Tis the season to begin to think about making my fall batch of Ashwagnada sesame oil to warm our way through the fall.
Bows to my colleagues in the Kripalu School of Ayurveda (KSA). Several years ago I got to sit in on part of their training for Ayurveda Health Counselors and got a lovely intro to the Ayurveda way of herbs from Rosie Mann and the KSA faculty.
My husband and I both love this oil, and he has noticed how it is soothing and quiets his mind like it did mine the first time I practiced abhyanga (Ayurvedic oil self-massage) with it during my training. It does have a musky manly scent in sesame oil. We rub it on our feet at bedtime, and more widely when our minds get chattering too incessantly and we have time to relax (it can be a sedative, so I haven’t tried it on a workday yet).
Ashwa…what?
Ashwagandha is a root used in a number of Ayurvedic preparations. It’s a little famous for its aphrodisiac properties, but it is also calming and strengthening (ashwagandha means horse-smell in Sanskrit, after the musky scent of the root itself). Vata-pacifying, it is great for both my husband and I as we enter our hopefully wise Vata years of life.
Ashwagandha Sesame Oil Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried ashwagandha root
- 8 cups filtered water
- 2 cups organic sesame oil
Directions
You will need a strainer and cheesecloth, as well as a medium-large saucepan and a container for the oil.
1. Gather all ingredients and bless them. I say a little prayer over them like the one my teacher Pam taught me, then ask the root to bless us with its healing gifts.
2. Pour water into the saucepan, and add ashwagandha root. Gently stir clockwise (only clockwise) with a wooden spoon or whisk.
3. Heat medium-low until reduced to 2 cups. This takes 2-3 hours. There is a point where the ashwagandha will thicken into the fluid – the texture will shift.
I like to let my botanical concoctions spend some time on the alter. Prayers, alters, it is all about infusing what I am making with love and intentions.
4. Rinse saucepan. Strain the fluid through a sieve, then strain several additional times through a cheesecloth until you have a thick fluid.
5. Pour this mixture back into the saucepan, and add sesame oil. Heat at low-medium, occasionally gently stirring clockwise. Again, you will see the oil change as it absorbs the ashwagandha root. I found it became richer and a smidgen cloudy (but, if I had strained more thoroughly it may be more rich yet clear)…the batch I have from the experts is more clear.
6. Once you see the oil change (this took about an hour), let it cool, then strain the oil off of the remaining root-water, into a clean glass jar.
7. Enjoy as a daily oil massage (I would do a test on the weekend!), or rub on your feet and/or top of your head before bed.
Namaste!
Hello Annie, thanks for sharing your this recipe.
I just did a double batch but results were poor. The root water reduction did not really thicken very much. I’ve had the roots for over 2 years. Do you think they simply dried up too much and lost their bark juice?
Hi Dominic – A couple thoughts: Could have it have been that you heated the water-root at too high a temp, not giving it the gentle time it needed to absorb and thicken? Did it steep along at a lower heat for a number of hrs? We are so used to things happening snap snap quick.
Possible that your root was just too old & desiccated, but I would think love and time (cooking) would bring it back to life to the greatest degree it can.
Have faith! I know that making this regularly does take a lot of time (it is really a weekend affair, isn’t it?). You might order up a new batch of root (from someplace like Mountain Rose Herbs).
Please do try try again! It is so worth it!
Be well, bless you and thanks for writing.
Annie
Hi Annie,
I’ve always been told to not let oils get too hot as it denatures them. Most sources say around 100 degrees and using a thermometer is good idea. What is your take on this for this recipe?
Thanks!
Hi Monica! Good question. You don’t want to heat oils above their smoke point because they become oxidized. This is mainly for oils you are going to eat, and in cooking, because oxidized oils boost oxidative stress and basically makes your liver work a bit harder to clear them (though the human body is a wonder of detoxifying). But, for oils you are going to use on your skin, when they are heated at high temps and become oxidized, it undermines to quality of the oil – doesn’t smell as good nor just contain the lovely goodness of an oil prepped at low temp. Every oil has a different smoke point. So, you want to use an oil with a nice high smoke point (sesame is a good one for this), and yes, you want to cook this on low for best results. Low and slow! Hope that answers your question.
