"Homemade Almond-Coconut Body Oil with Coconut Milk-Saffron" ... Winter is knocking on the doors which means many of us will face skin problems ... many of us have our own method of homemade oil prepared over generations ... I have always loved preparing Body Oil's at home as I love making my own mix and matches ... I have learned quite a few by experimenting on my own and some from my Mom ... this one is exclusively my Mom's method that which she has prepared for 4 Generations and all of us children have learnt the same from her ... this time my mother supervised it herself when I prepared the oil and gave me a A+ .... Do take good care of your own and your family’s skin all year round .... After all, You and your family are worth it …...
** Body Oil massage is an ancient Indian age-old method followed by generations to keep the body supple and silky smooth. Different types of oils are prepared as per the requirement or ailment and used as deemed fit by people all round the world for massaging the body. A good massage given in the right manner soothes the body after a hectic day, relaxing the muscles, untangling the knots within the muscles and melts away the stress in minutes. There are many oils used for massaging the body to keep it glowing and it is no wonder that there are several massage parlors mushrooming in the city wherein you can get a good massage done. However, these commercial massages are done using oils available in the market sold for a bomb claiming huge relief which are found to be nothing but tall claims. The best way to massage a body is using homemade oils right in your own home using easily available ingredients from your kitchen which promises not only the quality of the oil, but also will be much more lighter on your pockets and will save a lot of money in the long run.
** A good massage when given should be pleasurable, soothing and should not turn the body sore and painful. Rashes are something developed due to allergy and that can be understood only after using of particular oil on your body. In order to avoid mishap you can always make a skin patch test by applying the oil on just a small patch of your legs or hands, leave it out for a few hours and then wash it away and wait for a good 24 hours to see if you develop any rashes on that portion of the skin. If not, you can safely use the oil for massaging without any issues whatsoever, however having said that, I have hardly come across people who are allergic to simple coconut or almond based oils or that which are prepared with ingredients from our own kitchen. It is usually the chemical based massaging creams or oils that give out rashes nevertheless it is always better to be safe and judged the same for yourself. Picking out any random oil over counter and using the same will never give you the right results as one should always use the right massage oil that suits one need in right way particular for purpose you need it for.
** There are many types of oils used for massaging; many of these oils are also used as carriers too for mixing with fruits, mixing in essential oils, etc. to bring in maximum benefits to the skin. Ayurvedic practitioners often prescribe different types of oil for massaging for different purposes like easing off sprains, swelling, muscular pains, improving of blood circulation throughout body, for hair care, eye care, even mucus etc. There is Olive Oil which is supposed to have moisturizing effect on skin and is excellent for dry skin/chapped skin. Then there is Sunflower Oil used both for cooking, baking and massaging or as a carrier too. Sesame Oil has a lot of medicinal properties and is used for Abhyaga in Ayruveda by mixing herbs in them. Then there are Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Mustard Oil, Peanut Oil, Apricot Oil, Eucalyptus Oil all having their own healthy properties giving different results in massage. There is no point running into details as all of this is available on net and you will get them easily. The best massage would be with any oil that you are comfortable with like for us south Indians it is always Coconut oil as we are aware of its health/nutritional properties.
** The 4 Ingredients used in preparation of this particular "Body Oil" are Coconut, Almonds and Saffron. Many think that Coconut Oil is too greasy, but it is not so when you use it as carrier along with other ingredients, it gets quickly absorbed into the skin. It is stable oil, full of saturated fats and prevents drying up of skin, especially with cracked/checkered skins on lower parts of the legs including rashes at times. It has loads of Vitamin E, which helps in keeping the body supple, smooth and healthy and prevents signs of aging. Coming to Sweet Almonds, it has mild and gentle properties suitable for a baby’s skin as it relieves itching, rashes, eczema etc. It is also believed to prevent the skin damages caused by sun exposures including tanning. Again, Saffron used in preparation of this oil is an excellent addition as it has anti bacterial properties which helps in promoting clearer and smoother skin. I have no knowledge how much of these were known to my Mother or Grandmother, but they had come up with an oil in combination with coconut and almonds along with saffron that has been so good that it is been continued for massaging babies for 4 generations now.
** My Mother has prepared this particular "Homemade Almond- Coconut Body Oil" for her children, grand children and great grand children ie. four generations in all and we are all happy with it. She made them for young born children in our home for daily body massage until they were toddlers of say 2-3 years of age after which you could massage it once in a week and so on. We also use this oil to massage our face whenever our fancy catches on, not to miss it specially on the occasion of "Diwali Oil Bath". However, come winter and the problem of brittle skin or chapped skin is faced by many of us. I learnt to prepare this oil from my mother decades back and always prepare it before the winter season starts. It somehow never occurred to me to post this oil, as I never thought anyone would be interested in it. I have often spoken about it to my friends, who just brushed it aside saying who had the time for it as good products were available in the market. Well, the preparation does not take too much time and though the ingredients used are a little bit costly, I assure you they are much cheaper and better in quality than the oils/creams sold in the market.
