Making homemade soap will bring you back in time. There’s nothing like the scent of freshly made, scented soap. There’s an art to it since you can use whatever herbs or combination of herbs you want!
I first made soap as a kid with my mom. We made several different kinds each with their own uses and healing properties to give as gifts to our friends and family. What surprised us our soap was never used . . . they were too lovely as bathroom decorations!
But, you should use them! Healing herbs increase glycerin’s ability to cleanse in a natural, healthful way.
Gylcerin soaps are just one way to make soap. It’s a gentle base that’s easy to blend with herbs.
Why Make Your Own Soap
Making your own herbal soap is much cheaper than buying it . . . and you can limit your ecological impact.
And your skin will thank you! You skin is the largest organ in the body. It requires the care the rest of your body receives.
The skin has three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the fatty layer. The epidermis, for that is where healing soaps do their work. New skin cells form and rise from the bottom of the epidermis; at the top, old cells slough off. The life cycle of these cells is twenty-eight to thirty days, unless exposed to sun, abrasion, or sleep-deprivation.
The epidermis layer can be regenerated and virtually made anew with proper care! This means avoiding UV rays, harsh weather, and temperature extremes (overly hot showers, facials, or saunas, for example). And, through proper cleansing of the skin.
This herbal soap recipe is one way to prevent and correct damage and keep your skin looking young, fresh, and health!
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) each have a stimulating effect on the skin. Both are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and beneficial for treating wounds, blemishes, boils, dermatitis, and other skin troubles.
Step 1 – Tools:
- A double boiler
- Cheesecloth.
- Plastic soap molds or tupperwares.
Begin this soap by making an infusion of fresh lavender flowers and rosemary leaves. To make an infusion, pour one cup of steaming hot water over three tablespoons of dried or fresh lavender flowers and rosemary leaves (proportioned as you like) and steep for ten minutes.
Lavender and Rosemary Soap
Ingredients
- 3 cups Glycerin soap base
- 1/4 cup Lavender flowers/rosemary leaves infusion
- 1 1/2 tsp Lavender infused oil
- 1/2 tsp Rosemary infused oil
Instructions
- Make infusion of fresh lavender flowers and rosemary leaves. To make an infusion, pour one cup of steaming hot water over three tablespoons of dried or fresh lavender flowers and rosemary leaves, in whichever portion you choose, and steep for ten minutes.
- Melted glycerin in a double boiler. and herbal materials. Stir until blended, then pour into molds and cool. This soap is very pleasing—so try not to give it all away! Store some in a linen closet for yourself and your family.
- Add infusion and the rest of the infused oils.
- Stir until blended, then pour into molds and cool.
Combine melted base and herbal materials. Stir until blended, then pour into molds and cool. This soap is very pleasing—so try not to give it all away! Store some in a linen closet for yourself and your family.
Sources:
- Maine, Sandy. “How to Make Homemade Soaps with Herbs.” November/December 1997. Mother Earth Living. Accessed: May 20, 2020. https://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/soothing-soaps
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