How to Deal with Team Member Personalities

It only takes one difficult personality on a team to make the team unproductive and the team environment unpleasant for everyone else. There are ways to deal with these team members and hopefully get them back to being a constructive member of the team.

With proper guidance and coaching these bad apples can be shined up into good team members. There are always a few who do not turn around and for those there is always progressive discipline.

The Overly Talkative Team Member

This is usually a person who is one of four types.

1. An “eager beaver”
2. A show-off
3. Very knowledgeable and is anxious to show it off
4. Someone who does not recognize the responses of others in order to check their own behavior, (they can’t take the cue they are annoying).

How to Deal With Them

At times humor can be used to discourage people from dominating a discussion. be sure when the person stops talking you direct the conversation to another person. If the person’s behavior can’t be changed subtly, one member of the group should speak to the person privately and explain that while his/her enthusiasm is appreciated, it’s only fair to the whole group that every person gets an equal amount of air time.

The Quiet Team Member

This person my just be shy, bored, tired or unsure of themselves. Whatever the reason you may have someone who can contribute, but is not.

How to Deal With Them

Make a special effort to draw this person out: ask for their opinion on something; ask them something about themselves; tell the person you appreciate their participation. Slowing drawing them out into the open like this can unleash their potential contributions.

The Arguing Team Member

This is a person who is critical of ideas, the team and other team members. For whatever reason they disrupt the positive flow by arguing points. They may think they are a know-it-all who only thinks their way is the right way. They may feel under appreciated so they put down everyone else.

How to Deal With Them

If the person is critical of ideas, use that response to test the work the team is doing to see if this person is actually providing good feedback. If they are critical of others, tell them the effect that is having on both the team or individual team members. Be explicit about the fact that their behavior is harmful to the overall goals of the team.

The Complaining Team Member

This type of team member seems to have a pet peeve about everything. They may even complain just for the sake of complaining. Whatever deeply seated the roots of their behavior it is disruptive and leads to an unproductive team.

How to Deal With Them

Listen to the person’s complaint and if it is legitimate, set aside time to solve the problem. Point out that part of their work is to learn how to solve problems and that complaining does not offer constructive comment towards solving the problem. Ask the person to join with you to improve whatever is disturbing them.

Take Away

For a team to properly function as a team morale and professionalism are important. Your team does not have to be a bunch of choir boys, but they need to be productive members of the team. It only takes one bad personality type to disrupt the team chemistry.

Dealing with these four types is often as simple as sitting down and talking with them. They may not be aware that their behavior is an issue. You need to confront these people right away before it create a larger issue. Follow-up with coaching to be sure they stay on track.

5 Ways to Stay Positive in Negative Situations

We all face negative situations in our life. Someone may say something bad about you, or something you’ve worked hard on is rejected.

During these situations it is difficult to keep a positive attitude, but we are judged by our communications so staying positive is the professional way to react to an adverse situations.

Your natural inclination is to release your inner Hulk and bash. This type of negative reaction will only make  the circumstances worse with the those who caused it and you will end up filled with disappointment and anger.

You can beat negative situations by maintaining a positive attitude. The attitude you take when faced with a negative situation is a choice. In the business world maintaining a positive attitude in negative circumstances is a valuable skill to learn. It will keep your professional reputation intact and show you can handle any negative situation.

5 Rules to Help You Stay Positive

The way to beat a negative situation is to maintain a positive attitude. It is not easy and requires discipline on your part, but you can do it. At first you may not succeed every time so consider it a training program. Eventually you will learn to control your reactions out of habit.

Rule # 1 – Control Your Response

The golden rule of staying positive in a negative situation is to control your response. Take a deep breath, count to 10, do whatever it takes to remove yourself from the negativity. Wait until you calm down and have thought clearly about your response.

If you respond out of emotion you will only make things worse. Remember Thumper’s rule. “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.” This is good advice when you find yourself in a negative situation.

Negative situations are compounded when they cause you stress. Learn how to deal with stress to eliminate the extra negativity.

Rule # 2 – Learn From Negative Situations

Look at a negative situation or event as an opportunity to learn and grow personally. Albert Einstein said “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Don’t channel your energy into a negative reaction, but into something positive that will make the situation better, not worse.

If you do react in a negatively, note it and the circumstances that caused it. Learn from it by identifying the triggers that caused your reaction so you can watch for them in the future. Train yourself so you control the situation instead of allowing the situation to control your actions.

Rule # 3 – If You Make a Mistake, Admit it

We are human so we all make mistakes from time to time. When you do you need to step up and admit it. One thing I told my boss a long time ago was that if I ever made a mistake he would hear it from me first. If you make a mistake that leads to a negative situation, admit to it, learn from it and move on.

Rule # 4 – Maintain a Positive View

Don’t allow your opinion of someone to become jaded by a negative situation. Keep a positive view about a person or a situation and don’t jump to conclusions. Be proactive in dealing with adverse circumstances, not reactive. If the negativity is true see rule # 3. If not then affirm what you already know about yourself and your work.

When you are working under pressure it is hard to keep a positive attitude, but for a manager often pressure is part of the job. Learning how to work under pressure will help you overcome a source of negative situations.

Rule # 5 – Accentuate The Positive.

Remember that scene in The Jungle Book where Baloo breaks into a song about staying positive?

You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between

Words of wisdom from a dancing bear.

• Emphasize your positive attitude by your actions and in your words.
• Eliminate any negative thoughts generated from a negative situation. Nothing good is gained from a negative reaction.
• Affirm the positive truths you know to be true about yourself and your work.
• Don’t flip-flop between positive and negative. When negativity comes to you remove yourself from the situation, flip to the positive side and stay there.

Take Away

In the middle of writing this piece I had to put this into practice when the power went out for 2 1/2 hours during a thunderstorm. Rather than get mad because I had lost my writing time, I grabbed a notebook and started writing my to-do list for work tomorrow. A negative reaction to something beyond my control would have wasted time and energy.

