African Herbs For Homemade Soap Making

By Jessica Rogers May 16, 2023 16 mins read 107 Views

African herbs are a wonderful addition to homemade soap making. They can add natural color, texture, and scent to your soap.

When adding dried flowers or herbs to your soap, you want to make sure they are completely dry before blending them in with the lye solution. Otherwise, they may rot or mold.

Comfrey

Comfrey, also known as knitbone, is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat bruises, sprains, and other injuries. It is anti-inflammatory and contains a protein called allantoin which stimulates cell growth and healing.

This natural plant is a great addition to homemade soap making! It can add a variety of natural and beneficial properties to your soap, such as its skin-healing, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial qualities.

To make a soap using comfrey, infuse the leaves of your choice with a small amount of oil (either olive or coconut). Allow the infused oil to steep for 24-48 hours.

Then, combine the infused oils with lye and heat them until they reach 100 degrees F or near there. Once they reach this temperature, add your dried calendula petals, chamomile flowers, and ground comfrey root or leaves. Mix well, and then pour into your soap base. Adding the dried herbs will give your soap a natural green color.

Cornflowers

The bright blue cornflower is a member of the Asteraceae family. This herbaceous annual grows easily from seed and makes a good bedding plant or cut flower.

It is a hardy and attractive wildflower that reseeds readily in a sunny position and is an ideal companion for other flowers in a garden. They attract butterflies and other beneficial insects, so they are a useful addition to any home garden.

You can grow cornflowers in your garden or in a wildflower meadow. Their slender stems are easy to grow in sunny areas and their blooms will begin in early summer and continue throughout the season.

Cornflower petals, dried or fresh, add a beautiful bright blue color to soap. They are also thought to strengthen the skin and improve eyesight.

Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial plant that grows in the temperate regions of North America, Europe and Asia. It has fern-like leaves and flowers of red, pink, salmon, yellow or white.

When used in homemade soap making, yarrow is a great way to add natural and beneficial properties to your soap. It has antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help heal wounds faster.

It also helps open pores and stimulate circulation in the skin and blood. This helps promote a healthy lymphatic system that picks up wastes from the body and eliminates them via blood and other eliminative channels.

Yarrow is often used as an herb to treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or acne. It also has antispasmodic properties that help reduce gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, flatulence and cramping.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb with a variety of medicinal and culinary properties. It can be used as an essential oil, or in dried sprigs to season food.

I love adding herbs to my soap making, as they add natural and beneficial properties to my soap. For example, rosemary is a powerful anti-inflammatory and astringent.

It can also help to reduce swelling and puffiness in the skin, as well as heal wounds. It can also help to improve your mood and alleviate mental overwhelm.

You can also make a rosemary oil using fresh sprigs. For best results, pick the leaves when they are at their peak (mid-morning) and dry them completely before using to make infused oils.

Once you have dried your herbs, place them in a pot to dry out any remaining moisture. It is important that they are completely dry because if they are damp, the lye will rot them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the disadvantages of using herbs?

Herbs are a great way to keep your body healthy because they contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, phytonutrients, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, carotenoids, sterols, and sterolins. Some even contain cannabinoids.

But there are also lots of side effects associated with herbal remedies. For example, taking too much herb could cause liver damage or even death. Herbal supplements may interact with prescription drugs, which means that they might affect how well the drug works.

Some herbs can interfere with blood clotting, while others may increase bleeding when taken with anticoagulants (blood thinners).

There are also safety concerns for pregnant women and children.

The bottom line is that herbs aren't safe for everyone. If you're considering trying them out, do your homework. Look up each product's side effects and warnings and read reviews online.

What is the difference between basil and oregano?

Both of these herbs belong to the Lamiaceae family. They share similar flavors, but the differences are obvious.

Oregano is more pungent than basil. It also adds an extra layer of flavor to foods.

Basil leaves are smaller than oregano leaves. They are also softer and less aromatic.

The two herbs are often used interchangeably. Although they are quite similar, each has its distinctive qualities.

What plant helps with infection?

There are plants out there that help fight infections. Some even contain anti-bacterial properties. One of them is mint.

