Cacti are counted among some of the most fascinating plants in the world.
They can survive in the hot and dry desert climates without any trouble, they have adapted their features to survive even the toughest landscapes, and many cacti can go up to two whole years without needing to be watered at all!
But, there is more.
Along with all of this, there is a myriad of other benefits we can attribute to cacti and their by-products, and one of those is cactus oil.
Cactus oil has gained a lot of traction in the past few years since people are using this oil all over to reap several benefits.
Naturally, we were intrigued. Therefore we will be looking at some of the many benefits offered by cactus oil and how you can make some for yourself at home!
Table of Contents
Benefits Of Cactus Oil
Before we get to the process of making your own cactus oil, it is important to know what the true benefits of cactus oil are for your skin and hair.
Remember that cacti have been used for their wonderful properties by many civilizations across the world, and the benefits the plant has to offer cannot be refuted.
Keeping that in mind, here are some of the benefits you can reap from the regular use of cactus oil.
Soothing Effect
First of all, cactus oil is widely known for having a soothing effect on the skin.
This can be proven by the use of aloe vera gel on burns and wounds, where the gel provides a cooling and soothing effect and promotes healing of the affected area.
Since the aloe vera plant is succulent and closely related to the cactus family, you can pretty much reap the same benefits from the oil you extract from your choice of cactus plants as well.
You can apply cactus oil to sunburned skin and even friction burns and burns from flame or oil when the wound is healing (not immediately after) to allow for faster healing of the skin.
Moisturizes Skin
Another massive benefit of cactus oil for the skin is that it helps to moisturize the skin deeply.
Cactus oil is a wonderful emollient that you can also add to your face masks and leave it on your skin for 15-20 minutes twice a week.
You can also use the oil as a moisturizer in the last step of your skincare routine to allow it to seal in all the serums and other ingredients you have used.
The oil makes an excellent sleeping mask, and using it at night will allow you to wake up in the morning with soft and smooth skin.
Reduces Inflammation
Cactus oil has many beneficial essential nutrients and compounds which allow for faster wound healing and also help to soothe inflamed skin.
The collagen present in the oil also prevents scarring of the skin.
Promotes Hair Growth
One of the most beneficial attributes of cactus oil is that it is known for promoting healthy hair growth.
You can expect your hair to grow long and strong if you use this oil on your scalp 2-3 times a week.
To apply cactus oil to your hair, simply take a small amount in your palm and rub it on your scalp for a few minutes, making sure to rub it in every inch of your scalp.
Leave the oil on your hair for a maximum of two hours before you wash it off with shampoo or your choice of hair cleanser.
If you are struggling with hair fall or simply want thicker and naturally long hair, you will be able to see results with the help of this oil in as little as two weeks.
Prevents Hair Loss
Since cactus oil helps to promote hair growth, it is naturally also a great remedy for preventing hair loss as well.
Cactus oil can be applied to rough patches on your scalp where your hair is withering away and there is a high chance that you will see regrowth in just a couple of weeks.
Similarly, for people with hair fall, regular use of this oil will prevent hair loss as well and keep your hair looking shiny and healthy for a long time.
Makes Hair Easy To Detangle
Another wonderful feature of cactus oil is that it makes your hair very easy to detangle.
You can apply it on your ends or use it to scrunch your hair right after you shower when your hair is still a little bit damp.
Run the oil through your hair, and you will notice it becoming very easy to detangle.
This tip is especially helpful for people with curly or coiled hair that needs to be detangled frequently.
How To Make Cactus Oil At Home
To make your own cactus oil at home, you will need cactus pads such as from the prickly pear plant or any other kind of cactus with thick and fleshy stems, pads, or leaves.
Follow the steps below to easily make your own cactus oil at home:
Here are the things you will need to make your own cactus oil at home:
- Stem or leaves of a cactus plant
- Sharp knife or a peeler
- Gloves (for safety)
- Cheese grater
- Double boiler
- Jar
- Strainer
- Carrier Oil (olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, etc.)
- Any extra additives like essential oils, powders, etc.
Here is how you can use those ingredients to make your own cactus oil:
- Make sure you are wearing gloves when handling the stems or leaves of the cactus plant. Wash the cactus thoroughly, making sure to get rid of any dirt or impurities you come across. Make sure you avoid any sharp spines and thorns as well while washing the cactus.
- Take a peeler or a sharp knife and begin scraping away at the leaves or stem of the cactus. Make sure you get rid of all the sharp spines and any other irregular areas so that the cactus is easier to handle as well.
- Take your cheese grater and freshly peeled leaves and begin grating away at the cheese grater. Grate all the leaves and leave the grated pile on top of a paper towel to absorb the excess moisture from the leaves.
- Next, add the leaves to a jar or beaker which will be used in the double boiler. Add any essential oils and powders to the leaves and mix thoroughly.
- Add your choice of carrier oil to the jar and begin to mix thoroughly again.
- Put your double boiler on top of the stove and add water to it. Bring the water to a boil and reduce it to a simmer. Place your jar or beaker in the water and let your mixture get heated up in the boiler.
- After letting the cactus leaves boil for 20-25 minutes, it is time to extract your cactus oil out of it. Remove the jar from the heat and let it cool for five minutes before you begin handing it again.
- After the jar has cooled down, pour all of its contents into a strainer and extract the oil into a container. Apply some pressure on the boiled leaves and extract all the oil from the contents. Let it stay that way for a few hours to make sure that all the oil comes out of the leaves and is collected into the container.
- Pour the oil from the container back into the jar or any other container of your choice. You can use this oil on your hair and skin depending on your needs and the additives in the oil.
- You can store this oil for up to two months without expecting it to be damaged. Make sure you store it in a cool and dry space.
What Type Of Cactus Should We Use To Make Cactus Oil?
The most common type of cactus that is used to extract cactus oil is the prickly pear cactus.
The prickly pear cactus has pads that are not very sharp and spiky, which makes them very easy to handle. Other than that, these pads are also easy to grate and extract the oil from.
Many people also cook these pads as a delicacy and serve them regularly in their meals.
While you can use other cacti for cactus oil as well, this is the most commonly used one and the one with the most well-known benefits.
Conclusion
Cactus oil has been used for many centuries all over the world for its myriad benefits. It is widely used across many cultures for its benefits to the hair and the skin.
While you can easily buy cactus oil off the shelves in any market, it is always a better idea to make some for yourself at home.
With our simple, step-by-step method, you can easily extract as much cactus oil as you want and use it as you need.
