Extreme Product Testing

My kids occasionally call the kitchen Mom’s Evil Laboratory because I like to make our own soaps, lotions, and herbal tinctures. I’ll concede, some of my concoctions don’t smell wonderful. Okay, some don’t turn out too well either.

These days we’re using the last remnants of salve that’s become a little too solid. And I’m the only one intrepid enough to use the latest batch of homemade chamomile shampoo. I don’t know what the big deal is, all that’s required is applying said shampoo milliseconds after shaking before it separates back into non-frothy greenness and soapy white sludge. Nonetheless, most attempts turn out fine.

I do use my family as product testers but at least they can trust the ingredients. That wasn’t the case with product testing back in the grandparent generation. This vintage commercial promotes a certain high-powered cold cream. How extreme were the product tests? Radioactive.

If you’re at all intrigued by the prospect of turning your family into product testers for homemade personal care items, here are some resources I use.

The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual

Herbal Healing for Women

The Herbal Home Remedy Book: Simple Recipes for Tinctures, Teas, Salves, Tonics, and Syrups

Making Herbal Hand Creams and Salves

Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair: Natural and Healthy Bodycare for Every Body

Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Traditional Handmade Soap Quickly, Safely, and Reliably

Geiger counters won’t go off for any of the recipes in these books.  But be forewarned, something may “click” for you once you start making cheap, homemade, and healthy products.