Decoctions are the resulting liquid from the extracting process called boiling or simmering. This process is used to extract fluids, essences, and active ingredients from hard plant materials. The plant materials can be items such as bark, branches, hard and woody roots, such as carrots, ginseng, or fungi. The extracting process is completed by placing the item in boiling water until the desired extraction is complete.

Here are some basic supplies that are needed when making decoctions.

Supplies for Decoctions
• Water
• Scale
• Plant material desired
• Stirring spoon or similar tool
• Stock pot
• Strainer
• Method of heating the water: stove, tea kettle, etc.
• Freezer storage container, if needed

Gather your stuff to make some decoctions with me! If you can think of any items to create decoctions from (maybe berries or ginger) then share your ideas and let’s hear them!

I’ll be back tomorrow to show you how to make a Wood Ear mushroom decoction.

When this blog was started in January of 2009, I remember sitting in front of my computer wondering what I could say that people would want to read. I’ll admit now, that I was scared to write down what I did or thought because I didn’t know how it would be received. I’m glad to now know we have many people who read this blog and will write in to tell us they agree or disagree with what we have written.

I remember dancing around the office every time I got an email, comment or mention on the web. I still grin when I read the comments because you inspire me to learn more!

I was a beginner to soaps and lotions in many ways that this blog has helped me grow to be a better soap and lotion maker. I still have many ways I want to grow and things I want to learn about soaps and lotions. My list of things I want to learn is very long, but I hope to continue chipping away at my list.

Thank you for reading this blog for the last 4 years and I hope to continue inspiring you as we continue writing more blogs!

I started by choosing oils that I like in foot creams. I chose Lanolin because it is very good at creating a barrier to keep moisture from leaving the skin and it really helps my feet feel like a million bucks!

I selected Shea and Macadamia Butters because I think they feel luxurious on the skin and contribute a creamy feel that is wonderful to massage onto the skin.

Weighing the oils.

I didn’t want to make the foot cream too heavy, so I added some Peach Kernel Oil to lighten up the texture a little, as well as add a slight velvety finish to the foot cream. Collect needed items: Ingredients Water Peach Kernel Oil Shea Butter Emulsifying Wax Lanolin Macadamia Butter Hydrovance Liquid Germall Plus Equipment Scale Microwave Safe Container Spoons Pipettes Containers for finished cream Recipe: (Makes 3.53 ounces or 100 grams) Recipe in ounces: 2.42 ounces Water 0.32 ounces Peach Kernel Oil 0.25 ounces Shea Butter 0.18 ounces Emulsifying wax 0.14 ounces Lanolin 0.11 ounces Macadamia Butter 0.11 ounces Hydrovance 0.02 ounces Liquid Germall Plus Recipe in grams: 68.5 grams Water 9 grams Peach Kernel Oil 7 grams Shea Butter 5 grams Emulsifying wax 4 grams Lanolin 3 grams Macadamia Butter 3 grams Hydrovance 0.5 gram Liquid Germall Plus Recipe in Percentages 68.5% Water 9% Peach Kernel Oil 7% Shea Butter 5% Emulsifying wax 4% Lanolin 3% Macadamia Butter 3% Hydrovance 0.5% Liquid Germall Plus Weigh all ingredients except the Liquid Germall Plus into a microwave safe container. Heat in the microwave using short time bursts until everything is melted. Blend the ingredients to a smooth, creamy consistency using the immersion blender. Add the Liquid Germall Plus once the temperature drops to approximately 120° F in the mixing bucket. Stir gently until completely mixed. Pour into containers and allow to cool completely before labeling. Foot Cream Notes: This is a mid-weight foot cream that is a massaging style foot cream and leaves the skin feeling velvety. This cream makes my feet feel really good when the cream applied thickly and my feet are massaged. I think I use about 5 grams (0.2 ounces) per foot, so I think this is a perfect cream to sit on the nightstand in an 8 ounce jar! Can I say that I love this because my feet feel super soft?

Adding the water to the oils. After microwaving and melting all the ingrients. Completely mixed foot cream. Completely cooled foot cream.

