As an industry publication, The Saponifier provides a balance of special articles and regular departments written to inform both hobby and professional soapmakers and those responsible for formulation, raw material procurement, producing, packaging and marketing of such products.

The Saponifier --- http://www.saponifier.com

~ All Things Natural Herbal Soap Company ~
Ozark, Alabama, atnsoap@aol.com

~ A Basketful/Rose Cottage Soaps & Scents ~
York, South Carolina, www.abasketfulonline.com

~ Outer Body Experience ~
Denver, Colorado, http://home.att.net/~outerbody

~ The Soap Sanctuary ~
Bradenton, Florida, www.soapsanctuary.com

~ Country Cottage ~
Whitesburg, Georgia, http://www.crosswinds.net/~countrycottage/index.html

~ Monongahela Valley Soapery ~
Charleroi, Pennsylvania, wayneplatt@hotmail.com

LAST WEEK'S ANSWER: Harriet Hubbard Ayer

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: I am a celebrated source of energy, a dancer of many forms. I have been called "the sensitive chaos." Both life giver and life taker, I am the transparent home of many. Though I have my own language (which you may not understand), I am also generous, being called by the philosopher Hegel, "the mother of all that is special." What am I?

Be the first to answer this week's question and win a beautiful selection of 4 handmade soaps from Of The Earth Soapworks in Austin, Texas. I am reviewing these soaps this month and they are wonderful!!

The first thought that came to my mind after I sniffed Wild Bluebonnet Soap was, "aaahhhh." I inhaled deeply and felt transported away from the cares of my day. According to Maggie, resident soapmaker at Of The Earth Soapworks, Wild Bluebonnet is a tribute to Texas ~ known for its lovely wild flowers. It contains real ground Texas bluebonnets and the pretty blue color (from ultramarine pigment) corresponds perfectly with the soothing feeling evoked by the essential oil blend of lavender and rose geranium.

This soap is not only pretty, but it smells rich and full.  It's a nice floral blend, but thankfully, not too sweet.  Of The Earth Soapworks goodies can be purchased at www.oftheearthsoapworks.com.

1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha

The 5 elements of the universe are:

1. Space exists in the nose, mouth, abdomen, respiratory tract, and thorax.  Psychologically, space provides expansion of consciousness, compassion, love, freedom, and peace as well as feelings of separation, isolation, emptiness, ungrounded ness, insecurity, anxiety, and fear. 
2. Air has qualities of dryness. Air physically expresses itself as movement of the muscles of the lungs, heart and brain. The psychological aspects of air include thought, joy, happiness and excitement as well as insecurity fear, and nervousness, anxiety.
3. Fire represents luminosity, penetrating, and sharp qualities. Fire is considered radiant energy. Physically, in our body, the fire exists in the solar plexus and helps to regulate body temperature and metabolism. In Ayurveda, fire is associated with light and vision. Fire expresses itself in the personality via intelligence, appreciation, recognition, understanding, attention, and hate, envy, criticism, ambition and competitiveness.
4. Water exhibits itself as fluid, heavy, soft, viscous, cold, and cohesive. In our bodies, water is a vital element.  It exists in our nasal passages, in sweat, urine, saliva, serum, lymphatic system, in joints, under kneecaps, plasma while psychologically, water is expressed as love, contentment, and compassion.
5. Earth adds strength, structure and stamina to the body.  Our body's solid structures including bones, nails, teeth and hair are derived from the earth element.  Earth is associated with forgiveness, support and growth as well as attachment, greed and depression.

This chart demonstrates how the combination of elements corresponds to each dosha, and how each dosha lends itself to a particular skin type.

Space & Air--->Vata Dosha--->Dry Skin

Fire & Water--->Pitta Dosha--->Acneic/Sensitive Skin

Water & Earth--->Kapha Dosha--->Oily/Clogged Skin
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Coming September 17, Natural Plant Ingredients In Ayurvedic Skincare Products!!
For more information, contact Carina Chatlani at BODY BISTRO | Ayurvedic Apothecary | www.bodybistro.com | 877-7-Bistro

Ingredients

1/2 large cucumber, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon rose hydrosol (you can substitute other hydrosols such as melissa or cornflower but rose is my fave)
1 tablespoon Every Skintea (see HBC Recipe, 7/30/00)

Blending Procedure

Place cucumber cubes in a food processor. Process until smooth and watery. Add aloe, hydrosol and tea and process a bit more. The mixture will be watery, yet not all of the cucumber pulp will completely liquefy. Separate the liquid from the cucumber pulp by straining it through a fine sieve or cheese cloth. (Set aside the cucumber pulp and use to make next week's recipe, "Cleansing Milk For Oily Skin".)  To use, dip flattened cotton or folded paper towel into the mixture and squeeze out excess.  Round the cotton or towels

to fit your eye area comfortably and place over eyes. Relax for several minutes while the blend of soothers provides comfort and relief. Store Cucumber Rose Eye Soother in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week and use as needed to relieve eye stress and tension.  Do not use essential oils in this recipe because it would sting your eyes. The cucumber and rose is very fragrant ... no essential oils needed!