What's the best Flax Seed Gel recipe?

purplecurls27

I'm really interested in trying FSG. I'm going to Whole Foods on Monday (it's 1.5 hours away), so I can pick up ingredients then. My dd is crawling all over me, so I don't have time to look at all the recipes...can you guys just tell me what the best recipe is so I can make some? Thank you so much!!

wild~hair

I don't know about "best," but the basic recipe is pretty nice:

Journalist wrote: »

1 cup water

2 tbsp flax seeds

Bring water and flax seeds to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. Strain and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. :toothy7:Some people add other things, EO, Aloe, etc. But I just use the above recipe.

TIPS

I've heard golden flax seeds have more hold, but never tested that theory myself.

You can add the essential oil of your choice for scent.

Add a pinch citric acid as a preservative, or you'll have to store it in the fridge, and even then it will last less than a couple weeks.

Add 1/4 teaspoon epsom salt for curl enhancement.

Be prepared for a little trial and error. Some people boil the seeds for 10 minutes, but on my stove, it's more like 6. It also depends how runny you want it. More time = thicker gel. But cook too long and it won't strain very easily, or at all.

But it's really not hard, once you get it down. GL!

purplecurls27

wild~hair wrote: »

I don't know about "best," but the basic recipe is pretty nice:

Journalist wrote: »

1 cup water

2 tbsp flax seeds

Bring water and flax seeds to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. Strain and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. :toothy7:Some people add other things, EO, Aloe, etc. But I just use the above recipe.

TIPS

I've heard golden flax seeds have more hold, but never tested that theory myself.

You can add the essential oil of your choice for scent.

Add a pinch citric acid as a preservative, or you'll have to store it in the fridge, and even then it will last less than a couple weeks.

Add 1/4 teaspoon epsom salt for curl enhancement.

Be prepared for a little trial and error. Some people boil the seeds for 10 minutes, but on my stove, it's more like 6. It also depends how runny you want it. More time = thicker gel. But cook too long and it won't strain very easily, or at all.

But it's really not hard, once you get it down. GL!

Thank you SO much! May sound like a dumb question, but where do I find citric acid? If I just add a little, will it keep on my counter for a couple of weeks? I don't mind refrigerating it...I can just pour out how much I think I'll need the next day and let it "warm" on the counter over night if I need to. But, it would be nice to have it last a little longer. Will epsom salts not dry the hair out?

curlykristen

purplecurls27 wrote: »

wild~hair wrote: »

I don't know about "best," but the basic recipe is pretty nice:

Journalist wrote: »

1 cup water

2 tbsp flax seeds

Bring water and flax seeds to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. Strain and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. :toothy7:Some people add other things, EO, Aloe, etc. But I just use the above recipe.

TIPS

I've heard golden flax seeds have more hold, but never tested that theory myself.

You can add the essential oil of your choice for scent.

Add a pinch citric acid as a preservative, or you'll have to store it in the fridge, and even then it will last less than a couple weeks.

Add 1/4 teaspoon epsom salt for curl enhancement.

Be prepared for a little trial and error. Some people boil the seeds for 10 minutes, but on my stove, it's more like 6. It also depends how runny you want it. More time = thicker gel. But cook too long and it won't strain very easily, or at all.

But it's really not hard, once you get it down. GL!

Thank you SO much! May sound like a dumb question, but where do I find citric acid? If I just add a little, will it keep on my counter for a couple of weeks? I don't mind refrigerating it...I can just pour out how much I think I'll need the next day and let it "warm" on the counter over night if I need to. But, it would be nice to have it last a little longer. Will epsom salts not dry the hair out?

I bought mine online at www.iherb.com. I've also found golden flax seeds on ebay for less than you'll pay at whole foods, even after paying for shipping.

I use the basic recipe above, but for every cup of FSG I end up with, I also add about 1 tbsp of FOTE, 1 tsp of agave nectar, 1/2 tsp of hemp seed oil, 1/4 tsp citric acid, a few drops of grapefruit seed extract, a little vitamin E oil, and about 10 drops of an EO. I've found most items (with the exception of the FOTE and agave nectar) on iherb also. And I find that if I add the epsom salt to the water when I'm boiling the seeds, it doesn't dry my hair out. When I've added it after I make the gel, it seems more drying. And one other tip for you - I use distilled water rather than tap water, because the gel I made with tap water was pretty much useless. You might want to keep that in mind when you make it. I'd certainly try it with tap water first though, since it's basically free. HTH! :blob8:

mbeckhhp

An excellant antimicrobialIm going to try,is young livings EO, theives,very concentrated,,4 drops/per 1 cup should do,its got a nice clovey/cinnamon smell.they make it into a hand purifier, now tooAnd Aubreey organics magic mandarin Jelly,I noticed only uses grapefruitseed extract.so Ill throw a littleof that in as well.But thanks for the iherb.com I tried one f/ someone we all know, but the added coconut oil,and honey made my hair,lay down and die, so its off to the kitchen for me.Its just too expensive,when its just so easy to make.and expriment with add-ins,One lady also suggested, wrapping seeds in nylon, and boiling.I tried the HERB SATCHELS(cheese cloth, I think) didnt work.so, try again tonight.

