Homemade soaps are perfect as gifts, and are made from natural ingredients that are available at most health shops.
A firm favourite is lavender and rosemary soap, also known as the soap for blemished skin. Both lavender and rosemary are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and great for treating wounds and blemishes.
Ingredients:
1. 3 cups glycerine soap base
2. ¼ cup infusion of lavender flowers and rosemary leaves
3. ½ teaspoon lavender oil
4. ½ teaspoon rosemary oil
Method:
Make an infusion of dried lavender flowers and rosemary leaves.
1. Use a double boiler to melt the soap base into liquid form.
2. Add the infusion and oils (you can add some pulverized rosemary leaves to add to the look of your soap).
3. Stir to ensure even distribution and then immediately pour into your mould. Remember to first wrap your mould with plastic wrap.
4. Leave overnight to ensure the soaps are hard enough before removing.
More recipes:
Pure coconut oil soap:
¼ cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon lye (sodium hydroxide)
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon essential oils of your choice.
Herby citrus soap:
mint
rosemary
orange
lemon
Chai latte soap:
90ml palm oil
90ml coconut oil
90ml olive oil
30ml cocoa butter
30ml castor oil
46ml lye
100ml water
Lemon soap:
Lemon essential oil
Lemon juice from 3-4 lemons
Pumpkin soap:
32ml olive oil,
16ml coconut oil,
8ml sunflower oil,
6ml cocoa butter,
18ml water
8ml lye
Garden mint soap:
4ml avocado oil
24ml coconut oil
28ml olive oil
4ml castor oil
2ml mango butter
9ml lye
19ml mint tea
Oatmeal soap
40 drops sweet almond oil
¼ cup oatmeal
There are endless variations and ingredients to experiment with, so get going – and get creative.
Claire Brown is an natural remedy expert based in Northcliff.
