- Who are the Yao women?
- The secret to growing the longest hair in the world
- Benefits of rice water
- How to use rice water for hair
There’s been a growing interest in natural beauty products for some time now, with the likes of honey, olive and coconut oil replacing conventional haircare. As we take a less chemical approach to maintaining the health of our hair and skin, the search for natural alternatives has taken the beauty pack to the Yao women of Asia, where they owe their famously long hair to a very natural method.
Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in November 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in October 2018.
Who are the Yao women?
The ancient Chinese village of Huangluo is actually nicknamed the ‘Long Hair Village’, as the Yao women in this autonomous region of Guangxi are known for their long, grey-less, shiny hair.
Most women in this area have hair longer than 1.4 metres, and have even made an appearance in the Guinness Book of Records.
For the Yao people, their long hair is their most prized possession, believing that long hair symbolises prosperity, longevity, wealth and good fortune. They wear their hair in different styles to represent landmarks in their life, such as marriage.
Yao women only cut their hair once in a lifetime, aged 18. The hair is gifted to a grandmother, and then returned to the girl after she is married to wear alongside her own hair, as a hairpiece - Some may say this was the original hair extension!
So, what's their secret to Rapunzel-esque long locks?
The secret to growing the longest hair in the world
Fermented rice water - yes really! Yao women have been using rice water for hair for years. (Rice water is the misty coloured liquid left from boiling rice, and fermenting it makes it even more beneficial for hair).
It’s been the Yoa women's secret - as well as imperial princesses in the East - to long hair since ancient times.
Benefits of rice water
It turns out that murky, white liquid we pour down the drain after cooking rice is full of beneficial nutrients. Rice water can benefit hair in the following ways:
Encourages hair growth
In order for hair to grow, it needs nourishment. Amino acids are extremely important for hair growth as 18 of them are needed for the production of the protein, keratin, which requires 18 different types of amino acids.
Rice water contains an impressive 8 amino acids, so it's easy to see why it's so beneficial for hair growth.
Amino acids aside, rice water also contains Vitamins B - needed for strong hair - C - needed to produce sebum which keeps the scalp moisturised - and E - prevents hair loss.
Prevents split endsThe hefty amount of amino acids in rice water give your hair not just the best chance of growth, but also strength. The stronger and healthier your hair, the less likely it is to get split ends - another reason to use rice water for hair!
Makes hair shiny
Vitamin E is also extremely beneficial for the appearance of your hair. It's known to turn frizzy and damaged masses of hair into slick, sleek and shiny, healthy locks.
Cures dandruff
Dandruff can be caused by anything from stress to Parkinson's disease. Whilst it won't cause you any harm, it can be uncomfortable, and embarrassing too.
Fermenting rice water then using it on your hair could prove to be an effective way of managing it. Fermented rice water can fight the fungi which causes dandruff, and rid you off those white flakes.
Protects hair from damage
Inositol is a pretty special nutrient. This carbohydrate can both remedy and prevent damage to hair, by increasing elasticity and reducing surface friction.
Whether you use styling tools regularly, dye your hair or get perms, inositol could really help get it healthy again. Best of all, it needn't cost you a fortune - you can find it in rice water.
How to use rice water for hair
Want to get hair as long as the Yao women? Here's how to make your very own rice water or fermented rice water (even more nutritional) hair wash:
Rice water wash
- Place a tumbler full of rice in a large amount of boiling water.
- Boil the rice until cooked - you can use this for dinner!
- Strain the excess water which should be cloudy in colour.
- Wait until it's cooled to a comfortable temperature, then add a few optional drops of your favourite essential oils.
- Shampoo your hair before pouring the rice water over it. Leave for at least 15 minutes whilst gently massaging your hair.
- Rinse with cool water.
Fermented rice water wash
- Rinse a cup of rice to get rid of any dirt.
- Place in a bowl and cover with water for 15 minutes - stirring occasionally.
- Strain the water into a plastic bottle.
- Leave it at room temperature for a day or until it turns slightly sour and starts to ferment.
- Pour into a pan, boil it then allow to cool.
- Add a few optional drops of tea tree, lavender or rosemary essential oils.
- Use the water as an alternative to shampoo by gently massaging it into your scalp and through the length of your hair.
- Rinse thoroughly.
How many times should you wash your hair with rice water?
If you want to reap the benefits of rice water, you need to stick at it! Thicker, shinier and more voluminous hair won't happen overnight and you'll need to use rice water regularly to really see a difference.
Try and make a habit of using rice water to wash your hair - rice is an extremely cheap and healthy food source, so this shouldn't be too much of a problem! Three or more times a week is desirable.
Who's excited to try this easy-peasy hair growth remedy? Share your secret hair hacks with us in the comments below.
