Lemongrass as an additive...

[Pug Mom]

I want to make lemongrass soap, and I bought some lemongrass... Do I do anything to it before I add it to the soap? it is about an inch long, should I chop it up or anything? :?:

 

[SimplyE]

Interesting...When cooking with lemongrass, it tends to be kind of woody. I would try grating it, chop finely, or infuse. Can't wait to hear about it!

 

[carebear]

I think you will end up with pretty sharp bits.

 

[honor435]

I want to make lemongrass soap, and I bought some lemongrass... Do I do anything to it before I add it to the soap? it is about an inch long, should I chop it up or anything? :?:

i used lemongrass eo, and it was very nice soap. I dont know about the real plant.

 

[Pug Mom]

I have the EO, was was going to add the lemongrass as well. I have seen it done, just not sure how people do it...

 

[dagmar88]

maybe dry & grind?

 

[IanT]

I want to make lemongrass soap, and I bought some lemongrass... Do I do anything to it before I add it to the soap? it is about an inch long, should I chop it up or anything? :?:

i would dry it, chop it up as small as possible (or use your food processor) and then just add some at trace, i usually throw in a half a handful of herbs for a 1lb batch (but thats just me...)... ive seen them used at a ratio of about 1oz or less per pound of oils. I use mint and eucalyptus herbs in some of my soaps and they are a nice addition though they will discolor slightly (brown and such) but thats ok with me

 

[Woodi]

I agree with whomever said that it will probably leave the soap with sharp bits in it......unless you can powder and strain the herb. I'd be interested to hear what you end up with.

I use only lemongrass eo (with a bit of litsea cubeba for staying power, although the lemongrass is pretty strong by itself.

Some people add bits of lemon peel with their lemony scents, for flecks and color.

 

[IanT]

I agree with whomever said that it will probably leave the soap with sharp bits in it......unless you can powder and strain the herb. I'd be interested to hear what you end up with.

I use only lemongrass eo (with a bit of litsea cubeba for staying power, although the lemongrass is pretty strong by itself.

Some people add bits of lemon peel with their lemony scents, for flecks and color.

I LOOOOVE the bits of lemon zest... they provide a nice scrubby as well as a little color

 

[Pug Mom]

It is already dried...what about soaking it to soften it up, do you think that might work?

 

[dagmar88]

hi pug mum
i'd think it would harden as soon as it dries up in your soap...

 

[IanT]

yup !


I feel like if you ground it up enough though it wouldnt be too bad... but im not expert and i like the pomace stone feel so dont take it from me... i just save certain soaps for certain uses... like one with lots of scrubbies id use on my feet which are pretty much always black from walking around barefoot... they stain my tub! :shock:

 

[I love soap!]

Yeah

Dry and ground sounds best.

Shoes are definitely a nuisance

 

[AshleyR]

I agree with the people above! I'd probably grind it down into a fine powder.

 

[rszuba]

the magic bullet works great to make into a powder- at least with my calendula and rose buds it does.

 

[Lindy]

I like to grind all my herbs into a fine powder to eliminate the sharp/scratchy feel they can cause....I use a mortar & pestle (sp)

 

[Woodi]

So how did it turn out in your soap? did you grind and add it? I'm curious....

 

[honor435]

i just made lemongrass soap, but i used eo, since i sell them(young living), too exp. to use most of them, but this one smells SO good and isnt too costly, i added strawberry seeds, its looking good.

 

[LJA]

I've done it dried and chopped pretty finely. It wasn't too scratchy. Less is more though. Use a light hand.

 

[afiveo]

I've infused olive oil with lemon grass in the crock pot...I love doing infusions because the scent seems to stay so much longer.
but I'm not really an 'additive' kind of soaper.
Powder sounds like the best idea though, lemongrass is just very tough and woody, even chopped small.