How to Make Herbal Soaps

What is a Herbal Soap?

Herbal soap is a kind of soap mixed with natural ingredients, juice or extract and vitamins from medicinal plants.

How to Prepare Herbal Soap:

Utensils:

• Plastic pail
• Wooden ladle or bamboo stick
• Glass or cup
• Mortar and pestle
• Cheese cloth or strainer
• Knife
• Chopping board
• Cooking pot (preferably made of clay, enamel, stainless or glass)
• Stove
• Plastic molders

Akapulko and Guava Soap:

How to Prepare a Decoction:

1. Wash the leaves thoroughly and chop or cut in small pieces.
2. Measure 1 glass of chopped fresh leaves and 2 glasses of water.
3. Let it boil for 15 minutes (start timing when the water starts to boil).
4. After 15 minutes, remove from fire and strain in a cheesecloth. Set aside and let it cool.

Materials:

• 1 glass Caustic Soda (NaOH)
• 3 glasses Akapulko or Guava decoction, cooled
• 5 glasses cooking oil
• coloring powder (optional)

Procedure:

1. Prepare the materials and the utensils needed.
2. Measure 1 glass of caustic soda and 3 glasses of Akapulko or Guava decoction and pour into a plastic pail.
3. Mix well by stirring continuously using a wooden ladle or bamboo stick. Use only one direction in mixing the mixture. Stir until the caustic soda is dissolved.
4. Pour 5 glasses cooking oil into the mixture.
5. Continue stirring until a consistency of a condensed milk is achieved.
6. Pour the soap mixture into desired plastic molders. Set aside and let it cool to harden.
7. After 4-5 hours, remove the soap from the molder.
8. Allow 30 days of ageing before packing. Label the soaps.

Indications:

• Akapulko leaves - anti-fungal
• Guava leaves - antiseptic for wounds

Kamias, Calamansi, Papaya, Cucumber and Radish Soaps:

Materials:

• 1 glass Caustic Soda (NaOH)
• 3 glasses water
• 5 glasses cooking oil
• 1/2 glass juice or extract

Procedure:

1. Prepare the materials and the utensils needed.
2. Measure 1 glass of caustic soda and 3 glasses of water and pour into a plastic pail.
3. Mix well by stirring continuously using a wooden ladle or bamboo stick. Use only one direction in mixing the mixture. Stir until the caustic soda is dissolved.
4. Pour 5 glasses cooking oil into the mixture.
5. Continue stirring until a consistency of a condensed milk is achieved and add 1/2 glass of juice or extract.
6. Pour the soap mixture into desired plastic molders. Set aside and let it cool to harden.
7. After 4-5 hours, remove the soap from the molder.
8. Allow 30 days of ageing before packing. Label the soaps.

Indications:

• Kamias - fruit extract or juice (bleaching soap)
• Calamansi - fruit extract or juice (bleaching soap)
• Cucumber - fruit extract or juice (moisturizer)
• Papaya - extract from fresh leaves (bleaching/moisturizer)
• Radish - extract from the stem (moisturizer)

Reminder:

• Caustic Soda can harm the skin upon contact. Wash immediately with vinegar or anything sour and then wash it with soap and water.
• Caustic Soda is harmful to health and so, make the necessary precaution. Use mask and gloves to protect your body.