Hi, I love your tips site, it's brilliant. But i'm really sorry to disappoint you... it's impossible for any remedy anywhere to make your hair grow longer. In the same way that no remedy could make you grow any taller or give you longer fingers or a longer nose. It's scientifically impossible. I don't doubt that the quality of the hair is significantly affected by their techniques but they owe the LENGTH of it to their genes. Here's how it works... The hair growth cycle is in 3 stages... Anagen, Catagen & Telogen. The 1st one, Anagen is the phase during which the hair is actively growing, by cell division within the base of the follicle (-little tube like structure that holds the developing hair root & joins it to the blood supply). This stage lasts between approx. 2-12 yrs, & around 80% of the hairs on one's head are in this phase at any one time. These hairs are attached to the blood supply & are actively growing - these are the hairs that hurt when you pull them out. After a genetically predetermined length of time each hair drops out of anagen & goes through the next 2 phases Catagen & telogen, during which the hair stops growing & the follicle detaches from the blood supply preventing any further growth & then has a bit of a rest & the hair comes away - these are the hairs in your brush/plughole. And then after about 3 wks the follicle rejoins the blood supply & the whole process starts again. (balding is due to the follicle not reattaching & then shrivelling up & dying instead) When people have a traumatic event & all their hair falls out its because the shock caused all the hairs that were in the anagen phase to suddenly drop into catagen & telogen... so no hairs are left that are attached to the blood supply & they all just fall out in the brush. So regarding how long the hair can grow... People whose anagen phase lasts over a decade will grow very long hair (at approx. 1/2 an inch a month, in 12yrs each hair will have grown up to 3 mtrs long before it drops out of anagen & stops growing!) But people who's genes have stiffed them (like me lol) & have only a 2yr long anagen phase, can NEVER grow their hair longer than 12" or so because each hair drops out of anagen too soon. The ladies in this village owe the *quality of their hair, it's sheen & healthiness to what they use on it, but they owe the *length of it to the genes which decided what the length of their anagen phase would be. So while the quest for strong hair, shiny hair, healthy hair, is worth pursuing. But the quest for LONG hair is a waste of time, like the quest for larger or different colour eyes would be. Source: Sr College Lecturer in Hairdressing
Hi Charlie! Thanks for sharing this, it's all very interesting to me. I've written about the hair growth cycle in my article - https://experthometips.com/how-to-make-your-hair-grow-faster-than-ever - and while I agree that genetics can stump your hair growth and throw you quicker into the latter stages of the cycle, you can help boost follicles with regular head massage, eating plenty of proteins etc. My hair struggles to grow but I find with a little help, I can maximise what i have and make my hair stronger that what it would be if I left it to it's own devices. Thanks for the sharing the information, it's always great to hear from readers.
I agree, you can't change your genes, however you can maximize what you have. If your hair is weak due to outside influences, strengthening it can help it grow longer and healthier, because it won't break as easy. If your hair follicles are stronger, your hair will fall out less and grow healthier. So yes, science, but the same way a person can do exercises and take vitamins to help the height and posture they received in their genes, a person can improve the health and strength of their hair. The same with your skin. You have a certain skin condition at birth, but you can improve or change it with products or vitamins or the like.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Kate. I agree with everything you have said here, I know what may work for myself may not work for everyone but I think it's worth trying. We can always help boost what we have been blessed with. Even just diet changes can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of hair. If I eat a protein rich diet for a week I will notice by hair is shinier than before.
For me the fermented rice water has thicken my hair,strength my hair my hair has received growth in a short amount of time. Rice water ph level is 4 also I also use aloe vera gel as a leave-in conditioner. I finger comb the aloe throughout my hair twist air dry. Then untwist my hair adding Camille Rose Almond Jai to each twist tuck away my ends repeat each week with washing with black soap. I also rinse once a week with rice water no washing only rinsing. I love what rice water does for my hair. I just recently add some herbs to my recipe. ????????????
Hi Anushka, In the second point of the above article, is it the starch you want us to strain (collect) or just the water we use to wash the rice grains for the second time? If water, does it ferment when stored? Please provide some language on this..
Hi Krishna, it is the rice water you want to collect and leave to ferment. It will ferment when stored, yes. I have amended the article slightly so it's a bit clearer!
I my hair is short and I like long hair, what are some ways I can do to grow my hair, please help me I'm in Papua New Guinea..
Hai Thanks for great news, its wow to see and read on it,
O My God...That's very long hair when i see i shocked to looking long hair of this women.I love my hair and i tried to care my hair but every day my hair is down not increases...I read your article then my problem is solved and burn a hope to growing my hairs than a lot for sharing this information with me...
