Ratanjot (Hindi name) was used to add natural deep red color in North Indian dishes for years. Sadly, it is replaced by synthetic red colors now. We call it "Vembalampattai" in Tamil. It is called "Alkanet" in English. The roots of Alkanets are used as a natural red dye and it is grown widely in Europe for it. It is easily available every where. We make a wonderful hair oil with ratanjot/alkanet root. This hair oil is very good in conditioning the hair and helps to prevent premature greying (ila narai in Tamil), if used regularly. This oil should be only be made, during the hot summer months. To make this oil, powder the dried alkanet root into small pieces. Just crush them with your fingers, alkanet root crumbles very easily. Don't crush it very fine, else you will find it hard to strain the oil. Pour coconut oil on top of the crumbled alkanet root and keep it under the hot sun. The color of the oil will change to red. Once the color changes to deep red, strain the oil and store it in glass bottles. This oil should be used regularly for best results. People who are suffering from premature greying will greatly benefit from this oil.
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