Within the last four years or so I started hearing about Moringa and its numerous uses for health. There was a sudden surge in interest in the plant and it was becoming popular due to its nutritional and medicinal properties.
Now it seems that in Trinidad and Tobago, everyone, their Uncle and Tanty has a Moringa tree growing in their yard.
While I don’t have a Moringa tree at home (yet), I was able to source some from a family that dry and grind their own Moringa at home for use in teas, smoothies and even dumplings!
Moringa oleifera is rich in nutrients, amino acids and antioxidants. A number of studies have been done that show it also provides a wealth of benefits against diabetes, digestive issues, infertility, depression and even cancer.
In cosmeceuticals, it is included in products due to a wide range of skin benefits inclusive of revitalization and anti-aging, and it has been used for centuries in countries like Africa to make soap.
Although I absolutely love working with micas and pigments to create different effects and designs in soap, there will always be something very satisfying about a pure natural bar of handmade soap.
I also love that the ground Moringa leaves act as a gentle exfoliant that slough off dead skin cells to leave skin glowing and fresh.
Related Post: Neem and Turmeric Soap
There is nothing fancy to making this Moringa soap, so it is a good recipe for a beginner to try.
For this recipe, I used peppermint essential oil but you can add any essential or fragrance oil you like or just leave it unscented.
Ingredients
- Castor oil – 2oz
- Cocoa Butter – 2oz
- Coconut oil – 8oz
- Olive oil – 16oz
- Shea Butter – 2oz
- Distilled water – 11oz
- Sodium Hydroxide/ Lye – 4.2oz
- Peppermint essential oil – 0.9oz
- Moringa powder – 3 tablespoons
Directions to Make Moringa and Mint Soap
For a list of tools that you would need to make soap at home, see this post.
First, of all prepare your area.
Have all your tools and equipment laid out and within reach. You do not want to be looking for a spoon or a spatula or even your stick blender at the last minute when you are working with sodium hydroxide.
Ensure that your production area will be undisturbed by pets, children or curious family members while you are soaping.
Suit up for safety! Put on your long sleeves, gloves and safety goggles.
Weigh out your water and your lye.
In a well ventilated area, slowly add the lye to the water (not the other way around) and stir it with a stainless steel spoon to dissolve completely. The solution will become extremely hot and will give off pungent fumes – do not inhale the fumes!
When dissolved, set it aside in a safe area to allow it to cool.
Weigh your butters.
Weigh your oils and add them to your mixing bowl.
In the microwave or in a double boiler, melt your butters. Be sure to monitor it to avoid overheating past the melting point.
Once fully melted, add the butters to your mixing bowl with the oils.
Portion out your Moringa powder.
In a glass container, weigh your essential or fragrance oil, if used in your recipe, and set it aside.
Now you are ready to make your Moringa Mint soap.
Slowly pour the lye solution into the mixing bowl with your butters and oils. Insert your stick blender and blend it at a reasonable speed, to avoid splashing, until the mixture reaches trace.
At trace, add the essential or fragrance oil and the Moringa powder. Mix it in well with the stick blender. Only a few light pulses of the blender may be necessary to blend it all together.
Once it is well mixed, pour it into the prepared mold of your choice. I used this 10″ mold from Nurture Soap.
Cover the mold and set it aside in an area where it will not be disturbed for 24 hours.
After that time, check that your soap is firm enough to come out of the mold. If not, let it sit for another day or two.
Once it is ready, remove it from the mold and cut it into bars.
Place the bars in a well-ventilated area to allow them to cure for a period of four to six weeks after which your beautiful Moringa Mint soap will be ready to use.
Simple step by step instructions .. thank you .I will try this one
Lovely soap
Love all your soap recipes ..easy to follow instructions
Hi, thank you for such a brilliant post. I have been reading some blogs that gives me more knowledge about this topic on moringa and mint handmade soap. I must say this is one of the best among them. You have done a great research for I feel, thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I’m glad I could help 🙂
Hi ! Thank you so much for recipe, can it be used in hotpress method?
Hi, Guerda.
Yes, you can make this soap with the hot process method. If you are familiar with hot process soapmaking, bring the soap to trace and cook to vaseline stage. Next, allow the soap to cool to 150 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the peppermint oil and the moringa powder. Mix well to incorporate and put the soap into the mold. I hope this helped. Happy soaping!!! 🙂