Feed Me That logoWhere dinner gets done
previousnext


Title: Sweet Marjoram Soap
Categories: Herb Info
Yield: 1 Info

1ozFresh or
1/2ozSweet Marjoram
2/3cBoiling water
3tsCaustic soda (Lye!)
1cAlmond oil
4ozCoconut oil
1tbGlycerine
1tbFine oatmeal

1. line 2 or 3 soap dishes or small, shallow molds with waxed paper, polyethylene wrap, or wet cotton. (the illustration shows a heart shaped mold, I'm thinking that, or a sea shell mold would be lovely.)

2. Infuse the marjoram in boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain into a glass or china bowl.

3. When slightly cooled, stir in the caustic soda with a wooden spoon until dissolved. Leave until lukewarm. (NOTE: Caustic soda is a powerful corrosive. Wear long sleeves, rubber gloves, and, if any spills on your skin, wash off promptly with cold water. Keep children out of the way. The fumes are damaging, so avoid breathing above the pan. Preferably do this step outside to disperse as many fumes as possible.) Also, be sure that you add caustic soda TO the liquid, not the other way around. Adding the liquid to the lye will cause a LOT of heat, it can boil up and burn you.

4. Put oils and glycerine in an enamel or stainless steel pan and gently warm to dissolve. Carefully pour oils and glycerine into the bowl. Stir until mixture thickens, which may take 20 minutes. Stir in the fine oatmeal, and any other ingredients, such as chopped herbs, essential oils, etc.

5. Pour into prepared molds, cover with a thick cloth and leave in a warm place for 2 days or until set.

6. When the soap is set, unmold and wrap in fresh waxed paper (or tissue paper?) and leave in a cool dry cupboard for at least two weeks to mature. (I'd leave 'em in my linen closet, for the scent.)

Other herbs can be substituted for the marjoram, or try using your choice of essential oils. The book recommends oil of cloves as making a very good soap scent. (that would make a nice gift for a man!)

This makes a fine compection soap.

From: "THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS & SPICES - An Illustrated Guide to growing and using culinary, aromatic, cosmetic and medicinal plants" by Sara Garland. A Reader's Digest Book - 1993. Previously published by The Viking Press; 1979. ISBN# 0-89577-499-2

previousnext