Life will continuously present you with negative situations. You choose how you react to them. Rather than waste energy and your reputation by reacting negatively, learn to turn a negative situation into a positive. Don’t let the actions of others or circumstances turn you to the dark side of the workforce.

Keeping a  positive attitude in a negative situation is hard, but if you work at it you will learn to overcome your emotional reactions. Doing so will enhance your professional appearance and show that even under negative circumstances you can maintain control and deal with any issue in a positive way.

As a manager you need to teach these rules to your reports. If you have negativity coming from team members, learn how to deal with team member personalities.

10 Ways to Boost Work Productivity

Break time
Set your priorities

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-ways-to-boost-work-productivity/2

12 Things Killer Employees Do Before Noon

The best workers check these things off their to-do lists before lunch

By JADA A. GRAVES

August 8, 2012 RSS Feed Print

A recent study published in an American Psychological Association journal, Emotion, suggests that early birds are generally happier than night owls. More than 700 respondents, ranging from ages 17 to 79, were surveyed and asked about their emotional state, health, and preferred time of day. Self-professed "morning people" reported feeling happier and healthier than night owls. Researchers hypothesize that one of the reasons could be because society caters to a morning person's schedule.

It's certainly true that the working world does. Working "9-to-5" is more than an expression, but a standard shift for many Americans. It also stands to reason that those who like rising with the sun are also the most productive employees in the office.

Do you want to be more like them? Then take note of the tasks these high-functioning, productive, and more awake employees have completed before lunch:

1. They make a work to-do list the day before. Many swear by having a written to-do list, but not everyone agrees on when you need to compose it. According to Andrew Jensen, a business efficiency consultant with Sozo Firm in Shrewsbury, Pa., the opportune time to plan a day's tasks is the night before. "Some people like to do the to-do schedule in the morning, but then they might have already lost office time writing it out," he says. "It helps to do that to-do schedule the night before. It also will help you sleep better."

[In Pictures: 10 Ways to Boost Work Productivity.]

2. They get a full night's rest. Speaking of sleeping better ... lack of sleep affects your concentration level, and therefore, your productivity. Whatever your gold standard is for a "good night's rest," strive to meet it every work night. Most health experts advise getting a minimum eight hours of shut-eye each night.

3. They avoid hitting snooze. Petitioning for nine more minutes, then nine more, then another nine is a slippery slope that leads to falling back asleep and falling behind on your morning prep. Ultimately it also leads to lateness. "Anyone can be made into a morning person," Jensen says. "Anyone can make morning their most productive time. It could be that for the entire week, you set your alarm clock a little bit earlier, and you get out of bed on the first alarm. It may be a pain at first, but eventually you'll get to the point where you're getting your seven to eight hours of sleep at night, you're waking up with all your energy, and accomplishing the things around the house you need to before going to the office."

4. They exercise. Schedule your Pilates class for the a.m. instead of after work. "Exercise improves mood and energy levels," Jensen says. Not only that, but "there have been studies done on employees who've exercised before work or during the work day. Those employees have been found to have better time-management skills, and an improved mental sharpness. ... Those same studies found these workers are more patient with their peers."

5. They practice a morning ritual. Jensen also recommends instituting a morning routine aside from your exercise routine. Whether you opt to meditate, read the newspaper, or surf the Web, Jensen says "it's important to have that quiet time with just you."

6. They eat breakfast. Food provides the fuel you'll need to concentrate, and breakfast is particularly important since it recharges you after you've fasted all night. Try munching on something light and healthy in the morning, and avoid processed carbs that could zap your energy.

[See 7 Work Habits That Are Making You Sick.]

7. They arrive at the office on time. This one is obvious, right? Getting a full night's rest and keeping your sticky fingers off the snooze button should make No. 7 a cakewalk. If you're not a new employee, then you've already figured out the length of your average commute. Allot a safe amount of time to make it to work on schedule.

8. They check in with their boss and/or employees. We all know the cliche about the whole only being as good as the sum of its parts. In other words, if your closest work associates aren't productive, then neither are you. Good workers set priorities that align with their company's goals, and they're transparent about their progress.

9. They tackle the big projects first. You can dive right into work upon arriving in the office, since you made your to-do list the night before. And Jensen suggests starting with the hardest tasks. "Don't jump into meaningless projects when you're at your mental peak for the day," he says.

10. They avoid morning meetings. If you have any say on meeting times, schedule them in the afternoon. "You should use your prime skills during the prime time of the day. I believe that mornings are the most productive time," Jensen says, also noting that an employer who schedules morning meetings could rob his or her employees of their peak performance, and ultimately cost the company.

The exception to this, he adds, is if your meeting is the most important task of the day. "Sometimes you have to schedule a crucial meeting, or a client meeting, in which case you'd want to plan for a time when employees are at their peak."

11. They allot time for following up on messages. Discern between mindless email/voicemail checking and conducting important business. Jensen's company, Sozo Firm, advises clients that checking their inbox every couple of minutes takes time away from important tasks. Instead, set a schedule to check and respond to email in increments. Consider doing so at the top of each hour, to ensure that clients and colleagues receive prompt responses from you.

[See How to Use Your Work Email Efficiently.]

12. They take a mid-morning break. Get up and stretch your legs. Or stay seated and indulge in a little Internet surfing. According to Jensen, it's actually good to zone out on Facebook and Twitter or send a personal text message or two. "You should take 10-minute breaks occasionally," he says. "Companies that ban any kind of Facebook [use], texting, or personal calls can find it will be detrimental. Those practices increase employee satisfaction."

Just be sure not to abuse the privilege. "The best employees will respect their employer's time, and the worst-performing employees will find a way to waste time even if the company forbids personal Internet use," Jensen explains.

C# developer interview questions and answers

Takeaway: Software development hiring managers and potential interviewees will find these open-ended C# proficiency interview questions and answers useful.

Good help is hard to find. There is an art to finding a developer who fits well in your organization in terms of personality and work ethic; fortunately, it’s more straightforward to determine their technical expertise.

I worked at a couple of places where development managers loved drilling job candidates on syntax while having them write code, and it was clearly a stressful experience for the interviewee. I do not like asking specific syntax questions during interviews since most developers do not know language syntax or class names off the top of their heads.

In terms of the basic interview, I prefer to ask open-ended questions where the candidate can explain concepts and how they would attack problems. Some organizations like to give candidates tests or have them eyeball code snippets to spot problems, and I think those are good evaluation tools.

This is the first installment in our series of programming language-specific development interview questions and answers. Here is a list of questions (and the answers to those questions) that will help you get a feel for a candidate’s proficiency with C#. You can ask follow-up questions based on their replies.

What are namespaces, and how they are used?

Namespaces are used to organize classes within the .NET Framework. They dictate the logical structure of the code. They are analogous to Java packages, with the key difference being Java packages define the physical layout of source files (directory structure) while .NET namespaces do not. However, many developers follow this approach and organize their C# source files in directories that correlate with namespaces. The .NET Framework has namespaces defined for its many classes, such as System.Xml–these are utilized via the using statement. Namespaces are assigned to classes via the namespace keyword.

What is a constructor?

A constructor is a class member executed when an instance of the class is created. The constructor has the same name as the class, and it can be overloaded via different signatures. Constructors are used for initialization chores.

What is the GAC, and where is it located?

The GAC is the Global Assembly Cache. Shared assemblies reside in the GAC; this allows applications to share assemblies instead of having the assembly distributed with each application. Versioning allows multiple assembly versions to exist in the GAC–applications can specify version numbers in the config file. The gacutil command line tool is used to manage the GAC.

Why are strings in C# immutable?

Immutable means string values cannot be changed once they have been created. Any modification to a string value results in a completely new string instance, thus an inefficient use of memory and extraneous garbage collection. The mutable System.Text.StringBuilder class should be used when string values will change.

What is DLL Hell, and how does .NET solve it?

DLL Hell describes the difficulty in managing DLLs on a system; this includes multiple copies of a DLL, different versions, and so forth. When a DLL (or assembly) is loaded in .NET, it is loaded by name, version, and certificate. The assembly contains all of this information via its metadata. The GAC provides the solution, as you can have multiple versions of a DLL side-by-side.

How are methods overloaded?

Methods are overloaded via different signatures (number of parameters and types). Thus, you can overload a method by having different data types, different number of parameters, or a different order of parameters.

How do you prevent a class from being inherited?

The sealed keyword prohibits a class from being inherited.

What is the execution entry point for a C# console application?

The Main method.

How do you initiate a string without escaping each backslash?

You put an @ sign in front of the double-quoted string.

String ex = @"This has a carriage return\r\n"

What is the difference between a struct and a class?

Structs cannot be inherited. Structs are passed by value and not by reference. Structs are stored on the stack not the heap. The result is better performance with Structs.

What is a singleton?

A singleton is a design pattern used when only one instance of an object is created and shared; that is, it only allows one instance of itself to be created. Any attempt to create another instance simply returns a reference to the first one. Singleton classes are created by defining all class constructors as private. In addition, a private static member is created as the same type of the class, along with a public static member that returns an instance of the class. Here is a basic example:

public class SingletonExample {

private static SingletonExample _Instance;

private SingletonExample () { }

public static SingletonExample GetInstance() {

if (_Instance == null)  {

_Instance = new SingletonExample ();

}

return _Instance;

}

}

What is boxing?

Boxing is the process of explicitly converting a value type into a corresponding reference type. Basically, this involves creating a new object on the heap and placing the value there. Reversing the process is just as easy with unboxing, which converts the value in an object reference on the heap into a corresponding value type on the stack. The unboxing process begins by verifying that the recipient value type is equivalent to the boxed type. If the operation is permitted, the value is copied to the stack.

Instant Hair Conditioner: For single use - by Mrs. Rajam Murali

Ingedients:
Vendhayam - 1TS
Moong Dal - 1TS
Pungangai (remove the seed) - 1piece
Curds - 1ISPreparation:

Soak vendhayam, Moong dal and Pungangai in boiled water the previous night. The next day morning, grind all the 3 ingredients in Mixie and mix curds with the paste. Transfer the final paste into a bowl.

Application: Oil your Hair with either Coconut or Gingeley oil and comb nicely. Make 2 to 3 partitions and apply the paste over the scalp and keep it for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wash off with warm water without using Shampoo.

Benefits: The paste washes the Hair and gives good shine. It also prevents split ends and Dandruff too. This also gets rid of itching. This can be done twice a week.

FACE PACKS

Orange and Milk Face Pack for Normal Skin

You can make this pack with 10 s of orange juice and half tablespoon of fresh milk cream. Apply the pack and let it dry for half an hour. Wash your face with clean water and this natural face pack for normal skin will make your skin smooth.

Potato Face Pack for Normal Skin

You just have to take one grated fresh potato and squeeze out the extract from it. Now, mix this potato juice with a little bit of lemon juice. Pour a little bit of juice on a piece of cotton and apply it on your face. Keep it for 5 minutes and then wash it off. This is perhaps the most time saving pack among the natural face packs for normal skin.

Wheat Flour Face Pack for Normal Skin

This is definitely the easiest face pack to make among the natural face packs for normal skin and you just need to make a paste of wheat flour and milk. Rub the pack on your face and let the pack dry for 15 minutes. Then, take off this wheat paste. It will soften and clean your skin.

Fruit Face Pack for Normal Skin

Make a paste of grapes, orange, strawberries, apples and peer and add few s of honey to it. Apply the pack on your face and leave it for half an hour. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. You can even apply a pack of orange peels soaked in curd and leave the pack for 20 minutes to dry and then wash it with cold water.

