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How to make your own herbal soap
Make your own herbal soap
You can easily make fragrant, pretty herbal soaps by using castile soap and adding fragrant herbs and a few drops of essential oils. Castile soap is a pure soap made from vegetable oils, without any added colorings or perfumes.
Materials needed
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons dried fragrant herbs, finely ground
Saucepan and enamelware or glass container to use as a double boiler
2 bars of castile soap, grated (approximately 2 cups)
essential oils
waxed paper
Procedure
Bring water to a boil. Add ground herbs, and steep for 15 minutes.
Pour the steeped liquid into the enamelware or glass container, set over a saucepan of water, and reheat. Add the soap and a few drops of essential oil. Stir on low heat unitl the soap mixture is the consistency of softened butter.
Knead the soap mixture together and shape into plum-size balls. Dry on waxed paper for two to five days, and then store in plastic bags.
Helpful hints: Avoid using metal containers or spoons when you are making herbal soaps because the metal can react with herbal ingredients.
Although natural, some essential oils may irritate sensitive skin. Test the essential oil by putting a drop or two on the pad of an adhesive bandage strip and placing the strip on your inner arm between the wrist and the elbow. Leave the strip on for 24 hours, then check your skin for any redness or irritation.
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