]]> http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/17/safflower-powder-in-cold-process-soap/feed/ 1 http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/16/paprika-powder-in-cold-process-soap/ http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/16/paprika-powder-in-cold-process-soap/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:37 +0000 Tonya http://blog.thesage.com/?p=22897

This Paprika Powder is great, the color is absolutely amazing. So, I am continuing on with my different powders to add to soap and now I have the paprika powder, thinking potato salad….. no I’m thinking what a beautiful color this would make in my soap. Today I will show you how to include this into your cold process soap and leave the potato salad for another venue like cooking class.Here we go using the Paprika Powder, this is a mild and sweet variety of Capsicum annum. The color is oil soluble and makes a wonderful soap. If you plan to make swirl bars with paprika, then plan on each swirl bleeding the color into the uncolored parts. The oil soluble nature of this natural plant leads to the color being mobile in soap.You can infuse this plant powder into any oil and extract the oil soluble color compounds. Then use the infusion as a natural color. Soaps can be from light, peach color to intensely orange. The odor is mild and very earthy but not smokey. I have gathered some supplies and I’m ready show you how easy adding botanical can be.Supplies Needed: Ingredients Palm Kernel Oil Coconut Oil Olive Oil Lye Water Paprika Equipment Scale Microwave Safe Container Spoons Pipettes Immersion Blender Soap Bucket Gloves Soaping Goggles Soap mold of choice Recipe: Recipe in Grams 170.1 Palm Kernel Oil 141.75 grams Coconut Oil 141.75 grams Olive Oil 62.37 grams Lye 177 mL Water 1 tsp Powder Recipe in Ounces 6 oz Palm Kernel Oil 5 oz Coconut Oil 5 oz Olive Oil 2.20 oz Lye 6 fl oz Water 5 grams Powder Recipe in Percentages 38% Palm Kernel Oil 31% Coconut Oil 31% Olive Oil Q.S. Lye Q.S. Water Q.S. Powder I’m going to use the same soap recipe again, as I did when making the soap with infusions. This will give you some ideas and suggestions when you try the infusions or powders in your soap batches. Begin by weighing all of the oils into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Add the Sodium Hydroxide to the water to form a lye solution. Allow the oils and the lye to cool separately until they reach a lower temperature. We do not want to have the soap overheat and volcano. When cooled, mix the oils and lye solution together and blend with immersion blender until trace is achieved. Once your mixture has made it to trace add in your powder approximately 1 teaspoon, mix thoroughly then pour into a mold and allow to sit for 24 hours. Cut the soap. Allow the soap to cure. Longer curing time will result in a harder bar. I have noticed that when adding the powder that I am getting a bright orange color to the soap. I only used 1 tsp and got this fabulous color. I have added a few photos to show you the process, I hope you are making some great soaps with me and enjoying the fun. Check out the photos that has all the soaps lined up, Paprika Powder is the fourth batch from the left, beautiful orange color. I’m very happy with this color, I like it. I will keep watching and see if the color changes while it cures.

]]> http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/16/paprika-powder-in-cold-process-soap/feed/ 9 http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/15/orange-peel-powder-in-cold-process-soap/ http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/15/orange-peel-powder-in-cold-process-soap/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:06 +0000 Tonya http://blog.thesage.com/?p=22889

Oranges, yummmm! Can you smell it now? I love citrus scents especially anything with orange in it is fabulous. So, I am continuing on with my different powders to add to soap and I’m sitting here with the jar of Orange Peel Powder, just enjoying the scent and trying to decide what other products can I make with this stuff. Well, today I will show you how to include this into your cold process soap and I’ll keep thinking and share with you later what else I have up my sleeve.Here we go using the Orange Peel Powder, this powder has a tan and orange color with subtle color and mostly fiber to add to your soaps. Orange peel powder has a lovely aroma of oranges. The addition of orange peel powder can make a slightly exfoliating soap to a heavily exfoliating soap. Please add small amounts during test batches to determine your level of desired exfoliating ability. I have gathered some supplies and I’m ready show you how easy adding botanical can be.Supplies Needed: Ingredients Palm Kernel Oil Coconut Oil Olive Oil Lye Water Orange Peel Powder Equipment Scale Microwave Safe Container Spoons Pipettes Immersion Blender Soap Bucket Gloves Soaping Goggles Soap mold of choice Recipe: Recipe in Grams 170.1 Palm Kernel Oil 141.75 grams Coconut Oil 141.75 grams Olive Oil 62.37 grams Lye 177 mL Water 1 tsp Powder Recipe in Ounces 6 oz Palm Kernel Oil 5 oz Coconut Oil 5 oz Olive Oil 2.20 oz Lye 6 fl oz Water 5 grams Powder Recipe in Percentages 38% Palm Kernel Oil 31% Coconut Oil 31% Olive Oil Q.S. Lye Q.S. Water Q.S. Powder I’m going to use the same soap recipe as I did when making the soap with infusions. This will give you some ideas and suggestions when you try the infusions or powders in your soap batches. Begin by weighing all of the oils into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Add the Sodium Hydroxide to the water to form a lye solution. Allow the oils and the lye to cool separately until they reach a lower temperature. We do not want to have the soap overheat and volcano. When cooled, mix the oils and lye solution together and blend with immersion blender until trace is achieved. Once your mixture has made it to trace add in your powder approximately 1 teaspoon, mix thoroughly then pour into a mold and allow to sit for 24 hours. Cut the soap. Allow the soap to cure. Longer curing time will result in a harder bar. If you want to add more powder do a second batch so you can compare the difference and your personal choice. I have noticed that when adding the powder that I am getting a bright golden almost brilliant yellow color to the soap. I only used 1 tsp and got this fabulous color. I hope you are making some great soaps with me and enjoying the fun. Check out the photos that has all the soaps lined up, Orange Peel Powder is the second to the last, beautiful yellow color. I will keep watching and see if the color changes while it cures.