No worries, hope it has given you some hope. You can only try!
Don’t abuse your hair Don’t use heat Don’t color it Don’t wash it Don’t cut it. Hair grows.
Hahaha
Hi I am a bold man. Can I make use of that??? Thanks to you.
Hi, I am a bold man. Can I make use of that??
Hi there, as far as I know it won't help male pattern baldness but it's always worth a try. I recommend scalp massage.
HI ma'am Can I use it on hair which is being colored! Will it have a good impact or no? Thanks in advance
Hi Sana, I can't be sure on this. I would assume it would be fine on coloured hair, but I would recommend doing a strand test at the back of your head to see if there are any adverse reactions.
One more question.. Should I stop shampooing my hair with a start of this treatment?
Hi Sana, the rinse is an alternative to shampoo so I would avoid shampooing on the days you use the rice rinse.
Hey ...I am suffering from hair loss since 7 years and m 22 now ...my hair are very thin and roots are very weak ...I have tried almost all natural things and even applied minoxidil which helped me a little but after stopping its use I suffered even more hair loss...I have braid of finger width and when I comb my hair they fall out like anything !!... Will this recepie help me?...and can I use it on a regular basis like everyday?...plz help me out!!
Hi there, I'm not a hair loss expert so I can't give your any professional advice on this. I'm so sorry to hear of your hair loss, I would say Minoxidil is your best bet but it is for long term use. I would suggest gently scalp massage but in this case I'd recommend seeking professional advice. Good luck.
Hi Saumya, I also suffer from from itchy scalp which has stopped my hair from growing. Let me share with you the advise Dr. Oz once gave to lady with similar problem. He advised that hair fall is cause mainly from inflammation in the body. Hence he advised the lady to stop taking inflation causing foods including dairy, sugar wheat products. I know it is difficult but try and avoid this food stuff and hope your problem will be solved from inside out. Let’s do it together. I just started this few days ago. Good luck to both of us
Does the water from brown rice work as well? I never cook white rice anymore.
As far as I know white works better, but brown can be used as well.
It may be helping to retain length not grow hair.
Hi. I am an african woman. And my hair is very short. It grows only up to the puff level. Can fermentated rice water help.
Hi Amo, it should work too. Please try it and let me know if it works for you.
Hi. How do i go about it. Do i boil the rice then i collect the starch which i wil store for a day or two.
When will the effects start showing. Week, Month?
Hi Cherry, everyone is different but I noticed a difference pretty much overnight and my hair was noticeably longer in a week.
Cooked rice water or washing rice water? I do I use it? After use How long take it to hair long?
Hi Jasmine if you follow the instructions on how to prepare the rice water, it's in the article and tells you how to do it.
Hi my name is Jacinta from Kenya and my hair very short if i use only rice water without Tea drop or Roseflowr it can work or Not?
Hi, Anushka, I watched video's on YouTube on how to make the rice water, but I also watched the Yao women video and their method is much different. They say to ferment the rice water for a week. and use pomelo peel, and tea seed oil, I want to do it their way. and Is the water being fermented without the rice in it. And is the rice water soaking with the rice in it for just 24 hours? Please help.
You can lengthen the anagen phase through topicals. Upregulating VEGF does it. These women, though, are just Asian, wear protective styles, and don't cut their hair!
Here is my email address is marianrious1908@gmail.comHere
Thanks. u very much i went to this shop to get my hair done this guy put chemicals. That was to stronge i cryed my hair had growed unti i went to guy my hair was down to sholders but after that i never went back i could of sued
I just thought I would share, every since I was a teenager living in New Mexico we were instructed to sleep with a fairly tight French braid for faster hair growth. As with topical stimulation I assume this is beneficial for the anagen phase? Thank you for the article about Asian beauty crowns, and enjoyed the information from reader, Charlie.
Thanks. u very much i went to this shop to get my hair done this guy put chemicals. That was to stronge i cryed my hair had growed unti i went to guy my hair was down to sholders but after that i never went back i could of sued him but i did not God. Bless thank you very much
Oh no sorry to hear that. I hope these tips will help you!
wow so nice.
I love your page, great stuff really! But a quick question. Do I store the water while it is fermenting in a closed lid bottle or open?
Hahaha
do you condition after using the rice water?
yes you can condition afterwards if you like.
It just says add water it doesn't say how much water to mix with the rice. And how often do you use It per week? Do you leave it in your hair or just rub in and rinse off?
Hello Laura! Just follow the instructions on the packet of rice regarding how much water to add. You can use it as much as you want or as often as you wash your hair. Leave it on your hair for a few minutes and then rinse.
