Guide
Where to Buy Ayurvedic Hair Powders in the USA
In the US, single-ingredient Ayurvedic hair powders are easiest to find online and at South Asian grocers; check the pack for one ingredient, the botanical name, an origin and a date. Spierb isn't on sale in the US yet: it's coming to Amazon.com.
Shopping in Canada? See where to buy Ayurvedic hair powders in Canada.
The short answer: in the US, the easiest places to find single-ingredient Ayurvedic hair powders are online and South Asian grocers. Wherever you buy, judge the pack rather than the store: one ingredient, the plant's botanical name, a stated origin and a date you can count from. Spierb isn't on sale in the US yet. Spierb powders are coming to Amazon.com, and we haven't set a date.
What should you look for on the pack?
- One ingredient, listed in full. A single-herb powder declares one plant and nothing else. "Herbal blend" with no breakdown means you can't repeat a result or patch test it properly.
- The botanical name. Common names travel badly, so the Latin name is what tells you which plant you're getting.
- Where it's from. Not a guarantee on its own, but a seller who won't say is telling you something.
- A date. Plant powders fade with age, henna and indigo especially, so you need a date to judge how old it is.
| Powder | Botanical name to look for | Part used |
|---|---|---|
| Henna | Lawsonia inermis | Leaf |
| Indigo | Indigofera tinctoria | Leaf |
| Amla | Phyllanthus emblica (also Emblica officinalis) | Fruit |
| Bhringraj | Eclipta prostrata (also Eclipta alba) | Leaf |
| Brahmi | Bacopa monnieri | Leaf |
| Aritha (Reetha) | Sapindus mukorossi | Fruit |
| Shikakai | Acacia concinna | Fruit pod |
| Fuller's earth (multani mitti) | Solum Fullonum, a clay | Clay |
What does a genuine powder look and smell like?
Pure henna is muted green, olive or greenish-brown, not orange: the copper appears on your hair. Pure indigo is green or olive too, not blue. Amla is tan to olive-brown, and fuller's earth is a fine beige, buff or gray-green clay. Expect an earthy, leafy or mild clay smell; a perfumed powder has had something added. The texture should be fine, dry and free-running. None of this proves strength, so treat it as a quick check, not a grade.
Red flags, and what to do about each
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| "Black henna", "brown henna" or another shade name on a single herb: pure henna only gives copper-red, and some "black henna" contains PPD, a synthetic dye that can cause severe allergic reactions | Read the full ingredient list. Choose a henna that lists Lawsonia inermis leaf and nothing else. |
| A promise of black hair from one powder | Put it back. Plant black takes henna first, then indigo. |
| "Brahmi" with Centella asiatica (gotu kola) on the label | It's a different plant that shares the name. Look for Bacopa monnieri. |
| Fuller's earth sold for cleaning, absorbing spills or pet litter | Buy one sold for cosmetic use, with Solum Fullonum as the only ingredient. |
| Loose powder from an unlabeled sack | No ingredients, origin or date: skip it for anything you leave on your scalp or face. |
Where can you buy reetha (aritha), henna and other powders near you?
There isn't one dependable store to send you to. South Asian grocers often carry henna, amla, reetha and multani mitti, and some sell good material, but labeling and stock vary from store to store. Online usually gives more choice and a better chance of a fully labeled, dated single-ingredient powder, though you can't smell or feel it first. Whichever you choose, the checks above apply.
Where can I buy Fuller's Earth powder?
For your face or body, buy fuller's earth sold as a cosmetic powder, labeled Solum Fullonum, rather than an industrial or household grade. Online sellers and South Asian grocers are the usual places to look.
Where can I buy orange powder?
"Orange powder" can mean juice powder or a food flavoring, neither of which is made for skin. For a face mask, look for orange peel powder whose ingredient list reads Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Powder, which is sweet-orange peel.
What about Spierb in the US?
Spierb powders aren't on sale in the US yet: there's no checkout on spierb.com, and they aren't on Amazon.com yet. They're coming to Amazon.com, and we haven't set a date. Meanwhile, spierb.com shows the range for reference. Every Spierb powder is one ingredient, named on the pack, from India, and keeps for 2 years from the date of packaging if it stays sealed and dry. None is certified organic, and we don't say otherwise. Wherever you buy, patch test 24 to 48 hours before first use with the mix you plan to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Multani Mitti available in the USA?
Yes, from other sellers: you'll usually find it online and at South Asian grocers, as multani mitti or fuller's earth. Check that it's a cosmetic powder labeled Solum Fullonum. Spierb's isn't on sale in the US yet.
Where can I get original multani mitti?
"Original" means the clay itself, not a blend: the pack should say Solum Fullonum as the only ingredient. The name comes from Multan, but genuine multani mitti doesn't have to come from there; Spierb's is from Rajasthan, India.
Where can I find Fullers Earth?
Online and in South Asian grocers, often under the name multani mitti. Check that it's a cosmetic powder, not a household or industrial grade.
Where can I buy Bhringraj powder online?
From sellers that name Eclipta prostrata leaf on the pack. Our Bhringraj page explains what the powder is and how it's used.
Where can I buy good quality henna?
Wherever the pack lists one ingredient, Lawsonia inermis leaf, with a date and realistic color guidance: copper to red on its own, never instant black. A fine, dry powder mixes and rinses more easily.
Where can I find 100% natural henna powder?
Look past the word "natural" to the ingredient list: pure henna names Lawsonia inermis leaf and nothing else, with no dyes or metallic salts. The henna page explains the colors it gives.
Where can I buy indigo powder?
Online and in some South Asian grocers. Look for Indigofera tinctoria leaf as the only ingredient; a green powder is normal.
Where can you buy dried orange peel?
Dried peel and zest sold for cooking are made for food. For skin, choose a fine orange peel powder sold for cosmetic use, or make your own: how to make orange peel powder at home shows how.
