One complaint that I’ve seen often is that fenugreek powder tends to get stuck in our natural, type 4 hair. The grains are often coarsely milled and when used to create a mask or a gloss, they tend to get trapped within our strands. However, did you know that it’s possible to mix fenugreek powder so that it doesn’t leave grit in your type 4 hair? My solution? Making hydrated fenugreek paste.
What is fenugreek?
Fenugreek, also known as methi, is a plant whose seeds and leaves are commonly used in culinary dishes in India and other parts of the world.
Fenugreek is used in many different ways: As fresh or dried herbs, its seeds are used as a spice, and it’s also eaten as a vegetable in the form of fresh leaves, sprouts, and microgreens.
Warning:
Some people are allergic to fenugreek, including those with peanut allergies or chickpea allergies.
What are the benefits of fenugreek for natural hair?
Earlier this year, I started my ayurvedic journey. As many naturals to ayurveda can attest, knowing where and how to start can be quite overwhelming. It’s hard to decide which herbs to use, but one that seems to be a staple in many naturalista’s arsenal is fenugreek.
Fenugreek is a wonderful herb for reducing shedding and hair fall. It’s also used to alleviate dandruff. It’s believed that fenugreek promotes hair growth as well as prevents premature graying. In ayurveda, fenugreek is also used for detangling, conditioning, and to promote hair growth. These characteristics make this herb a great choice for masks, glosses, infused oils, and tea rinses.
Making hydrated fenugreek paste
Making hydrated fenugreek paste is easy! All you need is 1 tbsp of fenegreek powder and 1 to 1 ¼ cups of hot water.
- Add small amounts of hot water to the fenugreek powder and mix with a spoon to make a loose paste. You do not want to add too much water at once or else the fenugreek will not properly hydrate. The goal is to hydrate the fenugreek powder slowly.
- As you hydrate the fenugreek, it may become necessary to use a stick blender to break up any lumps that are forming. This is important, since you want your paste to be smooth.
- In between stirring and blending, it’s a good idea to leave your mixture to “rest” for a few minutes. This will allow the powder to absorb the water and to release more mucilage.
- Over time, as the fenugreek hydrates, it will start to swell and expand to release the mucilage.
- By the time you’ve finished adding all of the water, your mixture should be quite smooth and creamy. At this point, you’re ready to cover the mix and allow it to rest on the counter for up to 12 hours.
Once the time is up, your mixture is ready to use. It will be super creamy and show no signs of powder or grit.
There’s no need to worry if you cannot use the batch at once. The beauty of this paste is that it freezes quite well and can be used at a later date.
Is fenugreek part of your hair care regimen? Comment below with some of the ways that you’ve included it in your routine.
