Flax seed gel Recipe

[forgotten1]

Wondering what the recipe is. I was told that it would help my hair for frizziness and dryness.

[mellie]

Nayver, can you respond?

I think it is 1 T flaxseeds boiled in 1 c. water for about 5 minutes till it thickens up a little (it will thicken up more as it cools). Then strain out the seeds and let the gel cool then keep refrigerated.

It works as a hair gel and curl/wave enhancer. I don't know how well it work for frizziness or dryness, but it feels and works just like a styling gel.

[curly girl fla]

The "official" recipes I found were 1T to 1C water, boiled (at a simmer) for 10 minutes (it should be viscous at that point), stirring frequently. Then strain into your container. It should thicken more as it cools, but I've never gotten it truly thick.

What I do: 3 T to 2C water, sometimes I add a cut up orange and/or 1 T honey (gives more hold which I need), boil at least the 10min, sometimes longer, but I watch it closely. Last time I added rosemary & lavender EOs to it, but that's about it. I find that it does reduce my frizz, especially when I make it with the honey, and it really makes curls pop :smile:

[pariate]

I used this recipe a few times but found that the AGO recipe worked better than anything else for controlling frizz. I also found the flax seed recipe too much like hard work! :lol: All the boiling, straining etc.

[curly girl fla]

I used this recipe a few times but found that the AGO recipe worked better than anything else for controlling frizz. I also found the flax seed recipe too much like hard work! :lol: All the boiling, straining etc.

I wish I could use AVG, but it dries my hair out and adds frizz. I've tried all types, including the pure liquid. I couldn't even add it to the FSG because of that effect...don't know why-I think I'm the only one on the planet that can't use it! It's the same with glycerin as a main ingredient. Oils I'm pretty good with, though...As far as hard work-FSG is so easy. I put the seeds in a strainer in the pot, so I just lift them out and that's it :-)

[Treecrown]

Question: are the flax seeds whole or crushed? I have whole ones (they're supposed to stay fresh longer) but wasn't sure if I'd need to crush them for this recipe. Thanks!

[curly girl fla]

Question: are the flax seeds whole or crushed? I have whole ones (they're supposed to stay fresh longer) but wasn't sure if I'd need to crush them for this recipe. Thanks!

Whole :smile:

[Alethia]

You won't have to boil them as long if you grind the seeds beforehand, but if you do grind them, it's very difficult to sieve out all the bits. To have a clear, useable gel you should probably leave them whole.

[Silver & Gold]

I used this recipe a few times but found that the AGO recipe worked better than anything else for controlling frizz. I also found the flax seed recipe too much like hard work! :lol: All the boiling, straining etc.

Now I'm curious, what's the AGO recipe?

[curly girl fla]

It's 1 tablespoon aloe gel, half teaspoon of glycerin, about 4 drops of oil (I use jojoba and avocado) plus an essential oil to give fragrance

Taken directly from an existing post in another thread...it's sounds so nice and simple. I wish I could use it...

[pariate]

Now I'm curious, what's the AGO recipe?

It was posted on another thread by Smokie. I use 1 tablespoon Aloe gel, 0.5 teaspoon Glycerin and about four drops of Oil (I use 1 drop avocado and three drops jojoba and sometimes increase the oil content..) I also add sweet orange oi for fragrance. Yummy!

ETA - if my hair is feeling at all thirsty, this stuff fixes it immediately. It's super-hyrdating and softening. Gives an instant mega moisture boost! I use it on wettish hair after I've washed and sometimes add a little more to dry/damp hair on days between washes.

[nayver]

Nayver, can you respond?

I think it is 1 T flaxseeds boiled in 1 c. water for about 5 minutes till it thickens up a little (it will thicken up more as it cools). Then strain out the seeds and let the gel cool then keep refrigerated.

It works as a hair gel and curl/wave enhancer. I don't know how well it work for frizziness or dryness, but it feels and works just like a styling gel.


Hi Mellie!!! The recipe is right, and now I'm adding two drops of essential oils (rosemary) to make it last longer. I have the mix put it on my hair right now and it's wonderful!!!! It encorauges waves without frizz. The thing I have noticed is if I use more seeds and less water I get a gel with more hold.

[Treecrown]

Err, it turned out that I had ground flax seed (I'm in Finland and can't always read/guess/deduce the labels on packages correctly....) and I can confirm that ground flax seed does NOT work for styling gel--it's impossible to strain the mixture and I don't think anyone wants bits of flax seed sticking to her hair...

It did get nice and gooey, though, so looks promising for when I can try it again with whole seeds.

PS: what on earth should I do with a big box of ground flaxseed? Does it have any hair-friendly use?

[Solange]

PS: what on earth should I do with a big box of ground flaxseed? Does it have any hair-friendly use?


You could sprinkle some on your cereal or include it in your baking. I don't know if *eating* flaxseed has any hair growth benefits specifically, but it is healthy... Do keep in mind that ground flaxseed doesn't keep as long as whole seeds.

[mellie]

Hi Nayver! :-)

I use very finely ground flaxseed as a facial scrub everyday, it has been really amazing at clearing up my skin of old acne scars!

[pariate]

PS: what on earth should I do with a big box of ground flaxseed?

I second Solange's suggestion that you add it to food - it's what they use to make linseed oil, which is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids and linolenic acid. Very good food supplement, excellent for hair, skin and nails!

[mellie]

Yes, also sprinkle on food such as cereal or yogurt!

[Treecrown]

Great suggestions, thanks, everyone! Interesting, Mellie, that you recommend it for a facial...for some reason I tried putting some of the boiled-meal-goo on my face yesterday and my skin LOVED it.

[mellie]

Haha, that's great! It has really made a huge difference in my skin, I am so happy! :-)

[Igraine]

Resurrecting this thread from the dead: Do you people think this can work with flax seeds which are quite some months beyond the expiration date? I wouldn't eat them anymore, and if there's anything I can use them for instead of throwing away it would be great! :)

[LadyJennifer]

I wish I could use AVG, but it dries my hair out and adds frizz. I've tried all types, including the pure liquid. I couldn't even add it to the FSG because of that effect...don't know why-I think I'm the only one on the planet that can't use it! It's the same with glycerin as a main ingredient. Oils I'm pretty good with, though...As far as hard work-FSG is so easy. I put the seeds in a strainer in the pot, so I just lift them out and that's it :-)

I also cannot use AVG at all. I looove my flax seed gel! It makes my hair so shiny and smooth - definitely reduces frizz for me!
My recipe is as follows:
1/4 c. whole flax seeds
2 c. distilled water
boil until thick (about 20 min) and strain immediately (if you wait 'till cool it's really hard to strain)
then add:
6-10 drops grapefruit seed extract (preservative)
1/8 tsp citric acid (ph + preservative)
1/4 tsp epsom salt (for curl)
1/2 tsp honey
1/4 tsp castor oil
a few drops eo for smell (I use rosemary and lemongrass)

It really only takes a few minutes to mix, and I love the results - besides it's cheap!

[Lélie]

Resurrecting this thread from the dead: Do you people think this can work with flax seeds which are quite some months beyond the expiration date? I wouldn't eat them anymore, and if there's anything I can use them for instead of throwing away it would be great! :)

I suppose that'd be ok ... we often eat cereals beyond the expiration date, and we're never sick or whatever, it tastes the same !!
If I were you, i'll risk it and see. If the consistency and the smell is ok (it's not suppose to smell a lot, very light cereal smell), i can't figure out why it would be bad.

;)