Shampoo Ginger

[JerryCarr]

The Bear and I were trolling the local markets for plants the other day, and we saw shampoo ginger. Something in the back of my mind said, "You want this, Jerry," so I bought it. This happens all the time, of course, but now I can't remember what shampoo ginger is good for. Do we make shampoo out of it? Soap? Look at it? And where does it like to grow. Shade? Sun? Any help will be appreciated.

Cheers,
Jerry

[Nalu]

I'm no expert but was told that the Hawaiian women used to use it to wash their hair. The hawaiian name is "awapuhi", I've also seen this listed in some shampoos. When I used to live on Maui we used to swim in Iao Stream and squeeze the gelatinous goo into our hair and then let it set for awhile before rinsing. It seemed to grow wild in the shade so I would assume it likes shade. Angela

[Carey]

Jerry, I kept this link from when I first moved here, has lots of info on the shampoo ginger:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/articl...il10a.html

[JerryCarr]

Thanks Nalu and Carey! Now I can plant and enjoy it. Of course, Bear will have to try the shampoo factor as I have very little hair on my head!

Cheers,
Jerry

[mary blonde]

Jerry,
Where did you find it? I've been looking all over!!

mary blonde

[oink]

quote:

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Originally posted by Nalu: When I used to live on Maui we used to swim in Iao Stream

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Reminds me when some of us Makenites used to pile in my car and make the trip to the valley to bathe in Iao stream. It was a nice change from the salt. The locals and tourists probably freaked out. At the time I was too far out to notice. Now I feel guilty about it, although that was many years ago.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[holeinursery]

Awapuhi is in the family Zingerberaceae family, 47 genera and over 1200 species. Awapuhi Kuahiwi (Zingerbar zerumbet)is the Hawaiian name; awapuhi of the mountains. it is not native to Hawaii, but was brought by Polynesians and distributed throughout the Pacific.
I have a hybred variety that the shampoo part of the flowering head grows up to three to four x the size of typical wild plants. The height of the leaves reach up to 4'.
If you are wondering about in the forest and without water, you can also drink the shampoo juice. Don't be alarmed in winter months, when your Awapuhi plant leaves and stems die and wither. This is normal part of seasonal dormancy.

[Scott_S]

Hi Jerry,
Julie has it growing in the shade and it spreads rather quickly. She uses it as a conditioner, just squeeze it into a pint jar toward the end of season when they are bright red. Amazing how heavy the heads get.

Scott

[JerryCarr]

Mary, we got ours from one of the vendors in the row nearest the highway at Makuu. He was not one of our "regulars" so I can't identify him other than the location. I was told by a neighbor that they have them at Home Depot for a reasonable price, and we saw them there the next day.

Cheers,
Jerry

[kani-lehua]

does anyone remember paul mitchell's 'awapuhi shampoo? i think he was one of the first to produce it commercially.

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