Teach Soap

One of my husband's co-workers/friends has a fungal rash on his arms and face so Ralph (my husband) asked me to make him a special soap that might help. So I did research; most of it pointed at one place... neem oil. I purchased a litre of the oil and sat down tonight to make a small loaf of soap with babassua and neem to compliment my normal oils. I measured and melted and stirred and OMG what in the world is that stench? Did the dog fart? Did the septic tank leak? No dear, thats how NEEM smells. Like rotting miso. Hrm. How the heck am I going to cover up that smell? So I grabbed some tea tree oil EO and some fir needle EO (both of which I know are good for the skin and have antiseptic traits). Now I have tea tree and fir needle scented rotting miso soap. At least the red clay I added makes it look nice? It should be a nice cleansing and rejuvenating soap with anti fungal and antiseptic traits, and a super nice lather... it will just stick to high heaven. Hopefully it will help him!

Anyone have any ideas for essentials oils that will be both good for his skin and help cover or compliment the neem oil? Tea tree and fir needle just seemed to make it worse!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Ahhhh, neem. My favorite tree ever. Way back when (waaaay back) I lived in Africa and taught small scale farmers to grow it for sale. So useful for so many many many things--except perfume. Good grief it stinks like rotting garlic.

I've never soaped with it but I cam imagine that even a tiny amount would be pretty dreadful. (Out of curiosity, what % did you use)? You can't get deodorized neem (which I think would render it ineffective) so I would use the absolute minimum to be effective and then try to mask it as best you can. Since neem is originally from India, I would consider using EOs that I associate with India namely sandalwood or ylang ylang. Personally I hate patchouli but a blend with that might be OK too especially if you add something citrusy.

And if all else fails, hopefully the smell will lighten up as it cures...Let me know how it goes.
Peggy

I used it at 10%. I too am hoping in mellows out as it cures!! I will let everyone know how it goes!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Yes, that one is a stinker. For those that know, they don't mind the smell.

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

Well, the soap is going to its new home tomorrow (I believe). You can still smell the neem, but either it has mellowed or my nose just doesn't find it as offensive anymore. We warned him that it stinks, but he is willing to try anything. Hopefully it will help him and the smell won't bother him too much!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I have never used neem and have a small bottle of it waiting on me to use it....now I am nervous about the smell! So I am thinking I will NOT attempt the pine tar and neem in the same day.

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Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

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Debbie

Oh yeah, that would make for quite the smell!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist