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There are many ancient recipes for using herbs to scent soaps. Infusions can be made with various scented leaves or flowers, or a few drops of essential oils can be added to soaps while in their liquid stage. If using essential oils, remember they are very strong and just a few drops will suffice.
Liquid Lavender Soap
1/2 cup castile soap, grated
2 1/2 cups water
5 tbsp glycerin
4 drops of lavender oil
Natural food coloring (optional)
Put the soap and water in a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of boiling water. When the soap has belted, stir in the glycerin. Remove from the heat and stir in the lavender oil. If desired, stir in a few drops of natural food coloring to color the soap. When cool, pour into clean bottles and seal with corks.
Marigold Soap
2 tbsp fresh marigold petals, finely chopped
2 tbsp glycerin, warmed
3/4 cup castile soap, grated
1 tbsp clear honey
Natural food coloring (optional)
Place the chopped marigold petals in the warmed glycerin and leave to infuse in a warm place for 2 hours. Melt the soap in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of boiling water. Remove from the heat and add the glycerin infusion, honey and food coloring, if desired. Pour the soap into glycerine-greased molds and leave to set.