Home Made Herbal Soap Recipe:
Because this soap recipe uses caustic soda, it is best to make it outside, or, if inside, near a wide open window. You do have to be careful not to breathe the fumes: Caustic soda burns, so be very careful not to get any on your skin, or to breathe its fumes, whilst using it. If you have an accident and do get a drop on the skin, then wash off immediately under cold running water. The recipe uses only a small quantity of caustic soda – 3 teaspoons – but you still need to exercise care. Do not make this soap recipe when there are children around.
Use herbs such as rosemary, comfrey, clary sage, feverfew, lemon geranium, lavender buds, or finely chopped lemon peel.
Take 50 gm, or 2 oz of your chosen fresh herbs. Chop up very finely. Pour over 1/4 pint of boiling water, which is roughly 3/4 of a teacup. Leave to infuse for 1/2 an hour.
Now line your soap dishes. You can use any small bowls, such as Chinese or Japanese sauce dishes. For the quantity of this recipe, you would need no more than three. You can use either fine plastic glad wrap, or greased paper, or a small piece of fine cotton cloth, such as gauze, or muslin to line your soap dishes. If using cloth, wet it first, then wring it our before lining the wee bowl.
Now strain your herbal infusion into a glass or china bowl – you must not use metals with caustic soda. Gradually sprinkle over the caustic soda, using a plastic or wooden spoon.
Now, in a medium sized cooking pot, put 1/2 pint of olive oil, 4 oz of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of glycerine. Gently warm up and mix together.
Take off the heat and carefully add it to the caustic soda and herb mixture, stirring well as you add it. Now beat the whole mixture for about 20 minutes. This can be done with a hand beater, or with an electric hand-held whisk. The beating is an essential part of the process, as it puts air into the mixture, which creates the soap. Then, when it is done, add 2 tablespoons of fine oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of the essential oil of your choice: Patchouli, or rosemary, lavender, neroli, ylang ylang, all make beautifully perfumed soaps. You could use cedar or tea tree if you wanted a more masculine tone.
Stir in the oatmeal and essential oils, then pour into your wee lined china or glass moulds. Leave the soap to set for about 3 days. After this time, you can remove your set soap from its mould, wrap in clean waxed paper, or some glad-wrap. Let the soap mature before using. It is best kept in a dry place for around 2 to 3 weeks.
These little soaps make neat gifts for people. They can be wrapped in coloured cellophane paper and tied with ribbon.