Make a paste with a ripe papaya. Apply on the face and wash after 20 minutes.

Take one cup of curd. Add the juice of two lime to it and make a mixture. Apply it on the face. After half an hour wash the face with cold water.

Make a paste with one lime, 1/2 an orange and a cup of curd. Apply this pack on the face and wash it after 20 minutes

Make a paste with cucumber and coconut water. Apply on the face and wash after some time.

Apply a paste with raw plantain and strawberry on the face. The face will look fresh.

Make a paste with turmeric and sandal. Apply it on the face. It helps to remove pimples and other marks on the face.

Take two carrots, one egg white and half cup of ,milk Grate the carrot and add the egg white and milk. Apply this mixture on the face for 20 minutes.

Take one piece of ripped papaya, Half teaspoon honey, one spoon milk cream. Mix all these ingredients and make it as a paste. Apply this paste for 25 minutes and rinse off.

Make a paste with a handful of thulasi(basil), a handful of pudhina(mint), a piece of cucumber and a handful of curry leaf and apply on the face and wash it off after some time.

Soak 10 almonds for an overnight and peal the skin. Make a paste with these almonds, a handful of rose petals. Apply the mixture on the face. After 30 minutes massage the face with wet hands and wash the face.

MEHANDI LEAVES USE

Here are some natural way to make and maintain your hair soft and silky.

Hot oil Massage - Treatment to make your hair soft and reduce hair fall

Hot oil massage is the most sought method to make your hair soft and to reduce hair fall. Take equal amount of coconut oil and olive oil. Heat the oil. Add 6 peppers in the hot oil. When the pepper start cracking, switch off the stove. Wait until the heat is tolerable by you. Then dip a cotton in the oil and massage the oil on the scalp with the cotton. Apply liberally on the scalp. Massage with your finger tips. Wrap a towel on the head covering the hair. This will give heat to the hair and will help the hair to absorb more oil and hence moisturising the hair. Leave it on for 2 hours. Then wash your hair. This will give you a smooth and silky hair.

Curd and Fenugreek (vendhayam) for hair care

One more well known method is using curd and fenugreek seeds(vendhayam) .   Soak fenugreek seed in curd at night. Let it be soaked for the whole night. In the morning grind the fenugreek seeds along with the curd. Make it into fine paste. Apply this paste on the scalp and hair. This paste will be sticky because of fenugreek. Fenugreek and curd will give softness to the hair. Leave it for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with shampoo. Wash it thoroughly to remove the fenugreek fully. This method not only gives a soft and silkiness for your hair but is also a good antidandruff treatment for the hair.

Hibiscus Leaves (sembaruti leaves) - get soft and silky hair

Hibscus(sembaruti) leaves are the ancient method to make the hair of women soft and silky. Take the leaves of hibiscus (15 - 20 leaves if the leaves are big). Using little waterm grind the leaves to make it to a fine paste. Apply this paste on the scalp and to the full length of the hair. Let this be on hair for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with shikakai powder or shampoo. Dry with a soft towel. You can see immediate result when trying this method. You can feel the softness in your hair, when the hair is fully dry. It is also believed that this natural method will improve hair growth.

Coconut milk with Lime - Hair Care

Coconut oil is always one of the key ingredients in hair care. Coconut milk also has the same importance in hair care. Blend grated coconut in a mixer. Extract thick coconut milk. Take 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Add the lime juice to the coconut milk. Leave this mixture for 10 minutes, so that both will get mixed well. Then apply this liquid on the scalp and hair. This can be left on hair for 30 minutes before washing with regular shampoo. Lime is a coolant, so those having cold or fever or sinus should be careful when using lime juice. Coconut milk and lime will give a glossy and silky effect for the hair naturally.

Egg with oil 

Egg is a natural hair care product. Egg is used to repair dry and dull hair. Beat 2 egss until it froths. Then add a table spoon of coconut oil or olive oil to it. Again beat it, so that the oil and the egg blends together. If needed, you can add a tablespoon of curd to this and blend it together. Apply this mixture on the scalp and hair. Leave it on the hair for 1 hour. Then wash it normally with the regular shampoo. This egg and oil treatment gives you bouncing hair.

a good and safe way for silky and straight hairs would be mehendi with curd.
But the mehendi must be the natural one not that which are sold in packets.
Actually the mehandi in those packets have some colour in them which is not good for silky hairs.
What you need to do is take the mehandi leaves and grind it &then mix the curd in it and apply it on your hairs.
you will see some difference.
do this every weak.

http://www.a1tamilnadu.com/hair-care-get-silky-hair/681/#.UCeFVKHia1k

AMLA TREATMENT

1. • Mix about 1/2 cup of pure amla (Indian gooseberry) powder with enough warm water to make a paste. The paste should be about as thick as a cup of stirred yogurt. Let the mixture stand for 10 to 15 minutes.
   • 2
     Apply the paste to dry, clean hair using your hands (rubber gloves are recommended but not absolutely necessary; amla does not stain), starting close to your scalp and working toward the ends of your hair. Be gentle and do not rub the mixture into your scalp.
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   • 3
     Let the paste sit on your head, uncovered, for three to five minutes. The amla mixture should be thick enough that it doesn't drip. Rinse the paste out with lukewarm water. Do not apply your regular conditioner or shampoo for a few hours.
   • 4
     Treat your hair with the amla powder mixture about once every two weeks. Between treatments, try using a shampoo and conditioner containing amla. You also can use amla oil on your hair between treatments for extra shine and softness.

