Ginger Decoction

Wow, this has been a very easy and fun process of making decoctions and adding in the fabulous extracts into our cold process soap. I have deciced to do a ginger decoction now, so I have gathered my supplies and I’m ready to start, first I will clean and cut up some ginger root and place into a sauce pan, add water (I need at least 6 oz for the recipe), so adjust the water amount to your needs. Then I brought the mixture to a boil and turn heat down to let simmer for 20-30 minutes. This will be the water portion that I will be using in making my next batch of soap. I am listing the soap recipe below and using 6 ounces of the ginger decoction that I am creating.

Caution – Please make sure that you allow time for your hot decoctions to cool before you add them to any lye.

Supplies Needed:

Recipe:

I’m still using the same soap recipe as I did when making the soap with infusions, powders, and decoctions. This will give you a base for any ideas and suggestions when trying the infusions, powders, or decoctions in your soap batches.

Begin by weighing the sodium hydroxide and adding it to the ginger water. Now, weigh all of the oils into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Add the cooled lye solution to the cooled oil mixture. Our target temperature is about 120°F because this is a small batch (1 lb). We do not want the soap to overheat and volcano out of the mold. When the tempeture is reached mix the oils and lye solution together with an immersion blender, continue mixing until trace is achieved then pour into a mold and allow to sit for 24 hours. Cut the soap. Allow the soap to cure. Longer curing time will result in a harder bar. If you want to add more or less of the decoction do a second batch so you can compare the difference and your personal choice. Try a half and half mixture; or a one fourth to three fourths mixture or the full amount of water could be your decoction, just like I have done in this recipe.

I have noticed that when adding this decoction that I am getting a slight creamy color to the soap. When adding decoctions to my soap I am most interested in adding beneficial elements of the ginger into the soap and not worrying too much about a significant color change. If I want to make a color change then adding the botanical powders would be the best option.

Ginger Decoction, Lye Soap with Orange and Ginger Decoction

Mixing Lye with Ginger Water

Blending Soap, Ginger decoction with oils

Blending until trace