Go deeper: What is Sidr? The tree, the traditional wash and the forms Sidr takes. Or explore the full Hair collection.