Solubility & Behavior in Water

Not soluble.
Forms a soft, non-gel paste.
Creates a milky, smooth suspension in bath water.

Compatibility & Pairings

• Rice powder
• Kaolin clays
• Oat powder
• Marshmallow root
• Coconut milk powder
• Essential-oil-free deodorant bases

Shelf Life & Storage

1–2 years if kept airtight and dry.

Safety Notes

• Very gentle — rarely irritating
• Avoid inhaling fine particles

Arrowroot

Identity & Origin

Type: Starchy root powder
Source Plant: Maranta arundinacea
Region: Caribbean, South America
Processing: Washed, pulped, filtered, dried, and milled
Variants: Regular micronization or ultra-fine cosmetic grade

Uses in Apothecary Work
• Body powders
• Deodorant blends
• Dry shampoos
• Cleansing grains
• Bath stones (for softness + structure)
• Massage powder bases
• Powdered masks needing gentle texture

Historical & Cultural Context
Used by Indigenous Caribbean peoples as a culinary and medicinal starch.
Traditionally invoked for soothing skin, absorbing moisture, and supporting healing poultices.

Soft Earth • Silky Lightness

Key Minerals & Constituents

Rich in:
• Complex carbohydrates
• Soft starch granules
• Moisture-balancing qualities
• Creates a silky, non-greasy finish
Often used as a natural alternative to talc.

Preparation & Best Practices

• Blend with clays for balance
• Mix with oils or milks to form creamy pastes
• Sift before blending for silkiness
• Add gradually to prevent clumping

Energetic & Ritual Associations

Soft, nurturing earth.
Associated with comfort, grounding, and steadiness.

In the Archive With…

• Rice Powder
• White Kaolin
• Oat Powder

Appearance & Character

A soft, fine, snow-white powder with a velvety, lightweight feel.
Adds slip, softness, and a dry-touch finish to powders and cleansing blends.
Clump-resistant and ultra-silky.

Solubility & Behavior in Water

Fully soluble.
Creates alkaline, soft-feeling water.
Adds light effervescence when mixed with acids.

Compatibility & Pairings

• Dead Sea salt
• Epsom salt
• Arrowroot
• Rice powder
• Kaolin clays
• Lemon balm, mint, rosemary (scalp rituals)

Shelf Life & Storage

Indefinite when kept dry and sealed.

Safety Notes

• May irritate very sensitive or broken skin
• Avoid high concentrations in facial care
• Keep away from eyes

Baking Soda

(Sodium Bicarbonate)

Identity & Origin

Type: Alkaline mineral salt
Source: Naturally occurring deposits or chemical refinement from trona mineral
Regions: North America (especially Wyoming)
Variants: Natural mined, refined, food grade, cosmetic grade

Uses in Apothecary Work
• Bath bombs & bath stones
• Deodorant formulas
• Cleansing grains
• Foot soaks
• Powder-to-foam cleansers
• Mild exfoliation
• Scalp clarifying blends

Historical & Cultural Context
Used for centuries in household cleaning, bathing, deodorizing, and crafting natural remedies.
A staple in both folk medicine and modern self-care.
Symbolically tied to purification and “lightening.”

Alkaline Earth • Softening & Lift

Key Minerals & Constituents

Rich in:
• Sodium bicarbonate
Creates alkaline environments, softens water, assists mild exfoliation, and boosts clay cleansing power.

Preparation & Best Practices

• Mix with salts for balanced bathing blends
• Add small amounts to clays for boosted cleansing
• Avoid high percentages on sensitive skin
• Store airtight to prevent moisture clumping

Energetic & Ritual Associations

Air + Earth.
Used for cleansing, purification, freshness, and lifting stagnant energy.

In the Archive With…

• Dead Sea Salt
• Bentonite Clay
• Rice Powder

Appearance & Character

A fine, bright white crystalline powder.
Light, airy, and slightly gritty between fingers.
Adds brightness, lift, and softening to water.

Solubility & Behavior in Water

Not soluble.
Forms a light, milky suspension.
Adds gentle exfoliation when massaged onto skin.

Compatibility & Pairings

• Arrowroot
• Oat powder
• White or pink kaolin
• Rose powder
• Coconut milk
• Aloe vera

Shelf Life & Storage

1–2 years when stored airtight.

Safety Notes

• Extremely gentle but avoid inhalation
• May feel drying if used alone on very dry skin

Rice (Powder/Startch)

Identity & Origin

Type: Milled grain powder
Source: Oryza sativa
Region: Asia, especially Japan, Korea, China
Processing: Washed, dried, and finely milled
Variants: White rice, brown rice, glutinous rice — cosmetic grades

Uses in Apothecary Work
• Cleansing grains
• Exfoliating powders
• Powder-to-foam cleansers
• Bath stones for luminous water
• Face masks needing softness + polish
• Dry shampoos
• Deodorant bases

Historical & Cultural Context
Central to Japanese and Korean beauty rituals for centuries.
Used in Geisha cleansing grains (Nuka) and as a polishing skin treatment.
Symbolically associated with nourishment, purity, and simplicity.

Polished Grain • Gentle Polishing

Key Minerals & Constituents

Rich in:
• Starch
• Squalene (trace)
• Vitamin B complex
• Ferulic acid
Known historically for brightening and smoothing.

Preparation & Best Practices

• Blend with arrowroot for softness
• Combine with kaolin for gentle brightening
• Hydrate with aloe or hydrosols to make a paste
• Sift for ultra-smooth texture

Energetic & Ritual Associations

Water + Moon.
Linked to rest, soothing, emotional easing, and deep body recalibration.
A companion for rituals of recovery, sleep, and gentle return to balance.

In the Archive With…

• Arrowroot
• Pink Kaolin
• Coconut Milk Powder (Future)

• Cacao (Future)

Appearance & Character

A soft, creamy-beige powder with a smooth, lightly exfoliating texture.
Provides mild polishing action and a silky finish.

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