Spilled Camphor oil….

How often do you feel pity for yourself? How often do you ask “why me ….??”

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Lemon oil & Alovera oil in the making!!

I read that camphor oil is good for acne prone skin (of which I have been suffering since a long time), so I made some to see if it really helps, must have used it for 3 days and the jar fell from my hand!
This is the 5th or 6th time I’ve prepared a medicated oil and lost it to my ability to attract troubles! Before this it was turmeric oil that I used as moisturizer and I spilled it during our trip to Pondicherry, in the hotel bathroom and then spent half an hour cleaning the shower, I couldn’t have left it like that! Before that it was curry leaves oil for hair, before that, it was pure ghee that I brought from home and spilled in the taxi! Before that, I prepared cinnamon oil and in the making process I was supposed to keep it some dark place… I kept it in such a dark safe place, I could not trace it back! Before that!? The endless number of times I’ve spilled my feet massage oil!

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Triphala hair oil
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Turmeric oil

Yes, I am the chosen one,who some way or the other lands up at the place where you ask yourself, “Why God….why me???” Its absolutely fine when such things happen within closed doors but, but, not always can one be that lucky!

I am not just an expert in spilling oils, I attract troubles in many different types and forms! I  am also a water problem expert. During our stay at Darjeeling, the hotel bathroom geyser denied us the luxury of hot water where as in Mysore hotel it was only hot water, so hot that I enjoyed steam bath all the days! Think how we brushed our teeth.
Fine, hotels are fine, rooms can be changed, but what if you are getting late to work and your own shower throws a tantrum, even for 5minutes!? I go through that everyday. No this doesn’t happen with DH.. or may be at times men are more patient (says hubby)!

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One more click of Lemon oil & Alovera oil, will be ready by the end of December

The third trouble is random, for instance, last November, when we were on a trip to Mysore (planning a post on the trip soon) and we were having a gala time eating and relaxing near Shivasamudram. When I got up to leave, there was a huge patch of black paint on my dress,only mine and that too in front of my in-laws! In a similar incidence when I went to Udaipur and we were roaming around with 10 other tourists, my… only my sandal broke! On top of that there was not a single cobbler to be seen around! In India you can almost find a cobbler in every other street but that day not a single one! Next, imagine! And the grand one for the last, you know Indian weddings, during outdoor reception there’s a huge standing fan placed in front of the bride and groom. While attending one such marriage party (thank God it was not my marriage) I climbed upto the stage with my nice to meet the newly wed and congratulate them, give them gift and click some pictures…suddenly I felt a pull, next moment what I see,  my chunni was trapped in the fan. The groom and bride are sweating and I, standing there holding one end of my chunni. It was a new dress that I was wearing it for the first time. 30 minutes passed and I was still standing there on the stage people trying to free my chunni, guests came, clicked pictures with the newly wed and went and I stood there asking “Why God….why??”

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On our way to Shivasamudram, when our cab broke down

There are many many and many more… I also know many more are coming but that’s how life is. And I am sure you must have had such moments, may be more or many be less! All this has not stopped me from making more oils or sitting down at odd places or visiting new places and accommodating at reasonable places,  so that we don’t spend our days in the hotel rooms rather fly outside!

Bhringraj Oil

I’ve always loved oiling my hair. The gentle massage, the warmth of the oil…ahh, only one who has experienced knows. Ever since I switched from chemical shampoos to natural ones I also incorporated some ayurvedic hair oils. I found curry leaves oil, amla oil and bhringraj oil to be very useful. Instead of buying an oil with all these ingredients I decide to make them myself and try one at a time.

Today I’ll be share how to make Bhringraj oil and its super easy! While writing this post I did a little research and found that bhringraj is a wonderful herb and has many many benefits. Bhringaraj is considered as the main herb for the hair care. It is a wonderful liver tonic, provides relief from cold & cough, used as dye just to name a few.

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Bhringraj Powder and coconut oil

It is always better to use fresh ones but I could only manage to find powder. And coconut oil I used Patanjali as I find it comparatively more reliable than the rest.

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2 tbl spoon of Bhringraj powder mix in litter water to get a fine paste.

Once the paste of Bhringraj powder mixed in water is ready put a open mouth pan on the gas stove and add about 1 1/2 cup of coconut oil to it. When the oil is warm (not boiling) add the paste to the oil.

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Coconut Oil in a wide mouth utensil

After adding the paste to the warm oil bubbles will start forming, be at a safer distance. Wait for the bubbles to come down as the water portion in the paste vaporizes.

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As the Bhringraj powder slowly cook on low flame,it releases its medicinal values into the oil.

When all the bubbles disappears, know that there is no more water left ( follow your instincts, experience is the only best teacher) turn off the flame and let it cool down.

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Stained and ready to use! It looks black to deep green but in hand its just greenish

Strain the oil through a strainer and store it in a bottle. The color of the oil as you can see, is dark green. The oil is thicker than plain coconut oil. It has its own aroma, though I liked it, some might not find it very pleasant. I apply it overnight and wash it off the next day. It can also be applied 30 minutes prior to shower also. But like grannies say, the longer the better!

Last words, do not expect wonders. Do not think that hair fall or graying will stop overnight. I enjoy the process, the process of exploring, knowing different herbs and their importance, preparing it and at the end when I use it I derive much more satisfaction than I would have from a store brought one. My hairs definitely feel stronger and hair fall reduced but most importantly I feel better.