add herbs via infused oils or directly as powder

[wapitiscat]

I want to use something like comfrey or parsley to get a green color in my soap. Should I make an infused oil (olive oil?) or add the herb directly to my oils during the processing?

Todd

 

[Hazel]

I just added parsley powder in at trace. You have to mix it well or it will leave splotches of darker green in your batch. I actually liked the darker blotches.

 

[LadyM]

I'm not sure about how to use comfrey to achieve green.
I can tell you that I put comfrey powder in a pitcher of tracing soap and whisk it up and then swirl it in the batch to get a great natural dark brown!

 

[wapitiscat]

I just added parsley powder in at trace. You have to mix it well or it will leave splotches of darker green in your batch. I actually liked the darker blotches.

How much did you add. I trying to get a pale (sage) green color. I'm not set on using botanicals and would use other colorants if necessary. I was just looking to use something I had on hand.

Todd

 

[wapitiscat]

I'm not sure about how to use comfrey to achieve green.
I can tell you that I put comfrey powder in a pitcher of tracing soap and whisk it up and then swirl it in the batch to get a great natural dark brown!

I've read some conflicting things about comfrey. I don't know if the difference between brown and green is whether you use roots or leaves. Or, whether you add either to the lye solution.

Todd

 

[Hazel]

I just added parsley powder in at trace. You have to mix it well or it will leave splotches of darker green in your batch. I actually liked the darker blotches.

How much did you add. I trying to get a pale (sage) green color. I'm not set on using botanicals and would use other colorants if necessary. I was just looking to use something I had on hand.

Todd

I don't quite remember because it was back in the spring and I didn't write it down. I know people say to keep notes but I'm getting better.

I know it wasn't much because I only do small batches so it was probably 20 oz. I took some of the soap out, mixed the parsley in and then put it back in to do an ITP swirl. So I probably only used about 1/4 tsp in the soap I removed.

Because of my inexperience, I ended up having to squish the soap together (long story) and the entire batch ended up mainly a pale green. I guess if you used 1/4 tsp for approximately every 20 ounces, you should achieve a pale green. Also, I was told to add the powder at trace. You don't want to put the parsley in the lye water because it will turn brown.

HTH

 

[DMCC]

I've had good results every time with using ground dried parsley as my colorant. I grind to a fine powder and add it at trace. Parsley was the first colorant I ever used because I had it in the spice cabinet and it was natural. I still use natural colorants, but have added micas, oxides and ultramarines as well.