Read more: How to Use Amla (Indian Gooseberry ) For Thick, Shiny, Healthy Hair | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5198712_use-thick-shiny-healthy-hair.html#ixzz23KKB51Rb

oil - hair

Rosemary Hot Oil Treatment

• 1

  

  Mix 1/2 cup each of dried rosemary leaves and soybean oil in a pot. Heat the herb and oil until it's warm to the touch. Remove the pot from the heat.
• 2
  Place the cheesecloth over the bowl so the edges of the cloth are hanging over the rim. Pour your rosemary oil treatment into the bowl through the cheesecloth. Lift the cheesecloth so the oil goes through to the bottom of the bowl and the dried rosemary leaves remain in the cheesecloth to be discarded.
• Sponsored Links

  • Illusion Hair Building Fi
    Made of natural keratin protein Healthy head of hair in an instan
    illusionhairbuildingfibers.com
• 3
  Apply your rosemary herbal oil treatment to your hair and scalp, making sure to coat your hair from roots to ends.
• 4
  Pile your hair up on your head and wrap your head in plastic wrap. Wrap a towel around your head to keep the herbal oil treatment warm while it's on your hair and scalp. Allow the rosemary herbal oil treatment to remain on your hair for at least 15 minutes, then shampoo until all the oil is removed.

Curry Herbal Oil Treatment

• 5

  

  Combine 1/2 cup of coconut oil and two strands of dried curry leaves in a pot and heat until warm to the touch.
• 6
  Allow the oil to cool a little, then crush the curry leaves using your fingers. Strain the curry herbal hair oil treatment into a bowl, using cheesecloth as a strainer. Discard the curry leaves.
• 7
  Smooth your curry herbal hair oil treatment into your hair and scalp. Massage the oil into your hair, making sure to coat it well. Wrap your head first in plastic wrap, followed by a towel.
• 8
  Leave the curry herbal hair oil treatment on your hair for a minimum of 15 minutes. The curry hair oil treatment will add moisture to hair that's dry and discolored. Wash your hair thoroughly with your normal shampoo to remove all the oil.

Read more: How to Prepare Herbal Hair Oil | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6596766_prepare-herbal-hair-oil.html#ixzz23KJG6ujF

Hair care

Wash well & grind fine, fresh curry leaves, as fine as possible with minimum water.

Along with curry leaves you can also add marudhani leaves(henna leaves)

For 2 cups of coconut oil lemon size of paste is correct.

Mix both in a kadai & put on fire.

Heat on a low flame till the paste settles at the bottom of the kadai.

Let it stand for 24 hrs.

Then strain the oil & use.

1 or 2 granules of edible camphor can be added to mask the prominent smell of coconut oil & curry leaves.

Application of this oil is good for hair-growth as well as to prevernt premature hair-greying.

---

Curd is a very good conditioner for hair. Apply mehandhi powder with curd or apply fenugreek powder with curd to the hair and rinse to get shiny beautiful hair.

---

Mix two egg whites with henna(marudhani) and a teaspoon of coffee powder. It you have dry hair , add some oil and curd to the mixture. If possible, make this mixture in an iron container and leave it the whole night, without adding egg white. In the morning add the egg white and apply it all over the hair and leave it for 1-2 hours.

Then wash it off with mild shampoo. Egg white acts as a conditioner and gives a shine to dull hair. Do it every week for 10 weeks to make dull hair into a shining hair.

---

Take 4 teaspoons of (2 tsp of coconut oil and 2 tsp of gingelly oil) and heat it in low flame. When it is hot, add 7 peppers in it. When it starts spluttering, turn off the heat. Allow it to cool until it is bearable in your hands. Then apply it on the scalp and the hair. Leave it for 1/2 an hour. Then wash it off with shampoo.

This is best for dandruff cure and hair fall.

---

Dry goose berries and make it into a powder. Add this powder in coconut oil and allow it to boil. When it is boiled well, filter the coconut oil and use it regularly. regular use of this oil controls hair fall and greying of hair.

long hair

Indians believe that the health of the hair, skin, and nails indicates the health of the person, and that someone with unhealthy hair needs to manage their diet better. Specifically they lack protein (Indians generally recommend milk protein to remedy this--especially yogurt), and fruits and vegetables. The ideal exercise according to Ayurvedic practitioners is walking.

Traditional Indian health theory involves balancing the various body types (dosha), of which there are three general types. This involves diet, exercise, lifestyle, and in some cases herbal treatments. For more information on Ayurvedic theory you may want to read ''Essential Ayurveda'' by Shubhra Krishan or ''The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies'' by Vasant Lad. Both of these books explain the theory of the doshas and recommend lifestyle choices to maximize health.

Most herbs used in Indian hair and skin care (yes many of the herbs below are also good for your skin!) are good for everyone, regardless of dosha. If you have particular problems or concerns, you may want to contact an Ayurvedic practitioner for a professional consultation.

Generally using herbs for healthy hair maintenance involves some kind of oiling (see below) and an herbal wash. You may also add an herbal rinse. The wash and rinse can be one mixture, or used separately, but together they should contain at least one cleansing agent (such as shikakai or aritha/reetha and one conditioning agent such as amla). Some Indians also use rice starch as a type of natural emulsifier to bind the herb powders together and make them easier to apply and rinse out.

Indian women tend to oil their hair daily or every other day, and to wear their hair in a single braid or a bun. Very rarely do they wear their hair down.

Please keep reading for some wash and rinse recipes and advice, and for tips on oils and oiling, and some information on the various herbs and commercial products that you can use with Indian herbal hair care.



Basic Washes
compiled by violetflowers

Icydove's Wash Mix

2 tbsp. shikakai powder
2 tbsp. amla powder

Add 4 cups of hot tap or heated water to powdered herbs. Allow to steep until comfortably warm (at least 5 minutes), strain ( use a metal coffee filter), and pour tea over wet hair and massage in. You can do a highly diluted ACV rinse. The amla is conditioning, but for a little extra boost, apply coconut oil as a prewash treatment and apply a conditioning rinse after washing.

