DIY: Flaxseed Gel!

What is Flaxseed?

Flaxseed (Also known as linseed) comes from the fibre crop, Flax. It is rich in Vitamin B1, Omega 3 Fatty Acid, dietary fibre and then some. Some call it a wonder food (no surprise, it lowers the risk of cancer), and it can be used for a little sustainable vanity too, to make hair gel! 🙂

For more about the benefits of this flaxseed for your health and hair, please go here, here, and here. There are two types- brown and golden brown- but the brown seed is more nutritious.

I got my golden brown linseed when I was in Lagos for Easter, from Fig Health Store. Contact deets are down, at the end of the post.

This 250g pack cost me 900 naira. Fig Health Store is also on online retailer, Buyam. Did you know? Delivery on Buyam is free nationwide! Love Buyam!

WHAT YOU NEED
– Flaxseed
– Water
– For straining, a Sieve and A Pair of Tongs (or improvise)
– Storage containers

HOW TO.
It’s really simple. I used a yogurt cup to measure my flaxseed. Some instructions I saw online said ½ cup flaxseed to 2 cups water, so I tried that ratio but no, that wasn’t working out.

So I used this cup of yogurt and 3 cups water at first, but when it got too thick, I added about 500ml of water. Just be intuitive about your mixing, go with the flow.

1. Put your flaxseed in a pot, add water and leave to boil.

2. Do not cover the pot! This is important. I covered the pot and came back to see my gel that wasn’t up to half the pot had boiled over. A lot of gel wasted on my stove top.

3. Stir from time to time to make sure that the flaxseed does not stick to the sides or the bottom of the pot.

4. Wait until you see the mucus. Lol sorry to use the word. At first, my mix got real thick and sticky, so I tried to strain. Nope. E no work. Then I went back to watch Naptural85 and I saw that she waited for some substance to congeal. See it here:

When this happened, my gel was the right consistency. Not too watery, but not too thick either.

5. Okay, now your gel is the right consistency, time to strain. Pantyhose is ideal, and I think one of those 200 naira mesh sieves (the ones with the same flimsy net as you’d see on some wooden kitchen doors) should be perfect too. I didn’t have either, so I improvised with a handkerchief. I placed it over a bowl and poured in the gel.

A pair of tongs would be perfect to help with the squeezing, but I had none, so I used a spoon to squeeze against the fabric to release more of the gel. And to squeeze the last of it, I used my hands. Never again! If you don’t have Agonyin hand, don’t try it! It’s really hot! (duh)

6. Store your gel, wash up and you could also store your seeds to use another time.

This was my first time making flaxseed and I think it was a success. You can add Vitamin E oil (it’s a natural preservative), to keep your gel in good condition. Refrigerate, and it should last you 2 weeks. So, don’t make too much, or when you do, pour your friends some. You can also add your favourite essential oils for their properties and fragrances.

My gel made enough for like 3 uses. I didn’t have any containers though, so I’m sad to say I wasted what I did not use. I don’t plan to use gel anytime soon, so it didn’t make sense to try to store it.

On the same day I made the gel, I used it to 3-strand twist on blow dried hair. I used SO much, I guess I just went ham because I read that flaxseed is moisturising.

I unravelled the twists when dry, and I had very defined curls in fact too defined, but the flaking was crazy! Not scalp flaking oh, I mean flaking on my hair. So bad I had to wash. I’ll properly review flaxseed gel after a couple more uses. For now, I’d just say, go easy on your flaxseed when you use it. Use it as you would use normal store-bought gel.

Oh, here’s the Naptural85 video I mentioned. I love Whit’s tutorials!! 🙂

Ever tried this, ladies? Let’s talk! 🙂

Love,
AB
Xx

—
Fig Health Store
Emma Abimbola Cole Street, off Fola Osibo,
Opposite a blue house, Lekki Phase 1.
08097494186.
Twitter: @FigHealthStore