I post two pictures:
Ratanjot experiment 1 – the liquid is half goat milk, half water. As with all my goat milk alkanet experiments, I couldn’t get either blue or purple, just grey. At least this grey is a nice grey.
Ratanjot experiment 2 – the liquid is all water and the recipe is loaded with Shea Butter. Strangely, even without goat milk, I got another bluey grey! And this grey is even uglier without the goat milk!
Had a very important thought as I was unveiling Ratanjot experiment 2. What if all these soupy gray colours I have been getting with both Alkanet and Ratanjot are directly related to the type and quantity of OLIVE OIL I am using? My extra virgin local olive oil is very dark, and greeny... What if I just SKIP the olive oil all together and substitute entirely with a totally clear oil?? Or what if I were to add a little titanium dioxide in? Wow!!! Two new experiments to try with my AlkRaj!!! I have never tried titanium dioxide yet, I know I know... it is natural but I imagine the name sounds scary on a label for people who do not know what it is.
By the way, the reason I am experimenting with Ratanjot is because I am still looking for that perfect purple. I did get pretty close with Alkanet, but still want to experiment for even better purples.
I would be interested if anyone can contribute any information about Ratanjot.
Happy soaping everyone!
xo
Jen
7 comments:
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Kisses from Brazil.
Never heard of it until you brought it up. So no help, I'm afraid. But I'm pretty sure that the green in the Olive oil is a major factor. I use a more refined Olive oil for the coloured soaps except the greens. I've used TD and it produces a very nice white and I've mixed it with spirulina/green algae for a pretty light green. I have to try it some more. I use it in creams a lot since it's a sun screen.
Ratan Jot is an herb grown in Kashmir. The root is ground to a powder and used as a natural rich red food color in India
Ratan Jot is the original spice responsible for red color of Rogan Josh, and Tandoori Chicken, and yes it is the same as Alkanet (just a different word) Dark green olive oil is going to grey up your result for sure, Jen. Replace it or use a lighter version of olive oil. Best purple result on a natural basis I ever got where from Elderberry pigment
I love using Alkanet. I haven't experimented with Ratanjot, but it's good to know they're the same. I'm curious about Elderberry too. Natural purples are so beautiful.
I haven't heard of Ratanjot, but I know not to try it now I know it's the same as Alkanet:) I don't know about using TD, it might be classified as a naturally occuring oxide, but I'm not sure that it goes hand and hand with herbs, spices and other natural goodies. I think it goes well with artifical colours as it does a great job of lightening things. I just don't feel comforable using it in all natural soaps.
Thanks for all your comments! I may have to try Elderberry Pigment in my quest - Thanks Cocobong! AromaBeauty - I have also felt strange about using Titanium Dioxide but I have some and may experiment with it. Will post photos if I do! xo Jen
As far as I know, alkanet and ratanjot are the same thing. I am able to easily get it to do purple in a coconut heavy base (coconut has a white tendency - resists greying a bit - or it may be my imagination). It is still greyish - as in not a bright purple, but it is not grey for sure.
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