Hi Annie,
thank you for the recipe. I would think Ashwagandha root powder may not be the best option but the cut-up root? thank you for clarifying.
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
If you can get fresh root, terrific. Even the root powder is often hard to find, and my source runs out a lot. I’m sure using fresh would change the recipe (I imagine it would be stronger and require less water), so you’ll have to watch your pot!
Be well and keep me posted!
Warm Regards,
Annie
I planted my Ashwaganda 8 years ago and just digging out the roots. I’ll try your recipe for the oil, hopeing it helps my Rheumatoid arthritis. Can you have a recipe using fresh roots?
Wow Gloria – that’s beautiful. With recipe, it usually takes more of a product if it is dried for the same effect as fresh. For herbs, it’s about 2-4 parts dried equivalent to 1 fresh. It depends on what you are going for – flavor or the active component.
If I have some nice fresh root I’d grown for 8 years, I would experiment with juicing a little, chopping and freezing a little, and making a little oil. I would not dig the whole thing up, but use about 1/4 of what you have, so that you can play with it over the next few years. Would love to hear how you do with this…would love a picture or two!
Blessings on your endeavors!
Can you purchase prepared ashwagandha seasome oil. Thanks Kevin.
Yes there are a # of places you can get it.
Here’s one on Amazon…never used it.
I’ve been focused on DIY – it works for me (and there is something about staying home a full day to simmer it away) but yes order it up and let me know how it works for you.
Really interested to hear if and how it works into your daily regime.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely
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come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post.
I’ll definitely comeback.
Is there a product you prefer re: the root? Would love to prepare this as I am making some radical life changes and need to stay grounded and clear! Thank you.~Sara
I am a fan of Mountain Rose Herbal and get my Ashwaganda as a dried powder from them.
Yes this is a good one for you! I use ground root I get from Mountain Rose Herbal. They do a great job.
I am just in the middle of making a batch and have found the whole process to be much faster using a clay pot. To avoid the roasted sesame oil smell I am using a white non roasted type that is a 0 on the scale of 0-5 on the scent/flavor scale. This is a a really well written recipe and I wanted to thank you for posting this.
Thanks Leda. Love the idea of a clay pot. I do like the scent of the root and the sesame together – it has a distinct rich nutty smell, so that’s OK by me. Thanks for mentioning the use of a more refined oil – that would also give it a higher smoke point. Clearly you know your oil infusions! Thanks for the note!
Hi Annie,
Well, I have a very rookie question for you! I am just beginning my herbal studies and I am a bit confused about one aspect of the recipe….when I strain the root liquid, am I steeping the sesame oil with the spent root only or the resultant infused water mixture?
Thank you in advance for your time! I so look forward to trying this recipe and I really enjoy your website!
There are no rookie questions in this burg! You are steeping the oil with the liquid infused mixture, which should be fairly thick. Yes, it takes a while (I usually make a batch in the fall – in prep for winter) but it is a great oil for anytime. LMK how it comes!
Are you able to use another oil?
Yes, but every oil acts differently. I suggest that if you use another oil, do a little study on it – some oils have a low smoke point and break down quickly with heat, which will not give you the end product you are looking for here. This method requires such a long cook time, that you want to use an oil with a relatively high smoke point. Good luck!
Hi Annie,
I can only find Ashwagandha Root Powder and Sesame Oil Cold Processed. Can I use them? If yes, how?
Hi Abby – I used root powder and cold-pressed sesame oil for this recipe. It works fine.
Won’t the water mixture mixed with oil mold? I’ve made several herbal infused oils and you must be very careful to not let water get into the mix. I’m confused.
Mold is the biggest issue with oil infusions! Water can be an issue – Air can be an issue! When you cover the plant matter with oil, press the plants down so that air bubbles rise to the top. You may have to, every few days, re-submerge the plant matter.