Mint has been used for centuries to treat respiratory infections such as cold symptoms and flu. Mint also supports digestion and relieves gas pains. You may find relief with peppermint tea if you have an upset stomach. Peppermint oil has antibacterial properties, which make it effective against germs.

Peppermint tea contains menthol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. These nutrients support healthy immune systems and provide energy to keep your body strong.

You can make peppermint tea at home by adding one teaspoon of dried mint leaves to boiling water. Let steep for five minutes and drink hot three times per day.

Or you can buy peppermint tea bags at any grocery store. Simply add two teaspoons of dried mint leaves to a cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Drink hot three times per day for best results.

Which spices from the kitchen are used to cure diseases?

There are more than 4000 medicinal plants that are widely distributed throughout the world. Some of these plants contain active compounds that may help treat various ailments.

In India alone, there are more than 1000 species of herbs that are used for medical purposes. This includes Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Siddha medicine, Homeopathic medicine, and Chinese medicine.

The most common ingredient found in these medicines is ginger. Ginger contains volatile oils that give it its aromatic flavor. These oils contain anti-inflammatory properties that make them useful against arthritis, fever, vomiting, and indigestion.

Ginger also helps relieve nausea and stomach cramps caused due to pregnancy. Pregnant women often consume ginger tea to reduce morning sickness. Ginger is also commonly used for cough and cold relief.

Another spice that is known to have medicinal value is turmeric. Turmeric contains curcumin which has been shown to inhibit tumor growth. This makes it an effective cancer treatment.

Turmeric is also considered to be very beneficial for joint health. It relieves inflammation and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also believed to prevent osteoporosis.

Garlic, too, is another herb that is extensively used in traditional medicine. Its healing qualities include treating infections, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes and even reducing cholesterol levels. Garlic oil is also used to treat wounds and insect bites.

Garlic is a natural antibiotic that fights bacteria and viruses. The antibacterial property makes it ideal for treating respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

It is also helpful in preventing urinary tract infections.

Other spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cayenne, mustard seeds, fennel, and coriander are also used to treat different illnesses.

Is basil good for kidneys?

The answer is yes. Basil is an excellent food for kidney health. It contains potassium which helps reduce high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone strength. As well as this, it is rich in antioxidants which help protect against heart disease.

Basil is great for digestion too. It contains digestive enzymes that break down protein and carbohydrates. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients from your meals.

Basil is a wonderful addition to any diet. Try sprinkling some over pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or add little stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fish, meat, and tofu.

It's delicious in pesto sauce and fresh in salad dressings. You'll find many recipes online where you can learn how to cook with basil.

Try making basil oil by adding a few drops of pure olive oil to a jar filled with chopped basil leaves. Let it steep overnight, and then strain out the leaves. Use the oil as a massage oil or rub it onto your skin.

It will leave your skin soft and smooth.

Statistics

For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and/or LDL cholesterol by about 10-15% (72Trusted Source73Trusted (healthline.com)
Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.

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How To

What to look for in herbs?

Herbs contain natural compounds that may help treat various conditions. In addition, herbal remedies may provide relief when used along with conventional treatments.

Herbal remedies include teas, capsules, tablets, ointments, creams, lotions, oils, and topical applications. Some of these products are meant to be taken internally, while others are applied externally.

The most common uses of herbal remedies include relieving minor aches and pains, treating cold symptoms, reducing fever, controlling coughs and sore throats, easing digestion problems, soothing skin irritations, alleviating menstrual cramps, and providing general health benefits.

When buying herbs, look for the following:

Freshly picked plants. Avoid dried herbs unless they've been stored in a cool place. If possible, buy herbs directly from farmers' markets.
Pure extracts. These are made by extracting the active ingredients from herbs using alcohol or water. Look for 100% pure extractions.
Certified organic herbs. Organic herbs must meet strict standards set forth by the USDA.
Natural flavors. Many herbs have strong scents that can overwhelm other foods. Adding flavorings such as vanilla, almond, or orange helps mask their smell.
Potency. The amount of active ingredient per unit weight varies depending on the type of herb.
Packaging. When purchasing herbs, check the packaging to ensure that it's clean and free of chemicals.