Enjoy to soak in the bath tub for long periods of time? Most of us probably do not have the time to do it often but when we do we appreciate more. So the next time you get a chance to soak in the tub, why not add an extra touch of an an aromatherapy bath oil.
Aromatherapy bath oil won't only moisturize and nourish the skin, but it will do wonders to ease stress. A warm aromatherapy bath is a great way to revitalize and calm jangled nerves after a tough day. Add a few drops to your bath water, and sit back and enjoy the delightful scents.
So does this intrique you to add this to your next bath? Then check out the recipe on How to Make Aromatherapy Bath Oil by a contributing writer for ehow. If you like the scent of fresh blossoms then you should try the second recipe in the article. The author gives you some good tips on how to make the recipe more special.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Room Temperature Cold Process Soap Making
By Shelley Fluegge
When I first started researching soap making I found there were three ways of making soap. The easiest and least labor intense was melt and pour, this soap comes as a solid and is just heated up and becomes a liquid, you add in whatever you want to the soap, pour it in a mold and let it set up. Pretty simple but not what I was looking for.
The other two methods were the actual process of creating soap from oils, water and sodium hydroxide. Hot process did not appeal to me, I didn't think standing over a stove cooking soap sounded like an enjoyable time so I began to focus on cold process soapmaking. Cold process soapmaking does not require any external heat as the name suggests. I read instructions that detailed the oil had to be 110F and the lye had to be 100, but the next bit of information I found stated each had to be 100, or 95, or one had to be 95 and the other 100 and others stated ‘warm to the touch’ Im not about to touch hot lye water or oil to see if its cooled enough. It was making me crazy! But I settled on one and gave it a shot.
Then after many batches I read about room temperature soaping and gave it a try. I was very happy with the ease and efficiency I have while soaping at room temperature. This is my method: Measure several batches of oil at one time. I simpley line up all of my buckets and measure my oils out in assembly line fashion, cover and put away until its time to soap. Measure out two batches of my water-half in ice form and half in liquid form, add my 2 batches worth of lye and let cool. I place it in a cool locked room. Sometimes it sits overnight or for a few days. I prefer to leave it in an extra bathroom inside the bathtub just incase of a spill.
On the day I am going to soap I prepare my mold by lining it with freezer paper, measure out whatever I may be adding into my soap such as clays, dyes, essential or fragrance oils and grab one batch of oil. Since I use some hard oils in my recipe I take my stick blender to the oil mixture and make sure there are no solid pieces remaining and now its time to create soap by adding in the lye slowly and stirring until trace. Trace is the name for the stage where the soap looks like a thin custard, its ready to pour into the mold now unless you plan on scenting, layering, swirling or adding in exfoliants.
Once the soap is poured its time to put it to bed. I place mine in my oven, but many people prefer to put their soap in a box covered in blankets. The soap will become hot and go through another stage called gelling.You can cut your soap in a day or two but industry standard is 3 weeks of waiting before use or sale.
I chose room temperature cold process soap because of its efficiency. I dont have to wait for my oil or lye water to cool, I just grab and soap. Prior to this method I did the 100-110F method and it took a very long time from start to finish and each time I had a huge mess of oils all over and only one little batch of soap to show for it. Now I have one messy oily day and 6-8 batches of oil waiting to be soaped to show for it! My soaping sessions went from an hour or longer to no more than 20 minutes.
Shelley Fluegge is the owner of Bella Sapone a soap, bath and body business.
Source: http://www.italianhandmadesoap.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Fluegge http://EzineArticles.com/?Room-Temperature-Cold-Processing-Soap-Making-Method&id=535441
When I first started researching soap making I found there were three ways of making soap. The easiest and least labor intense was melt and pour, this soap comes as a solid and is just heated up and becomes a liquid, you add in whatever you want to the soap, pour it in a mold and let it set up. Pretty simple but not what I was looking for.
The other two methods were the actual process of creating soap from oils, water and sodium hydroxide. Hot process did not appeal to me, I didn't think standing over a stove cooking soap sounded like an enjoyable time so I began to focus on cold process soapmaking. Cold process soapmaking does not require any external heat as the name suggests. I read instructions that detailed the oil had to be 110F and the lye had to be 100, but the next bit of information I found stated each had to be 100, or 95, or one had to be 95 and the other 100 and others stated ‘warm to the touch’ Im not about to touch hot lye water or oil to see if its cooled enough. It was making me crazy! But I settled on one and gave it a shot.
