date seed hair oil

what you need

• a handful of date seeds (pits), from dates you have eaten — cleaned and fully dried
• a carrier oil: olive, argan, or castor (or a blend)
• a small saucepan and a clean glass jar with a lid
• a fine sieve or a piece of muslin cloth

the ritual

1. rinse the seeds, remove every bit of fruit, and dry them completely — a day in the air, or a low oven.
2. roast the dry seeds in a dry pan on low heat until deep brown and fragrant. never let them burn.
3. let them cool. even after roasting the pits stay rock-hard, so crack them first in a mortar and pestle, then grind those pieces to a rough powder in a coffee grinder.
4. spoon the powder into a clean, dry jar — about 2 tbsp powder to 1 cup oil — and cover it completely with your carrier oil.
5. let it infuse. the slow way: seal the jar on a warm, sunny windowsill for 2 to 4 weeks, shaking gently when you pass. the warm way: set the jar in a pan of water on the lowest heat for 2 to 4 hours, then keep infusing in a warm, dark spot for 1 to 2 weeks more.
6. when the oil is dark and fragrant, filter it through muslin or a fine sieve into a clean glass bottle. your date seed hair oil is ready.
7. to use: warm a little between the palms, massage into the scalp in slow circles, then work through the lengths. wrap in a warm towel 30 minutes to overnight, then wash out with a gentle shampoo. once or twice a week.