diy recipes

kalyashastra · diy recipes

make it yourself.

simple diy recipes for your skin, hair, oral care and everyday wellbeing — using familiar ingredients and traditional practices.

some things were never meant to come in a bottle.

a handful of herbs. a spoon of flour. a little water. a few minutes of preparation.

traditional indian living has always known how to turn simple, familiar ingredients into everyday care.

our diy recipes bring these practices back into your hands — simple, practical preparations for hair, skin, oral care and everyday wellbeing, made with ingredients you can understand and trust.

and while making things yourself can be a beautiful part of living this way, we know everyday life is busy. that's why kalyashastra also brings you thoughtfully prepared versions of these traditional practices.

hair

kesha

amla–reetha–shikakai wash

overnight soak + 20–30 min boil

ingredients

  • dried amla 10 pieces
  • dried reetha (soap nut) 10 pods
  • shikakai powder 5 tbsp
  • water 1 litre

method

  1. soak all three in the water overnight.
  2. next morning, bring to a boil and simmer 20–30 minutes, until softened.
  3. strain, cool, and use as your wash. it won't lather like soap — it isn't supposed to.

caution: reetha can sting if it gets in the eyes. rinse carefully and keep away from children's faces.

want it ready instead? explore our reetha-shikakai hair wash

amla–shikakai hair oil

15–20 min on low heat

ingredients

  • amla powder 2 tbsp
  • reetha powder 2 tbsp
  • shikakai powder 2 tbsp
  • coconut or sesame oil 1 cup

method

  1. warm the oil on low heat. it should never smoke.
  2. stir in the three powders and cook gently for 15–20 minutes.
  3. cool completely, strain the solids, and store in a dry glass bottle.

caution: strain thoroughly so powder residue does not remain on the scalp. patch test before use.

don't have the time? explore our hair oil

skin

tvacha

everyday body ubtan

apply, let dry to matte, scrub off wet

ingredients

  • gram flour (besan) 1 cup
  • oatmeal, ground ½ cup
  • almonds, soaked & peeled 8–9
  • neem powder 1 tbsp
  • turmeric a pinch
  • fennel powder ½ tbsp
  • rose water or milk to bind

method

  1. grind the soaked almonds and mix with besan and oatmeal.
  2. stir in neem, turmeric and fennel powders.
  3. add rose water or milk until you have a thick, spreadable paste.
  4. apply, let dry to matte, then scrub off with wet hands before rinsing.

caution: patch test before use. turmeric may stain light fabrics and surfaces.

prefer it ready? explore our ubtan

sandalwood face ubtan

apply thin, rinse before fully dry

ingredients

  • sandalwood powder 1 tbsp
  • chickpea flour 3 tbsp
  • oatmeal, ground 1 tbsp
  • neem powder ½ tbsp
  • fennel powder ½ tbsp
  • turmeric a pinch
  • rose water or milk/yogurt to bind

method

  1. mix all dry ingredients together.
  2. add rose water, milk or yogurt to make a thin, even paste.
  3. apply to a clean face, avoiding the eye area, and rinse before fully dry.

caution: patch test first. avoid the eye area and stop use if irritation occurs.

the easier version: explore our face pack / ubtan

oral care

mukha shuddhi

clove & rock salt tooth powder

dry mix · store in a sealed jar

ingredients

  • neem powder 2 tbsp
  • rock salt, finely powdered 1 tbsp
  • clove powder 1 tsp
  • turmeric a pinch
  • black pepper a pinch

method

  1. combine everything and store dry in a sealed jar.
  2. use a small pinch on a wet finger or brush.

caution: rock salt must be ground fine. coarse crystals can damage enamel.

want the ready-to-use version? explore our tooth powder

sesame oil pulling

10–20 min · first thing in the morning

ingredients

  • sesame oil 1 tbsp

method

  1. use first thing in the morning, before brushing or eating.
  2. swish for 10–20 minutes. start with 5 minutes if you're new to it.
  3. spit into a bin or tissue, not the sink.

caution: do not swallow. oil pulling is not a replacement for brushing or regular dental care.

no product needed here. just a simple traditional practice.

a few honest notes before you start.

patch test anything new before using it on your face or body. traditional does not automatically mean risk-free.

these preparations are shared as traditional self-care practices, not as medical diagnoses or treatments. if you have a persistent skin, scalp or dental concern, speak with an appropriate professional.

and if making something yourself becomes a weekly ritual, beautiful. if it becomes one more thing on a busy morning, that's why kalyashastra makes thoughtfully prepared versions too.