ewenique

The original recipe makes 2-3 ozs. For my length hair, I use 2 oz at a time. Generally I make a double batch and freeze the extra until needed. If you cook the seeds to long and the gel is too thick to strain, just put it back in the pot and add more water. Simmer for a couple more minutes, then try to strain again.

purplecurls27

I am so frustrated! I just spent an hour & a half attempting to make FSG & I got maybe a day's worth out of it! I did 1 cup water to 2 tbs flax seeds. I brought the water to a boil, then reduced heat to low and added seeds. I stirred constantly for 10 minutes. Wouldn't even strain at all. I tried again, this time only doing 6 minutes. Still wouldn't strain. I put the seeds back in the pot and added more water...brought to a boil & immediately tried straining again, to no avail. I can't spend and hour & a half on gel that lasts 1-2 days! It's sooo not worth it. What am I doing wrong? I am using a metal/mesh colander like this. I managed to get a snotty consistency for use tomorrow. I really want this to work! What am I doing wrong?? I don't want it to be watery.

wild~hair

Did you strain it immediately? If you let it cool, it will be much harder, if not impossible to strain.

Also, clean the strainer immediately after straining — it will be easer to clean.

I get about a 3-4 applications of FSG from that recipe, and my hair is BSL when wet. But I do use it with other products, so maybe I don't use as much as others.

It does thicken as it cools, so don't concern yourself too much with the consistency when you're straining it. It should be pretty runny at that point, when it's still warm or hot, but also very much like egg whites.

I use the same type of strainer, so that's definitely not the issue.

To store it, I put it in a bottle with a top that works like a dish soap bottle [you pull the top up in order to open it]. I find it works well with the consistency of the gel.

Making FSG takes time and patience to learn. I did it successfully the first time, but I took an hour or so and read up on it here first. I understand that you might not have that kind of time, but that is the reality of the situation.

GL!

morrighu

Well, the flax seed is ordered I'll be sure to post and let all of you know how it goes.

susieQ730

purplecurls27 wrote: »

I brought the water to a boil, then reduced heat to low and added seeds. I stirred constantly for 10 minutes. Wouldn't even strain at all.

Put the seeds in the water and then bring to a boil, when the seeds suspend in the water and the water gets a white foamy film, turn to med to med-low. Using a wire wisk, keep wisking until desired thickness. I've tried continuous boiling on high and wisking and it came out too thick. Total process takes anywhere from 6-10 minutes, watch closely. Then strain and add your additions (if you are using epsom salts add before boiling). Better to strain when a little thin, you can always put it back in the pot and boil to make thicker.

I use 1/4 C flax seeds to 2 C water and get at least 12 ounces.

mlle_carrie

I made my first batch of FSG last night and put it on my hair, let it dry mostly, then went to bed (I don't pineapple). When I woke up this morning I found the most beautiful mess of soft, bouncy curls!!! My hair seemed so much curlier than normal! I love that the FSG isn't sticky, so my hands don't get sticky whenever I touch my hair. Love this stuff already!

burgundy_locks

When you add the AVG, when in the process is it added? At the end? with the boil? after you package it up?

curlykristen

burgundy_locks wrote: »

When you add the AVG, when in the process is it added? At the end? with the boil? after you package it up?

I usually add the AVG, along with some agave nectar, hemp seed oil, and preservatives after I boil and strain the flax seeds, then whisk it all together.

burgundy_locks

curlykristen wrote: »

burgundy_locks wrote: »

When you add the AVG, when in the process is it added? At the end? with the boil? after you package it up?

I usually add the AVG, along with some agave nectar, hemp seed oil, and preservatives after I boil and strain the flax seeds, then whisk it all together.

Awesome! thanks!

canela

does the sweetness of the agave nectar get sticky or do any insects get close to the hair?

curlykristen

canela wrote: »

does the sweetness of the agave nectar get sticky or do any insects get close to the hair?

I've never had that problem. Once you mix it in with the FSG, the AN isn't sticky anymore. And I've never had bugs swarming my head. :flower:

morrighu

Well, my seeds are here. I'm going to try making it this week end. We'll see how it goes

canela

Can someone tell me what is FOTE?

CAT301

canela wrote: »

Can someone tell me what is FOTE?