Hey Is i can used this way? Do reply. Today,firstly applying rice water to my hair massaging thereafter..leaving for 20 mins then rinse off with plain water. Tomorrow use the coconut oil and leave it overnight and then the day after tomorrow wash hair with shampoo and then use the conditioner. Reply me
Hi Disha, that sounds like a pretty good haircare routine you've planned out there. Can you keep us updated and let us know how you get on?
Thanks you guys it's really great to know the source of long hair
Hi there. Im glad you enjoyed the article and hope some of our tips helped you :)
Gday I have been using it for a tad bit over a month one thing I have less shedding My hair stays braided for one month so hard to see results I use a spaghetti jar put 1 orange peel or whatever fruit peel 1/2 cup rice peppermint oil let it soak 1 week Using warm water plastic cap 30 mins Rinse cool water When I run out of shampoo I will use this once a week with just a couple of drops shampoo double the portion Kinky curly hair
Hi Denise thanks for sharing your homemade hair soak with us! It sounds interesting, I will have to look up the benefits of orange peel.
I like this story. I went threw a horrifying episode in my life when all my hair fell off my head. I found out later that they had given me radiation therapy when in the hospital. I wore wigs for two months while I took vitamins for my hair. It works now after just 3 years My hair is to my but-ox and it this will help me I will do it to love it. Before I had gone into the hospital my hair would grow shoulder length and break off and I had not cut it in over 25 years. I long my long hair and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for sharing your story. I'm pleased your hair has grown back and stronger than ever!
You girls (yourself and Minaz from Hair Buddha)are helping people like me so much without even realizing..I had lost most of my hair even though genetically I am not predisposed to baldness as no one in my entire family lose hair..I lost my hair due to rampant use of chemicals and stumbled upon Hair buddha and your website and now I use only natual things and I make most of it myself and get all the items from local stores whom I trust and now my hair is better than ever and with time I am sure it will grow to be better than what I had 10 years ago..Thanks a lot :)
Hi Bharat. We're so glad to hear that our tips have helped you with your hair. It's true that natural is always best! Here's to many more years of happy, healthy hair :)
Ma....how can I grow my hair? each time my hair will break and am so tired abt it can u give me the idea to make it long
Hi James, It sounds like your hair need some nourishment. Try using coconut oil as a treatment to get it nice and strong. Additionally, the inversion method will help encourage and get you the long hair you desire. I hope this helps :)
I tried your secrets now my hair grows 3 to 4 and half inches a month. Thanks! Amazing!
Hi Angela. Wow!! Those really are impressive results. We're so glad our tips helped you :)
Hi, my hair has been falling off after every hairdo thats braided. Never grew the same length. So I cut them extremely short. Will this rice remedy help my hair?
Hi Sonda, Follow the advice in the article and your hair should grow faster :)
Hello. I have previously had tailbone length hair, when I did not take care of it. I cut it for the first time this year, and have kept it medium for a while. I am hoping to grow it out again, past where it used to be when I didn't take care of it. It took me 6 years from bald to grow it out to tailbone length last time. I know growing out your hair mostly just takes time, but do you have any tips? I have dense, fine, low porosity, curly hair. P.S. I am also a serious competitive swimmer. Thanks!
Hi Madrid, Good decision on taking the plunge to get it chopped - regular trims are ESSENTIAL to hair health. As you're a swimmer, I'd recommend using a hair mask at least once a week to renourish hair. To encourage growth, try the inversion method. I hope this helps :)
I am african so i wondered if it will work with my hair. However, i have started using Rice water for two weeks now and have noticed some different Hope to update after 3months of usage. Thanks for your information
Hi Ebby, Great to hear you've noticed an increase in hair growth. Keep up the good work :)
Hi there, can this fermented rice water be used by males?
Hi Victor, of course, it can! If you're aiming for long, luscious locks then go ahead and give it a go.
Hi I'm lovia ,when I braid and unbraid my hair some of my hair gets removed from its place, I want to known if this method can help.
Hi Lovia! We're sure it will help! Give it a go and let us know how you get on?
As for me i think there is difference between fermented rice water and boiled.fermented is where u keep uncooked rice in water for 24hrs or more until it ferment and give a foul smell and boiled rice water is boiling rice then u get a whitish cloudy water
This is really good and informative. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome, Beautysmartcare!
Hi, Good morning. Does this lather?? I oil my hair regularly. Will this remove the oil???
Hi Michelle, it won't lather in the same way that shampoo does. It is just a blend of rice water and optional essential oils so it's definitely not as thick as shampoo either. It should remove the oil, but you might want to use a little bit of shampoo to get rid of the oil too.
As a new user how long before i see new hair growth or how many months before my hair see growth.
Hi Rebeydory! You should notice improved hair growth in 1-3 months of using this method.