Saridwat Prukpaphawin and Ploy Mallikamas couldn't agree more with the old saying: "Two heads are better than one." That's how the two friends started Zenze, a herbal shampoo business with ingredients purchased largely from centuries-old traditional herbal shops in Chinatown, which in turn source those ingredients from some of the most remote areas in China.
Ploy Mallikamas, left, and Saridwat Prukpaphawin.
Ploy, who also works as a travel columnist, manages the marketing, strategy and design, while Saridwat, who has a day job at the Crown Property Bureau, oversees product development.
Saridwat, whose mother once managed a herbal shampoo business, said the pair decided to start a business promoting herbal shampoos because of the beneficial plant and herb extracts that yield numerous positive results for the hair and scalp. Growing up with a wealth of knowledge on the advantages of traditional herbs, Saridwat has also learned of their benefits from veteran herbalists who have worked in royal development projects initiated by His Majesty the King.
"You can have these natural benefits and maintain healthy hair without having to put your body at risk by exposing it to harmful chemicals," he said. "Chemical-free shampoos might take time to show results, but at least they don't wreak havoc on our hair or bodies like regular shampoos, some of which contains harmful and synthetic chemicals."
Round-the-clock research and development helped the business partners see their dream materialise in the span of two years. Saridwat said the formulas for each of the company's six shampoo originated from his mother's treasure trove of knowledge.
Natural ingredients such as aloe vera, for example, can potentially be used as a safe and natural treatment to prevent hair loss and stimulate the production of new hair. Bergamot helps keep scalp infections at bay, as its oil contains antimicrobial properties. Sticky rice water is also used in some recipes to strengthen hair shafts and fill in cracks.
Saridwat said the benefits of olive oil goes far beyond hair growth — it also promotes a healthy scalp, as it is packed with antioxidants. In fact, he said, olive oil is believed to reduce damage done by overuse of styling products. It also naturally conditions hair and fights off fungi and bacteria.
Butterfly pea herb, he said, has been used in ancient Thai herbal medicine to treat hair loss and prematurely grey hair for decades. It works by promoting blood circulation in the scalp, nourishing and strengthening hair follicles.
Anthocyanin, pigments producing blue to red colouring in flowers and plants, can be found in butterfly pea flowers. They assist in blood circulation, especially in the scalp area, and contain natural antioxidants that improve blood circulation and help prevent hair loss and greying hair. Kaffir lime oil, which is a great hair and scalp cleanser, leaves hair black and shiny.
Ploy said coming up with a name for the product was relatively easy.
"Saridwat's son's nickname is Zenze, which in Japanese means 'teacher'. I felt it was befitting to use that name to honour the individuals who played a pivotal role in getting our product together. These individuals include His Majesty the King, the Supreme Patriarch and Saridwat's mother. We were able to gather valuable information from their research and projects on the benefits of traditional Thai herbs. Worth mentioning here is the royally-initiated Thai herb garden project, which was instrumental in offering us centuries-old information to use in our formula."
"Our efforts to build a herbal shampoo product line is really not about wanting to get rich quick, because frankly speaking, it will take a while for us to break even," she said. "It is more about keeping alive local wisdom, which we are passionate about."
"Our inspiration to start this business came from the passion to encourage Thais to know the value and benefit of herbs," she added. "Being able to do this has been a very rewarding experience."