Shell's Wash Mix

2 tablespoons of shikakai or aritha (I have come to prefer aritha as I feel it is milder)
3 tablespoons of amla (optional)

Mix together with warm water and let sit for 5-15 minutes. Use as a paste. Apply to scalp and hair, distribute/massage very gently, and let sit for 5-15 minutes. Massage gently again and then rinse thoroughly.

Pre-washing oiling is advised anytime you use shikakai. Follow this up with an AVC rinse and some post wash oiling.


mira-chan's Indian herb hair gravy

whole aritha – 3 to 5 berries
whole amla – 1 to 2 tablespoons
whole hibiscus – 4- 6 flowers

Boil in two cups of water till about a cup boils out. Strain. Then put on a low heat and add arrowroot starch (mixed with cool water so it doesn’t clump) and mix until it turns to a gravy consistency. Let cool and use. Will last a week at most with refrigeration. (Acts similarly to Dianyla’s herb gravy)


Epiphanee's Wash Mix

Use 1 tablespoon of shikakai powder and mix it up with about 3 cups of water until it is a thin paste (as opposed to a thick mud).

Apply the paste to your scalp and hair length - everywhere that you have applied coconut oil.

Just apply the paste and don't "massage" it in. It is very slightly abrasive so massaging it in would not be good for the hair shaft.

Leave for 10 - 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Neoma's Purple Sludge Mix

1 tablespoon amla powder
2 tablespoons shikakai powder
2 tablespoons methi powder
2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers

Pour a cup of boiling water over the first three ingredients. Put the hibiscus in a tea ball and add them to the rest of the brew. Cover and steep 30 minutes. Remove the tea ball.

You can use it as soon as it cools sufficiently or keep it a few days in the fridge. I always use it on oiled hair. Finger-comb in the shower under running water to remove the herbal debris. May stain light hair or surfaces.

Leia's Herbal Wash and Condition

1 tablespoon bhringraj
1 tablespoon amla
1 tablespoon aritha
1 tablespoon neem
2 tablespoons shikakai
2 tablespoons sandalwood

Mix a little with boiling water, wait for it to cool a bit, and apply the paste to hair and scalp (sometimes after oiling with olive oil); leave on all night. You may use a bowl to catch the runoff and rinse again in the morning.

Violetflower's Wash Mix I

1 dessert spoon of amla powder
1 dessert spoon of shikakai powder
1 dessert spoon of cassia obovata
6 dessert spoons of my soapnut shampoo

Massaged a small handful into dry hair, wet hair, then aplly the remainder, making sure that to cover all hair root to tip, massage scalp gently, then wrap cling film around hair for about 10 minutes. Rinse.

Violetflower's Wash Mix II

1.5 dessert spoons of amla
1 dessert spoon shikakai
1 dessert spoon of aritha
1 dessert spoon orange peel
1 dessert spoon brahmi
1 dessert spoon neem
1 dessert spoon tulsi
2 dessert spoons kapoor kachli
2 dessert spoons maka
3 dessert spoons marsh mallow
1 and a half teaspoons of virgin coconut oil.

Wash as usual--makes hair very shiny!


Conditioning Mixes That May Be Used As Gentle Washes
compiled by mira-chan and Shell


Mira-chan's Mild Wash Mix I


Take half a cup of fresh hibiscus leaves and crush them. The boil them in about a cup of water for 20 minutes. Strain, let cook and use as shampoo. The hibiscus leaf wash is not to be used post oiling or on oily hair unless it is very concentrated. It will not remove much oil. It mostly acts as an anti-dryness barrier.


Mira-chan's Mild Wash Mix II

Take two table spoons of powdered hibiscus flowers, mix with a cup of boiling water. Let cool. Apply to hair and leave for 5 to 20 minutes. Rinse well. Gives shine and cleans non-oiled hair well. Would be good for those who want to wash very often (daily or every other day) or for non-oiled naturally dry hair/ scalp.

Shell's Herbal CO

Use three tablespoons of amla in about two cups of warm water. Let sit for 5-15 minutes. Apply to hair and scalp. Gently massage scalp with a bit of water splashed on. Leave in for 15 minutes or so. Won't remove any but a very light oiling. Nicely conditioning and gently cleansing. Also makes your hair smell nice.


Rinses and Conditioners
compiled by Icydove

Traditionally, prewash oilings and using conditioning herbs in the washing mix serve as the Indian herb user's only conditioners. However, some people use Indian herbs for additional conditioning needs or for deep treatments.


Icydove's Herbal Rinse

1 heaping tsp. of hibiscus
1 heaping tsp. of elderflower
1/2 tsp. of honey
Add the herbs and honey to two cups of hot water. Let steep for about 5 minutes, and strain. Dunk ends in the mixture, then pour it over head. Rinse lightly to prevent the hibiscus from staining. TIP: Use the mixture while the water is still warm or the honey could stiffen hair. Use aloe vera gel and jojoba oil mixed together as a leave-in.


mira-chan's Hibiscus Conditioner

3-4 flowers of hibiscus
one tablespoon fenugreek seeds ( coarse powder or just crushed)
1 table spoon of arrowroot powder/ starch.

Mix arrowroot powder with a little bit of cool water. Make a large mug worth of strong tea with hibiscus and fenugreek. Strain then add arrowroot. Allow to cool then use as a conditioning rinse.

Kissedbyfire's Indian Herbal Wash/Condition

1 tablespoon neem
1 tablespoon shikakai
1 tablespoon aritha
1 tablespoon amla
1 tablespoon sandlewood
1 tablespoon brahmi
1 tablespoon hibiscus
2 tablespoon marshmallow root
1 cup tea (rosemary, chamomile, lavendar, etc.)

Allow tea to simmer while mixing up the herbs. Add tea to herb mixture, mix well. Let cool to a warm temperature and apply.

Start with an avc rinse, then dry hair. Apply mix to slightly damp hair and scalp, and massage. Let sit for an hour wrapped in a plastic bag. Rinse.


