Inside our oil kitchen
Leaves picked at dawn, nine hours on the fire and a test with a pinch of paste.
How to oil your hair properly
Warm it, part it, massage the scalp and give it time. A ten-minute ritual.
Oiling is one of the oldest hair rituals in Indian homes, and the way it is done matters as much as the oil.
Start by warming the oil slightly. Stand the bottle in a bowl of hot water for a minute, or warm a small amount in a steel spoon. It should feel warm, not hot, on the inside of your wrist.
Part your hair into four or five sections. Using your fingertips, not your nails, dab oil along each parting and massage the scalp in small circles for a minute or two per section. The massage is the most useful part; take your time.
Run what is left on your fingers through the lengths and ends. You do not need to soak the hair. About two teaspoons is enough for shoulder-length hair.
Leave it on for at least an hour. If your scalp is dry, you can leave it overnight with an old towel on the pillow. If you have dandruff or an oily scalp, keep it shorter.
Wash with a mild shampoo or hair wash powder, applying it to dry hair first so it can lift the oil, then adding water. Two or three times a week is plenty.