** Here is my simple method of preparing "Homemade Almond- Coconut Body Oil" … My Style … The Credit for this Oil, goes exclusively to my dear Mom …
** Ingredients :
Almonds/Badam : 25 (Approx)
Saffron/Kesar : 1 tsp
Coconut Milk/Nariyal Ka Doodh : 200 ml/One large glass.
Coconut Oil/Nariyal Ka Tel : 200 ml/One large glass.
** Note : I have enclosed step-by-step picture collage for proper understanding of the procedure of preparing the oil. Do check out on the pictures keenly as pictures speak a lot.
** Wipe the Almonds with a clean dry cloth and soak them in a glass of hot water for about an hour or so. Once you are able to peel off the outer skin do so and keep them ready aside.
** Prepare and keep the Coconut Milk ready. I have enclosed the link at the bottom of this recipe for the method of preparing coconut milk. We need 1 large glass of thick coconut milk for this oil.
** Warm the coconut milk slightly and add in the saffron/kesar in it. Cover and keep it aside for 30 minutes. The kesar/saffron will leave out a good color when soaked in warm milk and this step is necessary to get that effect well.
** In a mixer grinder add in the soaked and skin peeled off almonds along with 3-4 tblsp of the saffron soaked coconut milk and grind to a smooth paste. Keep adding in the saffron soaked coconut milk little by little, till all is added and the mixture is ground to a very fine paste.
** Note : Do NOT add water for grinding at any stage. Water should not be added while preparing this oil at all.
** In a vessel add in the ground paste, coconut oil and mix well. Now place it on medium heat and bring to a boil stirring all often. Once it comes to boiling point, lower the heat to minimum and keep stirring till done.
** This will take some time say about 10-12 minutes depending upon the quantity and the heat at which you are cooking. It is done when the oil separates from the residue left over from cooking. The residue will be light red in color with grainy texture.
** Remove from fire immediately and allow the oil to get completely cooled. Do not at any stage overcook the oil and let it be burnt, as it will give a rancid smell if done so. Once the Oil has cooled down strain it through a fine stainless steel sieve and store it in a glassware bottle.
** Note : The method of preparation is similar to preparation of ghee. Check the last picture for reference to note how the oil has separated and the residue has turned out.
** "Homemade Almond- Coconut Body Oil" is done and ready for body massage. Store the oil in a cool dark place away from sunlight and it will remain good for 3-4 months. This oil is good for body massage, especially for new born babies. Do learn the technique of correct method of massaging from a well versed massagist/ masseuse/ masseur as it is very important to use/learn the correct method of body massaging.
** Isn’t this oil easy in preparation, so what are you waiting for, try it out as soon as possible, the winter is slowly creeping in and I am sure it will be useful to you and your family. Your children will have a soft and silky glowing skin that will make all your efforts of preparing this oil worthwhile. Grownups can also use this oil for face and body massage and reap in the benefits. Do take good care of your own and your family’s skin all year round, after all, we are all worth it and need to pamper our body once in way.
** Note : Please use fresh Ingredients/stock for preparation of this Oil. I have used store bought coconut oil, you can use any brand. Coconut Milk is prepared fresh at home with freshly grated 1 large sized coconut. I am sharing the link for method of preparing coconut milk at home at the bottom of this recipe for those who would like to know the procedure. Do go through the link for the same and prepare it fresh or you can prepare it and keep it in fridge the previous night too.
** Note : The cooking of oil is similar to that of preparing of ghee in our home. If you have no knowledge of ghee preparation you can check out on some You Tube to get the correct method/ knowledge or ask a friendly neighbor for the same. The end point when ghee gets separated and the residue turns light red in colour and grainy in texture is when the oil is done.
** For the method of preparing “Fresh Homemade Narlache Rosu/Coconut Milk” Recipe, Please follow the link given below ….
** An Earnest Request : There are many more recipes of different types in the blog. For all my Recipes, use the search option or the label section in the Blog. If you are still not able to find it or have a query, please leave a message in comment section or mail me the same. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Do try out various types of dishes included in the Blog and Enjoy them with your family and friends and do give me a feedback if possible.
** I am happy to inform you that I have also started a food group for by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" which is over and year old, with about 23 K strong members. It is a pleasure to inform that you will find in the group many more recipes posted by our expert members and you too can share some of your own. The link to the group is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey. I strongly believe in Sharing and always endorse that "Sharing Is Caring" Thank You.
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