Castile soap, originating in the Kingdom of Castilla in the country we now call Spain, is derived from olive oil. It contains oleic acid that works as a natural humectant and skin regenerator and is commonly used to make homemade soaps and shampoos. Castile soap contains no harsh chemicals or detergents that may damage your skin. Additionally, Castile soap contains no animal fats and is environmentally friendly. Always consult your dermatologist if you experience an adverse reaction from using Castile soap on your skin.
Step 1
Place all your dry herbs in a glass mason jar and pour boiling hot water, filling it 1/2 inch above the herbs.
Step 2
Close the jar and let the herbs steep overnight to make a strong and concentrated herbal infusion.
Step 3
Strain out the herbs using a cheesecloth or a colander and set aside the herbal infusion.
Step 4
Pour in your Castile soap and mix well with a spoon.
Step 5
Add your essential oils to the mixture. You can choose alternate essential oils if you want a different scent for your hand soap, as long as you keep the noted proportions. Some essential oils that may work well include lavender, chamomile, rose and rosemary. Keeping the tea tree essential oil in the formula provides antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that are a good addition to your hand soap.
Step 6
Transfer your mixture to a soap bottle with a pump and shake well before each use to blend in the essential oils.
Tips and Warnings
- A few drops of blue chamomile essential oil will add a calming scent to your hand soap and also color it a light blue. You can also use this soap for your face, as it is gentle enough that it won't strip away your oils or cause irritation.
- If you are considering using other essential oils, make sure they will not cause irritation to your skin and that they are safe to use with children if the soap will be accessible for others to use.
Things You'll Need
- 1 tsp. dry sage leaf
- 2 tsp. dry comfrey root
- 1 tsp. yarrow leaf
- Filtered water
- Glass mason jar with lid
- Cheesecloth or colander
- Spoon
- 3 oz. Castile soap
- 25 drops lime essential oil
- 15 drops sage essential oil
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
References
- Andalusia Soap Company: What is Castile Soap?
- "Earthly Bodies and Heavenly Hair"; Dina Falconi; 1998
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