Avoiding Simmering Herbal Ingredients (Was: Eve Chats ...comic relief and a question)

[Guest guest]

Hi Aimee,

 

To make a decoction or water infusion with herbs you're pretty much

going to have to use hot water. Other extraction methods that I can

think of that are " cooler " are infusing in oil or alcohol ...

 

Essential oils should not be boiled or simmered in skin care recipes

because they will dissipate very quickly (they are volatile oils).

 

To make soap - even so called " cold process " does involve some heat

because the chemical reaction of the lye produces heat, but I do know of

some soapers who make milk soaps that manage to keep their temps way

down through adding the lye to semi-frozen milk and all that .. so I

think it can be done Also, you can add herbal extracts, hydrosols and

essential oils to liquid soap when it is not simmering hot

 

Just some ideas. Hope that helped some!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

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margarita margarita [margaritaaaaaa]

 

Hi, all,

 

I have really enjoyed all of your contributions. I

have learned a lot!

 

One question: I am studying up on Ayurveda and caring

of the skin. I love the use of essential

oils...however, some of the skin care recipes

requiring temperatures of boiling and simmering the

ingredients (as in decoctions and infusions)....I am

more interested in using herbs that have not been

heated at high temps...anyone else have any thoughts

on this? I am on a raw food diet and am experiencing

the benefits...I am thinking that herbs are better not

cooked?

 

Also, am wondering: is there such a things as bars of

soap recipes that do not require boiling/simmering?

 

Thanks!

 

 

AiMeE

 

<joke snipped>