Basic Hand Milled Herbal Soap

by Cheryl Lewis

Herbal bars are a wonderful mix for the senses. They can contain ingredients that are for cleansing and/or conditioning the skin, healing, fragrance, aromatherapy or just for fun. For more information

about different herbs and their uses you can go to the Herbs and Botanicals Glossary.

Hand milled herbal bars also have a natural homemade look to them. They usually last longer than the basic melt-n-pour soaps and if you purchase them they are usually more expensive. Save some money, pick your fragrance and enjoy making them yourself with this recipe.

Basic Hand Milled Herbal Soap

Ingredients:

1/2 cup soap base (cut in small cubes)
2 TBSP water
2 TBSP olive oil
color of your choice
fragrance
1-3 TBSP of herbs of your choice

Tools:

3 containers
microwave safe bowl or double boiler
measuring spoons
wire whisk
list of ingredients
molds

Directions:

Using three separate containers, put your soap cubes in one container, combine your liquid ingredients in another and put your herbal ingredients in the third container.

To melt your soap cubes in the microwave use 30 second intervals and stir between each interval. To melt your soap cubes using the double boiler simply place soap cubes in pan and heat on med low to low heat stirring gently almost constantly.

Once the cubes are completely melted if the soap is steaming allow it to cool enough to stop steaming. Add your liquid ingredients and stir with a whisk. Gradually add in herbs until you like the amount you have in your soap. Once all ingredients are added whisk rapidly until the melted soap has the consistency of heavy cream. Now beat (you can use an electric mixer and add oil if it becomes to sudsy) until the mixture is fluffy like egg whites.

Pour into molds and let harden. Air dry for 48 hours to two weeks.

**If you would like to use a milk soap base but have a different base, add 2 TBSP of powdered milk.

 

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Cathy Spearmon © Copyright

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written consent from the author.

Visit Soapmaking at BellaOnline for valuable information, tips and tricks and great discussions about soapmaking.

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