Here's a simple method to make hair oil with onion and curry leaves to potentially benefit your hair:
Ingredients:
- 1-2 medium sized onions
- A handful of curry leaves
- Carrier oil (Coconut, olive, or almond oil are good choices)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Onion and Curry Leaves: Roughly chop the onions. Place the chopped onions and curry leaves in a blender.
- Create a Paste: Blend the onion and curry leaves together until it forms a thick paste. Avoid adding water if possible; the onion should provide enough moisture.
- Infuse the Oil (Method 1 - Hot Infusion):
- In a pan, heat approximately 1 cup of your chosen carrier oil over low heat.
- Add the onion and curry leaf paste to the oil.
- Simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to burn the paste. The oil will gradually turn a brownish color.
- Remove from heat and allow the oil to cool completely.
- Infuse the Oil (Method 2 - Cold Infusion - Slower but retains more nutrients):
- Place the onion and curry leaf paste into a clean, dry glass jar.
- Pour the carrier oil over the paste, ensuring the paste is fully submerged.
- Seal the jar tightly and place it in a sunny location for 2-3 weeks.
- Shake the jar gently every few days.
- Strain the Oil: Once the oil has cooled (hot infusion) or infused (cold infusion), strain it through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve to remove the paste. Squeeze the paste to extract as much oil as possible.
- Storage: Store the onion and curry leaf hair oil in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dark place. This will help to prolong its shelf life.
How to Use:
- Gently massage the oil into your scalp and through your hair.
- Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight for deeper conditioning.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
Important Considerations:
- Patch Test: Before applying the oil to your entire scalp, perform a patch test on a small area to check for any allergic reactions or irritation.
- Smell: Be aware that the oil will have a strong onion smell. You can add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or rosemary to help mask the odor. However, this is optional and the essential oils themselves could cause reactions in some people.
- Consistency: The consistency of the oil may vary depending on the carrier oil used.
- Shelf Life: Properly stored, the oil should last for several months. If you notice any changes in smell or appearance, discard it.