]]> http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/15/orange-peel-powder-in-cold-process-soap/feed/ 10 http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/14/upcoming-facebook-feature-tutu-tuesdays/ http://blog.thesage.com/2013/05/14/upcoming-facebook-feature-tutu-tuesdays/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 12:30:03 +0000 Andee http://blog.thesage.com/?p=23006
I’m excited to announce a new feature that we will be releasing on Facebook! It is going to be our Tutu Tuesdays! Now, most of you may be looking at your computer screen and asking, “Andee, what are you talking about? Why are you talking about dance?” If you attended the Central Soapers Workshop earlier this year, you have a good idea of why I’m mentioning tutus.

Tina with her tutu, wand and tiara!

Now, back to Tutu Tuesdays! Every Tuesday on our Facebook Page, I am going to host Tutu Tuesdays. This will be a post where you can share pictures of projects you have made, products you have recently added to your shop, or even places/events that you attended with your products! I would love to see the magical products that you have made! (Hopefully while using your apron with a tutu!)

We will start Tutu Tuesdays next week! Are you excited and ready? I’m excited!!!

Notes: I cut this soap and then photoed it immediately afterward. You can see what the soap will look like cure and not quite cured. I have noticed the color changes during the curing process. Some soaps have it more extreme than others. Although it is hard to see in the photo, it is a soft green to brown color. Very light and natural looking.

In the finished soap, there was the light smell of salt but I could not really smell the greenness or the olive oil odors any more. The salty odor that was there was not enough to hugely influence fragrance you might choose though. I am considering fresh odors like Mona Lisa and Cotton. What scents would you use with this botanical?

Recipe:

Weigh all of the oils into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Add the Sodium Hydroxide to the water to form a lye solution. Allow the oils and the lye to cool to a lower temperature. We do not want to have the soap overheat and volcano. Mix the oils and lye solution and blend until trace is achieved. Pour into a mold and allow to sit for 24 hours. Cut the soap. Allow the soap to cure. Longer curing time will result in a harder bar. Enjoy!

Finished Soap

Olive Leaf Powder

Melted Oils

Adding Olive Leaf Powder

Mixing Soap

Mixing Soap

Soap in Mold

Cherry Blossoms at the Beijing Botanical Gardens in mid-April.

It is Friday again! I am looking forward to this weekend because I am going to visit one of the parks here in Beijing to look at the blooming peonies. Just a few weeks ago, I had a chance to visit the Beijing Botanical Gardens and take pictures of the beautiful cherry blossoms found there. I loved seeing all the beautiful cherry blossoms, so I’m even more excited to go see the peonies!

I hope you get to have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! I’ll miss being able to give my mother a hug for Mother’s Day, but I’m going to do something special for Jerry’s mom!

I will be giving away goodies to two people today. These lucky winners will get to choose a travel mug, a ceramic mug or a goodie box from the MMS blog kitchen! How fun is that?

Now, on to the winners! These lucky winners are Dani and Neal! Congratulations! I will be emailing both of you for your addresses and which of the prizes you would prefer. Take care everyone!

Notes: I am in love with the finished color of this soap. It is kind of a soft green color. It almost reminds me of french green clay. It is very natural and elegant looking. I think it would make a beautiful salt soap. There was no coloration of the water, suds or a washcloth. No staining to worry about! Yippee!

This bar of soap did have an odor. When I added the Kelp Powder at trace, it smelled potently of fish. When it was first cut, it almost smelled like dirty feet. After curing, the odor smelled more like seaweed and salt. Not strong or overwhelming. However, I would definitely choose strong scents or those that have an ozone note to them.

I am excited to play around more with this botanical. I am thinking of using fragrance oils like The Meadow, Jacob, Ocean Rain and Woodland Ice. What fragrances would you use for this botanical?

Recipe:

Weigh all of the oils into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Add the Sodium Hydroxide to the water to form a lye solution. Allow the oils and the lye to cool to a lower temperature. We do not want to have the soap overheat and volcano. Mix the oils and lye solution and blend until trace is achieved. Pour into a mold and allow to sit for 24 hours. Cut the soap. Allow the soap to cure. Longer curing time will result in a harder bar. Enjoy!

Finished Kelp Soap

Melted Oils

Mixing Soap

Adding Kelp Powder

Soap in Mold