Cold-Infusing Fenugreek Oil
Put fenugreek seeds into a glass jar. Get out a clean jar that's sealable and pour in at least enough fenugreek seeds to cover the bottom by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). You can buy fenugreek seeds at health supply stores, Indian markets, or online. If you'd like to make the fenugreek oil stronger, you can lightly crush the seeds in a mortar with a pestle.
Pour in enough oil to cover the seeds by at least 1 inch (2.5 cm). You can use your favorite natural oil, such as olive, coconut, grapeseed, jojoba, or apricot oil. If you're going to use the fenugreek oil on your skin or hair, try to match the oil for your skin's condition. For example, if you have dry skin, use an extra-moisturizing oil, such as almond or avocado oil. If you have oily skin or hair, try hemp seed or apricot oil, for instance.
Seal the jar and leave it at room temperature for 3 to 6 weeks. Place the jar in your pantry or windowsill and leave the oil to infuse. You can shake the jar once a day to help the mixture steep evenly.Variation: For fenugreek oil that's infused by the sun, place the jar outside in direct sunlight. Shake the jar every day and let the oil infuse for 3 weeks. The oil will become stronger and darker the longer it infuses.
Strain the fenugreek oil through cheesecloth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or measuring jug and lay a few pieces of cheesecloth in the strainer. Open the jar of fenugreek oil and slowly pour it into the strainer. Throw out the fenugreek seeds that are left in the cheesecloth.
Pour it into a clean bottle and refrigerate the oil for up to 1 month. Remove the strainer with the cheesecloth and slowly pour the fenugreek oil into a new storage container. Then, screw the lid on tight and place the oil in the refrigerator. It's important to store the fenugreek oil out of direct sunlight and away from heat since these can make the oil become rancid. Discard the fenugreek oil if it appears cloudy or you see mold growing.
Creating Fenugreek Oil in a Slow Cooker
Put 1/2 cup (113 g) of fenugreek seeds into a small slow cooker. You can find fenugreek seeds at Indian markets, local health stores, bulk bins at your grocery store, or online.Variation: If you prefer, pour the oil and fenugreek seeds into a large canning jar. Place the jar into a double boiler with simmering water under it and heat it for 5 to 10 minutes so the oil becomes warm. Remove the jar and let the oil infuse for 1 to 2 days before you strain it. There's no need to crush the seeds before you put them into the slow cooker.
Pour 3 ⁄2 cups (830 ml) of oil in the slow cooker. You can use just about any type of high-quality oil to make your fenugreek oil. In a pinch, you can even use olive oil or coconut oil. If you're going to use the fenugreek oil for your hair or skin, you'll probably want to choose an oil that works well with your hair or skin type. For example, if you have: Oily skin or hair, use apricot oil, grapeseed oil, or hemp seed oil. Dry skin or hair, try almond oil, avocado oil, or jojoba oil. Sensitive skin, use jojoba oil, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, or sunflower oil.
Turn the slow cooker on to "Low" for 3 to 5 hours. Put the lid on the cooker and turn it to the lowest setting. If your slow cooker has a "Warm" setting, you can use it instead of "Low." Turn off the slow cooker once the oil has warmed for at least 3 hours or up to 5. The oil should turn slightly golden if it was a clear oil to begin with. The fenugreek oil will smell faintly bittersweet.
Strain the fenugreek oil and put it into a storage bottle. Turn off the slow cooker and place cheesecloth in a fine-mesh strainer. Set the strainer over a bowl and slowly pour the warm oil into it. The cheesecloth should catch the fenugreek seeds. Then, you can transfer the fenugreek oil to a storage bottle with a tight lid. Discard the fenugreek seeds that are left in the cheesecloth.
Store the fenugreek oil in the refrigerator and use it within 1 month. The fenugreek oil could become rancid if it's stored in direct sunlight or in a hot space. Keep the container of fenugreek oil in the refrigerator and try to use it within 1 month of making it. You can rub the fenugreek oil on your skin for a moisturizing treatment or massage some of it into your hair to condition it.
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