Whole dried sidr leaves harvested from the Ziziphus spina-christi tree, the plant also known as Christ's thorn, lote, or nabkh. This is loose leaf in its natural whole form, not a powder or extract, so you decide how finely to grind or steep it. A single-ingredient botanical with no additives, fillers, or added fragrance.
Traditionally used across the Middle East, Arabia, and Persia as a plant-based hair cleanser long before modern shampoo existed. The leaves are naturally rich in saponins, the gentle foaming compounds that let a sidr leaf rinse clean hair while keeping its natural oils. A long-standing base for a simple herbal hair care routine.
Sidr leaf also has a centuries-old role as a natural body wash and skin cleanser, valued for the mild lather its saponins create when mixed with water. Grind the dried leaf, blend with warm water into a soft paste, and use it much like a traditional herbal soap. Do a small patch test first, as with any new botanical on skin.
Easy to prepare from whole leaf. For a rinse, grind two to three tablespoons, whisk with warm water until frothy, let it stand, then apply and rinse out. The same dried leaves can be steeped in hot water as a mild, traditionally enjoyed herbal infusion. Keep the loose leaf in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
Sidr, or Christ's thorn, is a versatile botanical for home hair masks, face and body cleansers, and simple herbal steeps. Choosing whole leaf over pre-ground keeps its aroma and character intact until you need it. Packed for kitchen and bath, it suits natural cosmetic projects, henna and hair-mask blends, and everyday herbal use.
