Jewelweed boasts little jewel-like orange flowers and the ability to heal the poison ivy rash. You can usually find jewelweed growing right next to poison ivy. Making glycerin soap base jewelweed soap for this project is much easier than making some other types of soaps, especially for a beginner. You won’t have to fuss with lye, fats or oils. Glycerin soap base is readily available from hobby and craft stores.
Things You'll Need:
- Blooming Jewelweed Plants
- Soap Mold
- Glycerin Soap Base
- Orange Essential Oil
- Orange Soap Coloring
- Cooking Oil Spray
Gather flowers, leaves and stems from blooming jewelweed plants. Coarsely chop 1 cup of the plant material and add to 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the water turns dark.
Strain the infusion through a coffee filter into a heat-proof jar or bowl. Reserve the liquid and add the plant material to your compost heap.
Melt 2 cups glycerin soap base in a double boiler. Remove the pan from the heat, and add ½ cup jewelweed infusion. Stir well to blend thoroughly. Allow the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add two drops of orange soap coloring and seven drops of orange essential oil. Stir very well.
Coat your soap mold with a very light layer of cooking oil spray. Pour the liquid into the mold and cool it at room temperature. Remove your jewelweed soap from the mold and enjoy it.
Writer Bio
A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. He publishes online articles with major focus on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness. He also covers parenting, juvenile science experiments, cooking and alternative/home remedies. Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth.
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