Everyone knows the benefit of hair oil and a hot oil massage, but what's in the oil matters. If you could add vitamins, nutrients and all sorts of good stuff into your hair oil which results in your hair becoming stronger and healthier, then why not? My mother has been making this herbal hair oil for a long time now, but I've only just recently started using it regularly and I'm seeing the difference it has made to my hair.


I have wavy hair, that tends to get oily very quickly. I used to straighten and heat style my hair every single day for ages, but I got tired of that and I wasn't doing my hair any favors. I decided to just let my tresses be and accept them in all their unique glory. Now my hair-care routine consists of washing my hair every night, semi-drying it with a good hair dryer on low for a few minutes while using my fingers to comb through. But what I have been doing religiously before washing it every night is applying my mother's secret hair oil to my scalp. And that has made ALL the difference. My hair's healthier and stronger, and even though I'm washing it every night {this humidity and me doing classes every evening means I have to wash it every night}, my hair isn't dry and frizzy. It looks shinier, has more bounce and volume, and it's growing super fast. The recipe in itself is quite simple, and the ingredients are widely available. You can use this oil on colored and /or treated hair too {my hair is highlighted}.

500 ml coconut oil {not extra virgin}
200 ml olive oil {not extra virgin}
2 tsp fenugreek seeds, coarsely ground
One small handful of dried curry leaves. You can buy fresh curry leaves and dry them.
100 g dried hibiscus flower petals. These are sold everywhere as loose tea, you can use the same.




Combine both oils together in a vessel and cook them on a slow flame. Add the fenugreek seeds and curry leaves. Let it heat on slow for 8-10 mins. Switch the heat off, add the hibiscus petals and let cool. Once cool the oil is ready to use. The oil will look a bit murky and dirty. That's okay. All the goodness of the herbs has seeped into it. My mother doesn't strain the oil, preferring to leave the leaves and seeds in it so they keep releasing their essence. They'll settle at the bottom of the jar.

Store the oil in a wide-mouthed jar, so you can easily dip your fingers into it. This is also handy when the oil solidifies in winter or in the air-conditioning. If you want to apply it hot, microwave it for 15-20 seconds. I don't mind if it's hot or cold, even if it solidifies I take a bit in my fingers, rub it thoroughly between my palms to melt it, and apply.

 How To Use For Shiny, Stronger Hair

Apply the oil onto a dry scalp using your fingers. I know that a few people suggest applying oil using cotton but I don't recommend that as the cotton will absorb the oil. Using your hands means your body warmth warms the oil, and you give yourself a good head massage in the process. So massage it in nice and deep, covering the top, sides and back of your head. There's no need to apply it to the hair that's hanging down below your ears. When you wash it out it will condition all of your hair. Try and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. If I don't have the time to wait, I still apply the oil right before I shower. P.S- You CAN apply and sleep overnight, just make sure you have a separate pillowcase as you'll wake up in the morning to an oil-stained pillow.

When washing your hair, shampoo twice, and shampoo well. The heaviness of the coconut and olive oil means that if not washed well, a residue might remain. I like to use a lot of shampoo in the first time and wash all the way from my scalp to the ends of my hair, and then use just a little bit in the next round to make sure all the oil has been washed off. You can use a conditioner after the shampoo, but I don't use one as I find that my hair is super-shiny and bouncy because of the conditioning of the oil. You can apply the oil every time before you shower. Do this regularly for at least 16 weeks to see a difference in your hair.



Coconut Oil, Olive Oil:

• Hydrates and moisturizes the hair shaft and scalp.
• Prevents dandruff.
• Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal.
• Reduces hair loss.
• Lauric acid in coconut oil strengthens and conditions.
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in olive oil nourish hair follicles.