If you've ever purchased a product made to moisturize and nourish your hair and skin, chances are that it contains fenugreek oil. Instead of buying expensive conditioners, lotions, and creams that contain lots of fillers, it's better to make your own natural fenugreek oil. You only need fenugreek seeds and oil of your choice according to taste. Soak the fenugreek seeds until the oil becomes fragrant, then strain. Store the oil in the refrigerator until it's time to apply a small amount on your scalp or add it to other homemade beauty products.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Cold-Infusion of Fenugreek Oil
Step 1. Put the fenugreek seeds in a glass jar
Prepare a glass jar that can be closed tightly and pour enough of the fenugreek seeds to cover the bottom of the jar about 2.5 cm high. You can buy fenugreek seeds at health food stores or online marketplaces.
If you want to make the fenugreek oil stronger, crush the seeds a little with a mortar and pestle
Step 2. Pour in enough oil to soak the centipedes at least 2.5 cm high
You can use your favorite natural oil, such as olive, coconut, grapeseed, jojoba, or apricot oil. If you are using fenugreek oil to moisturize your skin or hair, match the oil to your skin condition.
For example, if you have dry skin, use an oil with extra moisture, such as avocado oil. If you have oily skin or hair, try using flaxseed or apricot oil, for example
Step 3. Close the jar tightly and leave it at room temperature for 3-6 weeks
Place the jars on the pans or windowsill and let the oil soak in. You can shake the jar once a day so that everything is submerged evenly.
The longer it is infused, the more concentrated and dark the oil will be
Variation:
To make sun-infused fenugreek oil, place the jar outside, in an area that gets direct sunlight. Shake the jar daily and let the oil infuse for 3 weeks.
Step 4. Strain the fenugreek oil using cheesecloth
Place a fine sieve over a bowl or measuring cup and place a few pieces of cheesecloth in the strainer. Open a jar of fenugreek oil and slowly pour it into a colander.
Remove the fenugreek seeds that remain on the cloth
Step 5. Pour into a clean bottle and store the fenugreek oil in the refrigerator for up to 1 month
Set aside a sieve and cotton cloth, then carefully pour the fenugreek oil into a new storage container. After that, close the container tightly and put the oil in the refrigerator.
- Keep the fenugreek oil away from direct sunlight and heat, as the oil can become rancid.
- Discard the fenugreek oil if it looks cloudy or moldy.
Method 2 of 2: Making Fenugreek Oil in a Slow Cooking Pot
Step 1. Place 100 grams (½ cup) of fenugreek seeds in a slow cooker
You can buy fenugreek seeds at health food stores or online market places.
Fenugreek seeds don't need to be crushed before putting them in the slow cooker
Variation:
If you wish, pour the oil and fenugreek seeds into a large jar for preservation. Place the jars in a double pot with boiling water underneath and steam for 5-10 minutes until the oil warms up. Remove the jar and allow the oil to infuse the fenugreek seeds for 1-2 days before straining.
Step 2. Pour 850 ml (3½ cups) of oil into a slow cooker
You can use almost any type of high-quality oil to make a fenugreek infusion. In a pinch, you can even use olive oil or coconut oil. If you use fenugreek oil to moisturize your hair or skin, choose an oil that suits your hair or skin type. For example, if you have:
- Oily skin or hair, use apricot, grapeseed, or flaxseed oil.
- Dry skin or hair, try almond, avocado, or jojoba oil.
- For sensitive skin, use jojoba oil, evening primrose, rosehip, or sunflower oil.
Step 3. Turn the slow cooker on the "Low" setting for 3-5 hours
Cover the pot and turn it on to the lowest setting. If the slow cooker has a "Warm" setting, use it instead of setting it to "Low". Turn off the pan after the oil has warmed up for a minimum of 3 hours or a maximum of 5 hours.
The oil will turn slightly golden if you initially use clear oil. Fenugreek oil will have a faint, bitter-sweet smell
Step 4. Strain the fenugreek oil and put it in a storage bottle
Turn off the slow cooker and place the cheesecloth in a fine sieve. Place the strainer over the bowl and carefully pour the warm oil into it. The cloth will hold the seeds in. After that, the oil can be transferred to a storage bottle with a tight lid.
Discard the fenugreek seeds left in the cloth
Step 5. Store the fenugreek oil in the refrigerator and use it within 1 month
Fenugreek oil can become rancid if placed in a place exposed to direct sunlight or a hot place. Store a container of fenugreek oil in the refrigerator and use it within a month of making it.
You can apply fenugreek oil to your skin to maintain moisture or massage it into your hair to moisturize it
Tips
You can use a combination of several different oils to infuse the fenugreek seeds, such as apricot oil and almond oil
Warning
- Do not use fenugreek oil if you are pregnant because it can cause contractions. If you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor about using fenugreek oil. More in-depth research is needed to determine whether fenugreek oil is safe to use.
- If you have hormone-sensitive cancer, consult your doctor before using fenugreek oil because it acts like the hormone oestrogen.
