Trying something

[jarvan]

I wanted to make a lavender infusion and hopefully this will work. I took some of my distilled water (quart jar) and added three tea bags filled with lavender powder. Why I ever bought lavender powder, I'll never know. I don't think I was envisioning a ground green powder of such intense scent. I have a ton of it and hope this works.

I placed it on my patio with a lid on it, and am letting the sun do the work. I think after a week, I should have a good strong infusion and then hopefully won't need any EO in batch.

 

[Rosey]

oh interesting, let us know how it works out!

 

[Sunkawakan]

I do this with sage that I pick in South Dakota and it works out really well. I leave mine sit for about 2 weeks and shake it every other day or so then strain it through a double layer of cheese cloth. I also do it with my oo and it works out great.

Good luck.

 

[jarvan]

Oh, then I am leaving mine longer. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Bnky]

Jarvan, where do you find ground lavender? I can't wait to hear if it works...sounds great!

 

[Dixie]

It will work, leave it for two weeks then take a wiff, if you want it stronger put it back in the sun

 

[Saltysteele]

just be sure not to let water get in it, or you'll have a nasty problem on your hands.

interested in hearing how this works. have a couple friends that have lavender bushes, sage bushes, and various other cool stuff.

hmmm... don't think we have a food dehydrator, though...

 

[jarvan]

I think I got the stuff from MMS. It's a ground green powder. I get most of my herbs from them. It smells delightful in its package, but is a yucky color.

 

[Guest]

SS- I dehydrated grated carrots in my oven at 170F for an hour while my soap was in there, and then I just left it in with the oven off overnight...it dried right up and then I ground it up in a spice grinder. I think you could do the same with herbs or flowers.

 

[gekko62]

SS- I dehydrated grated carrots in my oven at 170F for an hour while my soap was in there, and then I just left it in with the oven off overnight...it dried right up and then I ground it up in a spice grinder. I think you could do the same with herbs or flowers.

Yep,very slow oven(helps to leave door open a crack),or place a paper bag around the top bits & hang to air dry.

 

[Bnky]

JuicyBath: Have you used the ground carrots in soap yet. I am curious how the color turns out...if it is orange, peach or if it changes to brown with they lye. I am trying to find any natural colorants I can. If anyone knows of anymore, I'd love to hear about them.

 

[Guest]

I used the carrot powder in my Beer Soap, version 2.0. You can see the results on the photo gallery. I posted a pic there. They still look the same a few days later. I love the resulting colour, but the beer probably contributed a bit there too.
It shows some tiny specs of orange here and there where the flakes were larger, but overall I was really happy with it and will make this one again.

 

[Deb]

I've put the ground powder in soaps too. - 5 weeks on its still delightfully green and the recipient loves it!

 

[Sunkawakan]

hmmm... don't think we have a food dehydrator, though...

Wallmart, http://www.walmart.com/Snackmaster-Express-Food-Dehydrator/ip/1120727

I have 2 and would be lost without mine. I use them for everything from the normal like drying herbs, to drying the last bit to spaghetti sauce for later (I would rather do other things like cook - like... make soap - rehydrate in water for 10 min while pasta is cooking and wall la - dinner), to more unconventional things like speeding up items I've glued together and have even shortened the drying time of soap (on low).

I do recommend getting one with a thermostate or variable heat setting. Oh, and please don't pay full price (I don't pay full price for anything!) - you should be able to get one on sale before much longer now that fall is coming.