Molly Time is a fictional character created by Phyllis Doyle Burns.
Molly Time has many home remedies that have been passed down for generations in her family. One of her special interests is to help women feel good about themselves and have a healthy, glowing complexion. Molly's herbal soaps are some of the biggest sellers in her little herb shop.
Herbal Soaps
Molly makes her own herbal soaps. It is quite easy. Her best
selling soaps are ones with lavender flowers and/or rose petals for a lovely and soothing fragrance, comfrey to soothe stressed and irritated skin, or mint to invigorate (especially good in a foot bath for tired feet).
Molly assembles all the supplies and items she needs:
- glycerin soap, or other unscented mild soaps - cut into small pieces
- soap molds (glass or sturdy plastic)
- double boiler
- measuring cups
- wooden spoon
- plastic ladle
- vegetable oil
- dried herbs, dried lavender flowers, or dried rose petals
Then she coats the soap molds with the vegetable oil.
Molly's recipe is for one bar of original soap -- recipe may be doubled.
For each bar of original soap, heat 1/3 cup water in the double boiler -- just bring it to simmer. Crumble about 4 tablespoons of herbs into the water, remove pan from heat, and let the herbs steep for fifteen minutes.
Place pan of herb water back on the heat and add the pieces of soap. Stir with wooden spoon gently till soap is melted and herbs are well blended in. Pour or ladle soap into greased molds. Let the soap set in the molds till hardened. The soap will be a little softer than the original bar. Remove soap from molds and refrigerate on wax paper for twenty-four hours.
Remove bars from refrigerator and wrap them in pretty tissue paper, or plain brown paper then tie with raffia strips. Place a label on each bar and arrange your soaps in a basket or store in linen closet.
Facial Steam Bath
A quick and refreshing morning treat for your face is a herb and flower steam bath.
Molly makes herb packets for a facial steam bath. The packets contain dried herbs and flowers. One favorite mixture of most of her customers is a Chamomile, Rose petals, and Yarrow blend. She just puts equal parts of the dried flowers into a pint jar to keep handy by the bathroom sink. Lavender flowers is another favorite.
Pour boiling water into basin and add a small handful of dried flowers. Let water cool just enough so steam will not burn your face. Bend over basin, place towel over head and basin to make a tent, and allow the steam to open and cleanse pores. After ten minutes (or as long as you can stand the heat), rinse face with cool water to close pores then pat face dry.
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Note from author:
Some people may be allergic to some herbs. Test for skin reactions by placing a small amount of the herbal soap on the inside of your arm and let it set for a minute or so. Rinse off. If there is any skin reaction, do not use soap.
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Editor Picks:
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Image Credits:
Roses in a Vase, by Renoir
