Alkanet Root

[dobaym]

Could anyone please write some experiences with Alkanet Root for lavender colored soap.
I would like to know what form of it to use, and how to use it, how much to use of it.
Also does it fade if exposed to sunlight?

Or anything on this topic.

Thank you for your answers !!!

 

[dobaym]

found alkanet thread

I've found a recent thread on this subject here:

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/vi ... bdbdf27b89

Sorry, I didn't search smf specifying only alkanet to search for, so I got tons of results, about all sorts of things. But now I tried only searching alkanet and got lots on the subject.

So Sorry for opening a new thread when the answers have already been given

 

[TessC]

My personal experience with it wasn't great. The one and only batch I made with it, I infused an ounce of olive oil with alkanet, left it for just over three weeks so it was very very dark, and used that as part of my OO in part of my batch to make a dark purple swirl. It looked decent enough when it was poured, looked pretty good when I unmolded and cut it, then went a really unlovely shade of purply brown over time.

I used powdered root infused in OO, don't have my noted in front of my but I'm pretty sure I used a half teaspoon of the powder in an ounce of oil, then strained the powder out at the end of the three weeks.

 

[dandelion]

I took about 6 oz of jojoba oil and put about 2 tbspns of alkanetroot in the oil set it on the window sill and the oil turned a lovely blood red. Added it to my cp soap YUCK, I got a pale blue after time and sun. Too unpredictable for me.

 

[lovethyscent]

Oh I love it! I use the bark and infuse it in olive oil. The herb itself smells like butt, but the end result for me was wonderful. I get a nice dark purple with mine, goes perfect with my patchouli lavender.

 

[dobaym]

Great!, Thanks for your replies!

I found some very nice results created with alkanet @:

Learn to soap http://learn2soap.com/?cat=23

Crafty Dyskolus http://crafty.dyskolus.com/coloring/purpleblue.html

Emporium naturals http://www.emporiumnaturals.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=113

I would think if I make precise measures and notes, then I should get near same results.
My goal would be to achieve the color seen on the learn to soap link!
But according to my calculations I would be needing around 250grams to color 12000kg of soap, which seems like allot (I guess it depends on the price if its worth it or not).

 

[madpiano]

Great!, Thanks for your replies!

I found some very nice results created with alkanet @:

Learn to soap http://learn2soap.com/?cat=23

Crafty Dyskolus http://crafty.dyskolus.com/coloring/purpleblue.html

Emporium naturals http://www.emporiumnaturals.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=113

I would think if I make precise measures and notes, then I should get near same results.
My goal would be to achieve the color seen on the learn to soap link!
But according to my calculations I would be needing around 250grams to color 12000kg of soap, which seems like allot (I guess it depends on the price if its worth it or not).

250g to colour 12 tonnes of soap? doesn't seem much to me!

I use Alkanet successfully as well. I infused some in Olive Oil last year. I don't keep it in the sun or anything. I used a 500g Kilner Jar and added 150g Alkanet then filled up with Olive Oil and promptly forgot about it. It has been sitting for over a year now and I add 1 teaspoon to about 600g oil weight of my batch. Last time I thought I want a deeper colour and added 3 teaspoons and got dark blue, which hasn't even thought about turning purple yet.

I think a strong infusion is the key. And then use as much as you dare. It's not something you can think about today and use tomorrow.

Once you have finished all the oil, refill the Jar and place on a shelf to forget about it again. I am considering starting a second batch, so I always have some available

 

[dobaym]

OOPS!

I meant to write 12000grams, which is 12 kg.

Sorry!

 

[maya]

i use it successfully. i infuse two pints oo with oh goddess my book is in my soaping room, but probably .5 cup root. it works really well for me a very medium purple.