Fruit of The Earth brand aloe vera gel.

namom3

This is the FSG recipe I use. I drench it in my hair and let it air dry- perfect hair all day!!


http://mixology101.ning.com/profiles/blogs/flax-seed-gel-my-way

loewin

I've never seen one of those straining balls, where could I pick one up? Anyone know?

namom3

I got mine at walmart by the kitchen gadgets. You can find them at health food stores by the teas as well!

burgundy_locks

loewin wrote: »

I've never seen one of those straining balls, where could I pick one up? Anyone know?

i saw one at Publix (a supermarket) and i saw one in ikea. the one i saw at publix was big and seemed bulky and was like, 8 dollars. the one in ikea was small and not as bulky and was like, 2 dollars. i bought the ikea one. first time i tried making the FSG, i put it in a coffee filter. i noticed that the water was still water, and it was evaporating. come to find out it was all gelling up inside the coffee filter! i went with the small straining ball thinking that the big one might provide too much space for the water to just want to get in there and not create any gel in the pot (if that makes sense?). i haven't tried it yet tho.

burgundy_locks

When i made my FSG i had absolutely no problem straining it. it went from off the stove right thru the strainer into by aluminum cup. consitency was just like egg whites- i would know, i've used egg whites in my hair before. i topped it off with some FOTE AVG. curl formation- good. just like any other product- but this one is all natural! topped it off with HETT. my only issue was frizz! i have not been getting any frizz... virtually none! but with the FSG, i had a lot of surface frizz! i'm not sure if it was the HETT. next time i will try with BRHG. any suggestions about the frizz?

loewin

I tried making mine for the first time yesterday. For me it seemed to calm down my frizz , but still had more than I'd care to have. I'm still at a point where I'm experimenting tho, so I added some honey to my mix... I'm thinking next time leaving it out to see if I do better without it. I am starting to think I need to leave out the humectants :-?.

TY for the info on the tea ball!

morrighu

Ok,

The first batch is in the freezer now...
2 C Water
4 T Flax Seed
1 T FOTE
1/2 t Epsom Salt (Mag. Sulfate)
1/2 t Hemp Oil
1/2 t Agave Nectar
4 Drops Clove Oil (natural antibiotic)
1/8 t Nag Champa (EO blend with antibiotic & antifungal properties)

On the advice I've seen in another thread, I'm freezing it so that I can fluff it with a fork to improve the texture and make it easier to apply once its thawed.

I just made it with filtered water, not distilled. We brew beer with our water here just filtered and that works out ok.

Next batch brewing on the stove now...

2 C Water
4 T Flax Seed
1 T FOTE
1/2 t Epsom Salt (Mag. Sulfate)
1/2 t Raw Shea Butter
1/2 t Agave Nectar
4 Drops Clove Oil (natural antibiotic)
1/8 t Grapefruit Seed Extract

Will let every know how it turns out/works.

ariel9403

Hello -
Could some one tell me what HETT and BRHG mean?
Thank you!

burgundy_locks

ariel9403 wrote: »

Hello -
Could some one tell me what HETT and BRHG mean?
Thank you!

HETT- Herbal Essence Totally Twisted (gel or mousse) and BRHG- Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee. there is a sticky note on the general discussion about curly hair section. Enjoy!

morrighu

Ok,

Batch A got its initial test last night and its getting a tenative wonderful. I got excellent curls with zero product feel and very soft hair. I say tentative because I had to sleep on it so I had some loss of curl and some frizz which I'm attributing to sleeping with wet hair.

I got up this morning, misted my hair, and put in some more. It's drying now. I have to say that I'm getting great spiral and ringlets. I'll post pics once its completely dry.

RozettaStone

I've made two batches thus far and I'm really liking it! I'll be tweaking the add-ins with each batch. I initially thought it wouldn't be enough hold for me (I have a very loose curl pattern and lots of hair), but yesterday I went out with my hair still quite damp, and it was very windy wet and nasty. I was out in the wind a long time and thought my hair would be a disaster. A few hours later (when my hair was finally dry), I discovered that I had really good hair!

Also, my hair felt very rough and dry from the little bit of mag sulfate I'd added to this batch -- but I really liked the curls it gave me. Last night, I took a bit of jojoba oil on my hands and smoothed it over my canopy & scrunched some into the rest of my hair, and the dry rough feeling was gone. This morning (after pineappling), I have better than average hair, better curls, and my hair feels soft. I think I won't be buying much gel anymore. :love4:

Loewin, as for straining balls, if you have a good-sized Asian grocery or housewares store, they usually have a whole range of these, in all sizes. They also have make-your-own teabag things, a kind of cloth-like paper pouch (very handy for tea drinkers on the road/at work!), and they come in a whole range of sizes from regular teabag to quite large. However, I have had no trouble straining the gel thru a regular mesh kitchen strainer -- but I do it right away, while it's still hot.

morrighu

OK, the FSG Pics are up..

http://public.fotki.com/morrighu/hair-flax-seed-gel-/