03/06/2026
Ethnopharmacy Course — Class 2
In our second class, we explored the world of herbal product development in more depth.
We began with pharmacodynamics, looking at how active compounds interact with the body, before moving into the practical side of creating a herbal-related business — using soap making as a hands-on example.
From theory, we went straight into practice: hot process soap making from scratch. 🧪🧼
Our students learned:
⚗️ The chemistry of saponification
How sodium hydroxide reacts with plant oils to create soap and glycerin — the nourishing part often removed by commercial brands, but kept in handmade soap.
🌿 The role of different oils and butters
How each ingredient affects the final bar, from lather and hardness to skin feel and texture.
📋 The legal process of bringing a cosmetic product to market
Including cosmetic safety assessments, stability testing, UK portal registration, product labelling, and legal requirements for selling safely.
Because making a beautiful soap is only half the journey. Knowing how to develop, label, and sell it legally and responsibly is just as important.