Oils and Oiling Techniques
compiled by mira-chan

Why oil? Oils are used as a protective conditioner and for treating problems of hair growth and both hair and scalp condition. They can be used daily to protect hair from the elements. Herbal oils are applied to the scalp daily or pre-wash to treat scalp conditions. More thorough scalp and length oiling is done pre-wash as a conditioner to protect the hair from the drying effects of the cleansing herbs and water.

Herbal oils are chosen depending on condition of the scalp and used either together or separately. They are applied on non wash days in the evening or at least 30 minutes before washing to let the herb act on the scalp.

Pre-wash oiling is done on dry hair at least 30 minutes before washing. Non- wash day oiling can be done on dry or damp (misted) hair depending on how hair reacts to oiling. Amount used depends on hair length and how much oil the hair absorbs. Start with small amounts and increase as needed.

Post wash oiling is done on dry or damp hair depending on the hair reaction to oils. Only a small amount is used. It helps in detangling and shine, similar to a leave-in conditioner.

Which oils might be right for you?

Coconut -– cooling oil

Used for scalp and length of hair, the body, and for cooking. Herbs can be infused in it, flavoring/scenting the infusion by immersing oils in it and letting it sit in the sun without high heat as heat from cooking a long time will alter the properties of unrefined coconut oil slightly. Prevents protein loss from hair during washing.
Applied both pre-wash and on the days between washing.

For dry or damaged ends: Wet/ mist the ends of the hair and liberally apply coconut oil, then braid. Let the oil soak in for at least a day.

Sesame –– Warming/ neutral oil

Commonly used for hair and cooking. The best oil to use when infusing other herbs by cooking. Can be applied between washing but, referred as a pre-wash oil as it has a stronger scent than coconut.

Mustard -– warming oil

It is used more in Northern India, for the scalp and for medicinal body massages. It brings circulation to the scalp due to its mild irritating properties, similar to cayenne pepper. It has anti-bacterial properties. Do not try to infuse herbs in this by heating as it produces noxious fumes. Applied pre-wash to scalp only. Has a strong scent.


Amla Oil -- cooling oil

Conditioning astringent. A cooling, pitta soothing oil. Used for hair loss, premature graying, strengthens the roots, reduces dandruff. Prevents split ends. A small amount is applied to hair and scalp after washing or massaged in pre-wash. Promotes sound sleep when massaged into the scalp.

Brahmi Gatu Kola (Bacopa monnieri)

Herb infused in oil. A cooling, pitta soothing oil.
Used to combat dandruff and dry scalp.

Bringraj (Eclipta alba)

Oil of the herbs called the king of herbs for hair infused into oil such as sesame. Aids in hair growth. Used for prevention of premature balding, and helps with sun damaged and color treated hair. Massage into the scalp pre-wash.


Commercial Products
compiled by Shell

Indian women, like women everywhere, want to take good care of their hair using the best ingredients, but they also want the convenience of prepared commercial products. The following links will take you outside of this page to learn more about commercial options in Indian Herbal hair care. Many people here at TLHC have used these products.

One quite popular brand is Dabur. They make a variety of oils and shampoos, a few of which I will highlight here. Please be sure to click on their website for more in-depth information. All information on their products comes from their page.

Dabur Amla Oil is described by its manufacturer thusly: "...a scientific blend of the purest mineral and vegetable oils. Mixed hygienically in the correct ratio these oils nurture the scalp, give hair a luxurient glossy look, keep them silky and long, and prevent hair damage from the extremities of weather, premature graying & falling of hair. When massaged into the scalp it relaxes the mind, eases out stress and promotes sleep. It also nourishes and strengthens the hair roots." A lighter formula of this oil is also available.

Dabur Vatika Oil is described by its manufacturer thusly: "...a premium coconut hair oil enriched with Henna, Amla (Indian Gooseberry), Lemon and five other trusted herbs. Vatika's unique natural formulation ensures deeper oil penetration. Giving your hair and scalp complete nourishment for problem free, healthy hair. While Henna forms a protective coat to prevent oxidation, Amla strengthens the hair-roots and the astringent action of Lemon prevents dandruff."

Dabur Special Hair Oil s described by its manufacturer thusly: "...a non-sticky light hair oil with the goodness of Lemon and Hibiscus. Lemon gives hair a natural shine while Hibiscus and other natural ingredients strengthen the roots and nourish the hair from deep within - making them thick, lustrous and healthy." It also contains rosemary.

Dabur Jasmine Hair Oil is described by its manufacturer thusly: "For ages, the enchanting fragrance of Jasmine has spellbound people. Dabur Jasmine Hair Oil has the same fragrant goodness of Jasmine. That gives your hair a new life and makes them long, thick and beautiful." Jasmine is the only ingredient listed.

The Dabur company also makes a variety of shampoos for all hair types, including a dandruff shampoo. The ingredients of their shampoos are similar to western commercial products (including SLS) with Indian herbs added.

Song of India Herbal Shampoo comes in both liquid and powdered forms. Contains oils and herbal extracts. The powdered form supposedly contains no preservatives, but I couldn't get ingredient lists for either product.

Shikakai Shampoo Bar: this appears to made of shikakai and saponified oils. It contains no animal products and doesn't list any SLS.

Hesh Ayumix Shikakai, Neem, and Amla Shampoo Bar is a product for those looking for convenience and Indian herbs. See Keenkitty's review linked below.

Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar Neem Plus5 80g Auromere is described by its manufacturer thusly: "This unique Ayurvedic formula in a handy bar includes Neem, the premier herb for skin and scalp, plus 5 other potent herbal extracts: Reetha, Shikakai, Henna, Amla and Methi, all prized for their natural cleansing, nourishing and rejuvenating effect on the hair and scalp. Recommended for all types of hair: (Vata-Pitta-Kapha body types).

