Title: Queen of the Nile
Categories: Soap *
Yield: 1 Batch

FATS AND OILS
		90øF to 100øF
LYE SOLUTION
		90øF to 100øF
INGREDIENTS
198	g	Sodium hydroxide
12 3/4	oz	Distilled water
1	lb	Olive oil
3 1/2	oz	Wheat germ oil
1	lb	Coconut oil
14	oz	Palm oil
3/16	oz	Beeswax
1/2	c	Oatmeal
6 3/8	oz	Buttermilk
12	g	Grapefruit seed extract, optional
10	ts	Honey
7	ts	Pure essential oil or fragrance oil, optional

Dissolve the sodium hydroxide into the 12.8 oz of water, stirring quickly to dissolve thoroughly. Melt the beeswax along with the coconut and palm oils.

When the lye solution and the melted fats and oils come close to the desired soapmaking temperature, gently heat the milk to the same temperature. Whisking quickly and firmly with a stainless steel whisk, add the buttermilk to the lye solution. Once t is well blended, immediately begin pouring the lye/milk mixture into the melted fats and oils, beating briskly and firmly from start to finish.

Add the oatmeal at the trace, just before pouring the soap.

Note: Larger quantities of honey can replace a portion of the water (1/2 to 3/4 cup). Add the sodium hydroxide to the water/honey mixture and proceed as usual. The active properties in the honey are destroyed by the lye, but the honey contributes richness, moisture, and color to the final bars.

Source: "The Soapmaker's Companion" by Susan Miller Cavitch

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