Work in a well-ventilated area away from kids. Wear gloves, goggles, long sleeves, and, if needed, a mask.

Use a digital scale to measure all your ingredients out.

Pour the water into a heat-resistant glass container.

Add the lye to the water and stir the lye into the water slowly until it dissolves. Take care on this part as the chemical reaction will cause it to heat up quickly (avoid splashing on your skin or breathing in the fumes). Note: the temperature will rapidly increase!

Set the lye aside in a safe area out of reach to cool.

Melt the coconut oil, shea butter, castor oil, and sunflower oil in a double boiler.

Once the oils are melted and mixed together, allow them to cool down to 100°F before mixing with the lye water.

Slowly add the lye/water mixture to the oils, a little at a time (again, being careful!)

Place the immersion blender in the middle of the bowl at the base. Pulse for several seconds, then quickly swirl with the blender switched off. Repeat until it comes to a trace.

Finally, add your dried herbs and stir them in well.

Pour the soap into the mold and let it dry for one to three days before removing it to cure.

Once the soap has hardened enough to hold, remove it from the mold, cut it into individual bars, and place them on their sides in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks to cure fully.