Ingredients: Coconut oil, Palmyra oil, Castor oil, Alkali,Wax, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (from Coconut oil), Cocoamidopropyl Amino Oxide (from Coconut oil), Sandalwood fragrance, Soya Lecithin, Neem, Reetha (Indian Filbert/Soapnut), Shikakai (Acacia cancinna), Henna, Amla (Indian Gooseberry), Methi (Fenugreek).

Neem oil is commonly used in India for dandruff control and against lice. This site sells an organic variety

Meera Herbal Hair Wash Powder: Ingredients listed (courtesy of naj): shikakai, aritha, tulsi, hibiscus,vetiver, green gram,and fenugreek.

New Meera Gold Powder Ingredients listed (courtesy of LittleFlower): Phaseolus mungo - (black gram, green gram, or mung bean), hibiscus, shikakai, tulsi, usilai, vaagai, sirisa, vetiver,fenugreek (methi)

Both of the Meera products are herbs packaged in jars or sachets for traditional Indian hair washing. Both are shikakai based. Reports are that it lathers though, and that may mean that other ingredients are in the powder than are listed. This is reported an issue with some Indian commercial products. Both may contain fragrance oils. See [url=http://www.cavinkare.com/meerapowder.html[/url] for more information and for ordering.

Meera Herbal Oil contains a variety of beneficial herbs in a base of coconut and mineral oils. The herbs continue steeping in the oil through an innovative cylinder in the bottle.


Ingredients
compiled by mira-chan and Shell

Albizia amara- usilai, vaagai, sirisa
For dandruff.

Amla (Emblica officinalis)
The herb is an astringent, helps dye uptake, a conditioner and is mildly acidic (high in Vitamin C).

Aritha/Reetha soapnut (Sapindus trifoliatus)
Cleansing, can leave hair a bit stiff. Aritha - can be used whole, fresh or dried, boiled then let stand of a night, as a shampoo on their own. It can also be used as a gentle fabric detergent. Some recommend it for use with shikakai and amla.

Brahmi Gatu Kola (Bacopa monnieri)
Used for skin diseases. When used as a paste promotes growth and is anti dandruff. Similar to the oil.

Bringraj (Eclipta alba)
Aids in hair growth. Used for prevention of premature balding, and helps with sun damaged and color treated hair. Bringraj herb and oil have similar properties.

Hibiscus (Rosa sinensis)
Mild cleansing agent, promotes hair growth, softens and conditions. Hibiscus - possibility of it staining light porous hair a slight red.

Jatamansi--Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
An essential oil usually mixed with sesame oil. It helps in growth and darkening of hair, prevents hair loss and premature graying. It is good for dry hair and scalp. It is used as a nerve sedative by massaging it into the scalp.

Kapoor Kachii
used for fragrance.

Methi fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)
Very conditioning, can be used as a gelling agent in mixes for the slime factor. Gives shine to hair. Also good for dandruff and hair loss.

Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Anti fungal, anti bacterial herb. Can have an unpleasant smell if infused in oil. The herb itself has a neutral smell. It works in killing of and protection against lice, fungal caused dandruff, and any infection caused skin conditions. Helps treat eczema. Natural insecticide and fungicide.

Orange Peel (Citrus aurantium)
A mild astringent used for skin. Makes hair soft, manageable, shiny, and supple.

Phaseolus Mungo -- black gram, green gram, mung bean
Cooling agent.

Rose Powder (Rosa alba)
Cooling, soothing, and cures skin irritations. Fragrant.

Sandalwood--red (Pterocarpus santalinus)
Cooling and soothing herb. do not confuse with yellow sandalwood, which is prized for its lovely scent.

Sandalwood--yellow
Purifying and soothing. Good for normal to oily hair in a hair mix (not a lot, has a simialr consistence to clay cleaners). Good as a face mask

Shikakai/Sheekakai (Acacia concinna)
Cleansing agent. Can be drying. Use with oils or a conditioning herb.

Triphala/Trifala
triphala - mix of Amla, Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) - promotes hair growth

Tulsi--holy basil (Ocimum sanctum)
Treats ringworm and other skin diseases, protects skin from environmental damage

Vetiver (Vetivera zizanioides)
A cooling herb, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


"How do I get rid of the bits of herbs in my hair?"

There are a few standard methods to remove excess herb debris that is left after rinsing:
1) Strain the herbs so there isn't much left to remove
2) Use lots of conditioner
3) Soak hair in a bucket, filled sink or mermaid soak in a bath tub
4) After hair dries, brush out or shake out the excess herb bits. You can hold your ends and shake your hair to get out the bits. It works pretty well.

"Will Indian herbs darken my hair?"

In general, most people do not experience darkening when using Indian herbs. Factors that can increase the possibility of herbs darkening include leaving on the herbs for a long period of time and cooking herbs for extended amounts of time before application. People with light-colored hair are more likely to notice a color change, so strand testing is advised. You many find that oiling makes your hair darker, or redder. Oiling may also increase drying time.

"Where can I buy Indian herbs?"

Indian groceries are typically the least expensive place to buy Indian herbs, although the age of the stock widely varies from store to store. You can locate the Indian grocery closest to you by checking phone listings under ethnic groceries. Bulk herb and organic/natural food groceries sometimes carry herbs like hibiscus and fenugreek in their tea sections. Indian herbs are also available via the Internet.

"How much oil should I apply to my hair before washing with Indian herbs?"

It is usually helpful to start off with small amounts of oil and work toward an optimal amount. A light oiling can consist of a thumbnail-sized amount or less of coconut oil or 1/2 tsp. or less of a liquid oil. Giving the oil time to soak in before washing can help ensure a thorough removal by the herbs.

"Can I rotate Indian herbs with other methods?"

Yes, of course you can. If you like, you can use Indian herbs as your only method, along with other products, or just as an occasional deep treatment.