Then after many batches I read about room temperature soaping and gave it a try. I was very happy with the ease and efficiency I have while soaping at room temperature. This is my method: Measure several batches of oil at one time. I simpley line up all of my buckets and measure my oils out in assembly line fashion, cover and put away until its time to soap. Measure out two batches of my water-half in ice form and half in liquid form, add my 2 batches worth of lye and let cool. I place it in a cool locked room. Sometimes it sits overnight or for a few days. I prefer to leave it in an extra bathroom inside the bathtub just incase of a spill.
On the day I am going to soap I prepare my mold by lining it with freezer paper, measure out whatever I may be adding into my soap such as clays, dyes, essential or fragrance oils and grab one batch of oil. Since I use some hard oils in my recipe I take my stick blender to the oil mixture and make sure there are no solid pieces remaining and now its time to create soap by adding in the lye slowly and stirring until trace. Trace is the name for the stage where the soap looks like a thin custard, its ready to pour into the mold now unless you plan on scenting, layering, swirling or adding in exfoliants.
Once the soap is poured its time to put it to bed. I place mine in my oven, but many people prefer to put their soap in a box covered in blankets. The soap will become hot and go through another stage called gelling.You can cut your soap in a day or two but industry standard is 3 weeks of waiting before use or sale.
I chose room temperature cold process soap because of its efficiency. I dont have to wait for my oil or lye water to cool, I just grab and soap. Prior to this method I did the 100-110F method and it took a very long time from start to finish and each time I had a huge mess of oils all over and only one little batch of soap to show for it. Now I have one messy oily day and 6-8 batches of oil waiting to be soaped to show for it! My soaping sessions went from an hour or longer to no more than 20 minutes.
Shelley Fluegge is the owner of Bella Sapone a soap, bath and body business.
Source: http://www.italianhandmadesoap.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Fluegge http://EzineArticles.com/?Room-Temperature-Cold-Processing-Soap-Making-Method&id=535441
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Stearic Acid (Palm Stearic Flakes)
Specifications:
Botanical Name- Palm derived
Origin- USA
Extraction- Hydrolysis
Shelf life- Indefinite/5+ years
Color- White
Odor- Waxy
Acid Value- 208.7
Peroxide Value- <0.9>Non-Saponifiable
Saponification Value- 209
Iodine Value- 0.17
Melting Point- 150 degrees
Specific Notes- Stores well under most conditions, with an indefinite shelf life. Stearic acid is successfully used to thicken creams and lotions at about 2-5%.
Summary
Our Stearic Acid is 100% Palm derived, with no added chemicals, emulsifiers or other agents and is presented in the form of convenient 1/8 - 1/4 inch flakes.
Popularly used to emulsify, thicken, bind, and stabilize lotions and creams, Stearic Acid has become the number one choice for most body care manufacturers.
Stearic Acid occurs naturally in vegetable and animal fats, but has to go through a Hydrogenation process to convert it to the end product which is currently bought and sold as the Stearic Acid we have all come to know.
Hydrogenation typically refers to processes through which liquid vegetable oils are converted to solid or semi-solid fats, such as margarine. It refers to a chemical reaction in which "unsaturated" bonds between carbon atoms are "reduced" by attachment of a hydrogen atom to each carbon. The process thus results in the "saturation" of the atoms and, when carried to completion, converts unsaturated fatty acids to saturated ones. The end result is a white, waxy, natural fatty acid.
It is fairly insoluble in water but can become somewhat soluble in alcohol.
Source: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/steric.html
Botanical Name- Palm derived
Origin- USA
Extraction- Hydrolysis
Shelf life- Indefinite/5+ years
Color- White
Odor- Waxy
Acid Value- 208.7
Peroxide Value- <0.9>Non-Saponifiable
Saponification Value- 209
Iodine Value- 0.17
Melting Point- 150 degrees
Specific Notes- Stores well under most conditions, with an indefinite shelf life. Stearic acid is successfully used to thicken creams and lotions at about 2-5%.
Summary
Our Stearic Acid is 100% Palm derived, with no added chemicals, emulsifiers or other agents and is presented in the form of convenient 1/8 - 1/4 inch flakes.
Popularly used to emulsify, thicken, bind, and stabilize lotions and creams, Stearic Acid has become the number one choice for most body care manufacturers.
Stearic Acid occurs naturally in vegetable and animal fats, but has to go through a Hydrogenation process to convert it to the end product which is currently bought and sold as the Stearic Acid we have all come to know.
Hydrogenation typically refers to processes through which liquid vegetable oils are converted to solid or semi-solid fats, such as margarine. It refers to a chemical reaction in which "unsaturated" bonds between carbon atoms are "reduced" by attachment of a hydrogen atom to each carbon. The process thus results in the "saturation" of the atoms and, when carried to completion, converts unsaturated fatty acids to saturated ones. The end result is a white, waxy, natural fatty acid.
It is fairly insoluble in water but can become somewhat soluble in alcohol.
Source: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/steric.html
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
How to Soap Gel for Hand Soap
Buying individual plastic bottles of hand soap can be expensive and it creates more unneeded trash. Why not recycle the plastic soap dispensers and put in your own handmade soap? According to Eliza Yetter of ehow, you can make your own soaps if you buy unscented melt and pour soap base that you find in the craft stores. If you want you can scent your gel with your favorite fragrance or essential oil. What is great about this recipe is that is so simple that you can change the scent each time you make a new batch.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2159439_soap-gel-hand-soap.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2159439_soap-gel-hand-soap.html
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Aromatherapy: It Makes Scents!
by Candace Welsh
"Smell and touch are noted to be our most primitive senses. They are powerful healers when used together with pur integrity." - Michelangelo
By itself, aromatherapy is a powerful healing tool. When aromatherapy is combined with bodywork, a healing synergy is created, and the effects of both therapies are elevated. Aromatherapy can enhance a healing session on the physical, mental and emotional levels. Through aromatherapy, you have the opportunity to take your sessions to a new level of healing.
Ancient wisdom
Aromatherapy refers to the therapeutic use of pure essential oils. Today this ancient medicinal art is being rediscovered, thanks to a societal craving for the soulful elements of life.
Essential oils have been used in religious and spiritual practices for thousands of years, to anoint, purify and protect. Anthropologists have determined that aromatherapy, in the form of primitive perfumery, has existed in some form as far back as 7000 BC, when fragrant plants were combined with natural oils to create ointments. The Egyptians, for example, used plant resins and gums for ceremonial as well as medicinal purposes, as far back as 3000 BC.
The use of plants for healing fell out of favor as the Western model of medicine advanced through the 18th and 19th centuries. It wasn’t until 1928 that the word “aromatherapy” was coined, by French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse. One day in his lab, Gattefosse badly burned his hand. He applied lavender oil to the burn and found that this caused his wound to heal quickly and without pain, blistering or scarring. Gattefosse went on to research the healing effects of other oils. Thus was born modern-day aromatherapy.
Source: https://www.massagemag.com/Magazine/2001/issue93/arom.php
"Smell and touch are noted to be our most primitive senses. They are powerful healers when used together with pur integrity." - Michelangelo
By itself, aromatherapy is a powerful healing tool. When aromatherapy is combined with bodywork, a healing synergy is created, and the effects of both therapies are elevated. Aromatherapy can enhance a healing session on the physical, mental and emotional levels. Through aromatherapy, you have the opportunity to take your sessions to a new level of healing.
Ancient wisdom
Aromatherapy refers to the therapeutic use of pure essential oils. Today this ancient medicinal art is being rediscovered, thanks to a societal craving for the soulful elements of life.
Essential oils have been used in religious and spiritual practices for thousands of years, to anoint, purify and protect. Anthropologists have determined that aromatherapy, in the form of primitive perfumery, has existed in some form as far back as 7000 BC, when fragrant plants were combined with natural oils to create ointments. The Egyptians, for example, used plant resins and gums for ceremonial as well as medicinal purposes, as far back as 3000 BC.
The use of plants for healing fell out of favor as the Western model of medicine advanced through the 18th and 19th centuries. It wasn’t until 1928 that the word “aromatherapy” was coined, by French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse. One day in his lab, Gattefosse badly burned his hand. He applied lavender oil to the burn and found that this caused his wound to heal quickly and without pain, blistering or scarring. Gattefosse went on to research the healing effects of other oils. Thus was born modern-day aromatherapy.
Source: https://www.massagemag.com/Magazine/2001/issue93/arom.php
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