Ancient science and technology were underdeveloped. What did the ancients use to wash their hair?

Although ancient science and technology were underdeveloped, the ancients also paid great attention to hygiene. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, they had formed the habit of washing their hair once every three days and taking a bath once every five days, so the government gave them a day off every five days, which is also called "bathing". Ancient people often used rice washing water, Polyporus or Gleditsia sinensis to wash their hair.

In the pre-Qin period, people used the water for washing millet to wash their hair, which is the rice washing water in our life now. The water for washing grain contains alkaline components, which helps to separate oil stains. At the same time, rich water-soluble vitamins and minerals also help to maintain the scalp and hair, which can play a good cleaning and maintenance effect. Polyporus is used by rich people. Polyporus umbellatus adds some spices, which will have a strong aroma after use, just like the shampoo we use now.

Ordinary people generally choose to wash their hair with Gleditsia sinensis, a common tree in the north, and Gleditsia sinensis is the fruit of Gleditsia sinensis. Gleditsia sinensis is rich in saponins. Mashed and added with water, it can be used as shampoo, hand sanitizer, shower gel and even laundry detergent. If you pay attention, you can peel off the skin and seeds of Gleditsia sinensis, dry the meat of Gleditsia sinensis, soak it in hot water, and soak the effective ingredients out for use. Gleditsia sinensis soup is a good shampoo. At the latest in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Gleditsia sinensis has become a daily consumer product, completely commercialized, and can be bought in ordinary stores.

Therefore, although the technology was underdeveloped in ancient times, the ancients still found a way to wash their hair through their own wisdom. Even if both men and women have long hair, they can still keep clean and not greasy, and even emit fragrance.