Floral Oatmeal Wash

 This simple botanical wash can be used daily in place of soap. This batch

is large enough to share with friends and family. Have fun picking out

decorative jars and adorning them with painted flowers or a cute label.

Tie a ribbon around the jars or paint the lids a pretty color. Clear glass

allows you to see how lovely the finished product is.

YIELDS: 24 ounces

1 cup whole oats

1 bar moisturizing soap

⁄ cup dried chamomile flowers

⁄ cup dried rose petals

⁄ cup dried lavender flowers

⁄ cup powdered milk (soy, coconut, or dairy), optional

What you will need: cutting board, knife, grater, mixing bowl,

measuring cups, spoon, jar, small muslin drawstring bag, three 8-ounce

jars with lids

1. To Make: Coarsely chop the oats and put into the mixing bowl. Coarsely

grate the soap and add to the bowl along with the chamomile, rose petals,

and lavender. Add the powdered milk if you desire a more moisturizing

body wash. It’s okay if the soap is a little gooey; just take care to break up

any chunks, blending them in evenly with the other ingredients. Feel free to

mix this with your hands, or use a wooden spoon.

2. To Store: Put the Floral Oatmeal Wash in your jars and close the lids

tightly. Label with contents and expiration date of 2 years. Store in a cool

dry place away from direct sunlight. The filled herbal bag may be good for

more than one bath if you store it in the freezer and thaw it out before your

next bath or shower. To thaw, toss in the tub or soak for a few minutes in

hot water.

3. To Use: Loosely fill the cloth bag with the Floral Oatmeal Wash. Tie a bow

tight enough that it won’t come apart in use. Remember, you will need to

untie it later to clean out and use again. Use in place of a soap or body wash

in your shower or bath. The herbal bag functions like a washcloth, but think

of it as a teabag. Bring the herb-filled cloth bag into the shower or bath. Wet

the bag well and slowly rub over your body with a gentle scrubbing motion.

If in the bath, let the bag steep in the water as you bathe. Continue re-

wetting the bag, squeezing the fragrant herbal elixir out over your body.

HELPFUL HINTS

Most health food stores will have a muslin bag available in the tea,

herbal, or body care section. You can also use a clean sock or nylon,

or tie the herbal mix in a piece of cheesecloth or other soft natural fabric.