Holy Basil, Neen and Butterfly Pea Flowers have many skin healing benefits. Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi is anti-infammatory, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and is rich in antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin C. Tulsi repels the bacteria which causes breakouts and brightens hyper-pigmentation of skin. It helps to regenerate and increase the growth of skin cells and it’s analgesic properties make it a mild painkiller for skin irritation.
Neem is also anti-bacterial and treats acne as well as helping to prevent it. Neem helps to control oil production in the skin and it has a cooling effect which is beneficial for irritated or sensitive skin. When used regularly, neem can help to keep your skin blemish free.
As another topical antioxidant, Butterfly Peas Flowers help to improve the skins natural barrier against irritants including allergens and bacteria. Packed with these antioxidants, which improve the general health and elasticity of skin, they diminish fine lines and this improves the appearance of skin. Also, the moisturizing effects help to increase skin cell turnover, helps stop dryness and leaves the skin looking more plump, radiant and youthful. Butterfly Pea Flowers support collagen which is your skins scaffolding. They are gentle for all skin types and are good for all seasons.
Holy Basil Soap with Neem Powder and Butterfly Pea Flowers
This soap is made with skin healing and soothing herbs which makes it exceptional for acne prone or dry sensitive skin. Your teenagers will love it!
Yield: 8 bars
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls medium size - one for oils and one for lye solution. (I use a washed out 1 gallon milk jug with the top cut off leaving the handle for the lye solution.)
- 2 pyrex measuring cups 4 cup size
- 1 double boilder I just use a pan of water and place my pyrex measuring cup in the water to melt the oils. But using a double boiler is perfectly fine.
- 1 roasting pan with 1 inch sides This will be filled with ice and water as a coolng bath for the lye solution.
- 1 Digital scale with tare feature
- 2 digital thermometers one for oils and one for lye solution
- 1 soap mold I use a 1/2 gallon milk carton or similar with one side cut off and I line it with freezer paper. It's perfect for making 8 bars of soap.
- 1 box which the mold will fit into snuggly
- 1 Stick blender
- 1 set plastic measuring cups
- 1 set plastic measuring spoons
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 Silicone spatula
- 1 pair rubber gloves
- Goggles
- respirator mask
- stainless steel knife for cutting soap
Materials
Water and Lye Solution
- 7 oz distilled water
- 3.8 oz lye
- 2 Tbs Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers
- 1 Tbs Dried Holy Basil Leaf
Solid Oils
- 4.5 oz Lard
- 2.5 oz Shea Butter
- 5 oz Mango Butter
Liquid Oils
- 14 oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1.76 oz Castor Oil
- 2 Tbs Dried, Ground Holy Basil Leaf
- 1 Tbs Neem Powder
Other Materials
- 4+ cups Ice Cubes
- 2+ cups Cold Water
Instructions
- Measure solid oils in the pyrex measuring cup and set aside
- Measure liquid oils in the other pyrex measuring cup and set aside
- Add enough water to the bottom pot of the double boiler to just reach the bottom of the top pot. Place the solid oils in the top portion of the double boilder. Set heat to medium and stir the oil occasionally to speed up the melting process. When the oil is completely melted turn off the stove.
- Boil 1 cup water and pour over the Holy Basil and Butterfly Pea Flowers. Steep for at least 15 minutes. (This step should be done as soon as you start the melting process of your oils.)
- Strain 7 oz of the water into your mixing bowl or milk jug. Set aside
- Add the liquid oils to the melted solid oils at this time. This will help to cool the oil down faster. (I have found that it takes longer for the oil to cool, than it does for the lye solution.)
- Make sure that you will not be disturbed for the next few minutes. Keep children, pets, and curious men out of the area. If you can be outside, that would be ideal for the next step.
- Fill the roasting pan with ice and water. Set aside where it won't be disturbed. I use the sink.
- Put on your gloves, eye protection, respirator mask and carefully measure the lye into a plastic measuring cup or other plastic vessel.
- Slowly pour the lye into the water and stir with the woodedn spoon to completely disolve. The respirator mask is very important for you to wear. DO NOT POUR THE WATER INTO THE LYE!!!! AND... DO NOT BREATHE IN THE VAPORS FROM THE LYE SOLUTION. IN CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO YOUR LUNGS AND CAN BE FATAL.
- Place your bowl or jug with the lye solution into the ice and water bath to cool it as quickly as possible.
- Have your work area clear and get your mold and stick blender ready for the magical blending of oil and water.
- Use one digital thermometer for the oils and one for the lye solution and check the temperatures on both until they are each at 90 to 110 degrees. Ideally, they should be within 10 to 20 degrees of each other.
- Once the oils and the lye solution are to the correct temperatures, pour the oil into your clean mixing bowl and add in the lye solution. Using the stick blender, stir for just a few seconds to get the mixing started.
- Place the stick blender in the center of the bowl touching the bottom of the bowl and pluse a few times. Stop pulsing and stir for a moment. Repeat this process until the soap reaches trace. (Trace is when you see traces or soft ridges or lines in the soap when you lift the blender out and run it along the top of the soap.) Once the soap has reached trace, it is ready to pour into your mold.
- Carefully set the blender aside in the empty lye solution bowl. Pour the soap into the prepared molds and using the silicone spatula, scrape as much soap out of the bowl as possible. Use the spatula to even out the top of the soap in the mold or to make a wavy or other pattern on the top of the soap.
- Cover the mold with an inverted box and cover with a towel. This process will make the soap darker in color and will keep the soap from cooling too fast.
- If using this type of mold which doesn't have very sturdy sides, place the mold in the center of two stacks of books or maybe with one side against a wall. This will keep the sides of the mold from bulging out and distoring the shape of your bars.
- After 24 to 48 hours, remove the soap from the mold and cut into 8 equal size bars. I usually unmold the soap after 24 hours, but this one was still very soft. (I waited until the next day, and it was the perfect amount of hardness to be able to cut it easily with just a knife.)
- Space the bars out on a flat surface covered in freezer paper or you can use something like a envelope you received an amazon order in. Those work perfectly for this step. An unused bookshelf is a good space for the bars to cure, just make sure they are out of the reach of children and pets.
- Cure the bars for 6 to 8 weeks, turning the bars onto the various edges every day or two, so they dry evenly.
- Once the bars are completely cured, wrap them in butcher paper or similar to keep them from fading until you use them.