I’ve tossed many an oil infusion due to mold! It’s a practice, for sure. Vinegar infusions, alcohol infusions (tinctures) are a little easier and less susceptible to the mold issue.
hi annie-
thanks for this concise and informative article. i am making the massage oil for a friend who just had twins at 33 weeks and will need a lot of loving care in these weeks to help the babies grow. i have read that ashwagandha (bala) oil is helpful for baby and especially preemie massage.
my question-should i dilute the amount of herb when preparing for use on delicate skin? my research doesn’t indicate that, but also doesn’t reference homemade which i always feel is better and more potent than commercially processed remedies.
also-thank you for your beautiful words reminding me to pray and speak to my herbal works. sometimes i forget : )
Dear Joani – Thank you for your kind words! Oils are lovely for babies (and maybe even moreso for moms!), and your intuition about gentleness and diluting herbs at first is an excellent one. Remember little ones’ immune systems grow and develop through the birth and intro-to-earth process, so gentle (dilute) exposure to various herbs gives their little immune systems time to react gently and become more resilient. Standard practice for working with potential allergens has shifted in the past decades – so, your friend might check in with a dietitian specializing in pediatrics to have a chat about that. All the best! Annie
Hey Annie
I’m just beginning my journey away from commercial to a more natural lifestyle all of that to say I’m confused about the water and oil mixture. I have been under the impression you shouldn’t mix water with oil macerations to prevent rancidity…any help tips and suggestions are hella appreciated thank you!
Hi Tiffaney!
Good question. The aim here is to infuse the ashwagandha into oil, and to do it in a long day rather than over weeks as you might if you are infusing fresh herbs into an oil. If you get ashuwaganda as a fresh root, I think you could do a really nice cold infusion over 6 weeks (checking it daily to skim water & air bubbles, both of which can mess up the oil infusion). I got mine as a powder, so needed to make a water mix with it THEN heat it slowly to evaporate the water AND infuse the oil.
Ultimately, you want mostly infused oil. You’ll also not want to leave the finished oil hanging around for months and months before using it up, as that water-oil issue, especially with plant matter & air in the mix, will all turn a fresh oil.
Thank you for the recipe. Do you have any experience harvesting the root? Or do you purchase locally
Hi – I don’t but would love to! I purchase from Mountain Rose Herbal – great place to find quality herbs, spices salts and such. A
How about an Ashwagandha root macerate in Black seed sesame oil directly for a six week infusion, skipping the decoction. Do you think that would be effective?
Hi Chandana – Good question – I do think it would work. The problem(s) with macerate are the woody texture – could you get it nice & smooth so that it would be reasonably pleasant? Then, would you apply it as a poultice? Oil is an easier application! Remember too that ashwagandha can be taken internally. So, depending upon what you are using it for, a pill or food form might be appropriate. The oil is nice for warm oil massage – soothing, and stress relieving.
The recipe you shared is really amazing. I regularly take ashwagandha root powder in form of capsule and its feel amazing. I think everyone should take it daily, be it capsule, oil or in cooking.
Thanks for your comment. I agree and it’s a real gem for women and for everyone in the second half of life. Fall is such a great time to make a batch!
Hi Annie
Your replies to your questioned reviews are great!! But I have a question or two.Infusing the Ashwagandha with olive oil help cellulites and stretch marks
Hi Linda!
Thanks 🙏
Cellulite & stretch marks are two natural skin issues. Caffeine (cellulite) & retinols (stretch marks) are topicals that can be helpful. Women have used cocoa butter for stretch mark healing for aeons! Since cellulite is a collection of little fat pockets, it might be that massaging yourself with this oil may make things look a bit better. Remember cellulite happens! Stretch marks too. The quality of your diet & hydration make a big impact on your skin. That and experimenting, as I’m sure response varies.
I had the same issue using ashwaganda root as opposed to powder. JUST bought it yesterday to make this over the weekend. Yes, slow cooked for 2-3hours on low. It reduced to 2 cups but is absolutely water, not thick as the recipe states. Seems like perhaps it should be clarified that one should use powder form? A lot of time to not have it work, bummer. I wish the instructions had noted powder form.
Thanks I’ll do that. I used powder, which is much more concentrated. I do think you can continue to cook your oil down…