Teach Soap

I've been kicking around an idea for a more functional soap, and wanted to see if it isn't totally crazy. I was thinking of making a decongestant soap, something to the effect of a toned-down vick's vapor rub with a fresh scent for my husband, who has chronic sinus problems. I did some research and came up with primarily rosemary and eucalyptus EO's.

I also noticed a lot of the oils that are decongestants also help with muscle pain (another chronic problem), so i thought of throwing in some sage dalmatian and black pepper EO for a dual-purpose soap. It sounds like it'll be awfully smelly! Do you think it would be too overpowering? Also, i have no idea how much of these oils to use, i'm thinking of doing a one-pound batch of either hot process or rebatching. I think it might give it a spicy, manly scent, but if the sage and pepper are too much i could just leave them out and make a separate one for muscle pain. What do you think? Is there anything you'd add to this blend?

Soap is a wash off product. Some of the EO's might help during a warm shower as you inhale them, but you would be better off making a lotion bar or lotion or a leave on product. If you decide to go this route make sure you are using the EO's in safe %.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I've thought of making a balm for muscle and joint pain, though i have no experience in making them and i'd have to do some research. I thought a decongestant would be good in the shower, though, because a good remedy for stuffy sinuses is a hot steamy shower, so i thought i'd combine them. I could just put the eucalyptus and rosemary in the soap for decongestion for now and do a little more research on balms for later. What would be a safe % to use the EO's for the soap? I'm kinda posting because i don't know them, lol. I was also thinking of adding a tiny smidge of menthol. Does that sound good?

For the two EO's that you mention, I would start at 0.5%
As far as menthol, if it's in a crystals form, very, very little is needed.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Okay, that's a great starting point. Thanks so much for your advice! I will be careful with the menthol.

You're welcome! I hope it works out for you.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.