The History and Benefits of Castile Soap

Castile soap is a type of soap that has been used for centuries, dating back to the time of the ancient Romans. The soap is made from natural ingredients, traditionally olive oil, and is known for its gentle cleansing properties. Want to know more about the history and benefits of Castile Soap? Read on.

The History of Castile Soap

The origins of Castile soap go back to the Levant, where Aleppo soap-makers have made hard soaps based on olive and laurel oil for millennia.

It is commonly believed that the Crusaders brought Aleppo soap back to Europe in the 11th century, based on the claim that the earliest soap made in Europe was just after the Crusades, but in fact, the Greeks knew about soap in the first century AD and Zosimos of Panopolis described soap and soapmaking in c. 300 AD. Following the Crusades, production of this soap extended to the whole Mediterranean area.

Early soap-makers in the Mediterranean area did not have easy access to laurel oil and therefore dropped it from their formulations, thereby creating an olive-oil soap now known as Castile soap.

Castile soap is so called because it was produced on a large scale in the territories of the Crown of Castile, from where it was exported to numerous places in Europe, mainly during the Modern Age. Although the Crown of Castile was not the only producer of this type of soap, it was its producer par excellence.

What is Castile Soap?

Castile soap is a type of soap made by saponifying vegetable oils with lye, traditionally made with olive oil from the Castile region of Spain. It is known for its gentle cleansing properties and versatility, and can be found in liquid or bar form.

Castile soap is eco-friendly, vegan (if it does not contain any animal by-products or synthetic detergents) and free from harsh chemicals making it an excellent non-toxic cleanser for children, pets and personal use. It is suitable for a variety of purposes such as personal hygiene, cleaning, laundry and pet care.

Benefits of Castile Soap

One of the key benefits of Castile soap is its natural ingredients. The soap is made from plant-based oils, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil, which makes it a gentle, vegan and non-toxic cleanser. This makes it a great choice for sensitive skin, as well as for babies and children.

Furthermore, it does not contain any harmful chemicals like paraben (preservative), or soap pretenders like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) or worse, triclosan (a carcinogen commonly found in anti-bacterial commerical cleanser) and many other synthetic chemicals found in commercial soap.

Another benefit of Castile soap is its versatility. The soap can be used for a variety of purposes, from cleaning and personal hygiene to laundry and pet care. It can be used as a body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, and even as a dish soap.

Castile soap is also an eco-friendly option, as it is biodegradable and free from harsh chemicals. This makes it a great choice for those who want to reduce their environmental footprint. It is also easily washed away helping you to save precious water.

Reference

Castile Soap – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castile_soap
Paraben – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben
SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate)  – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_dodecyl_sulfate
SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_laureth_sulfate
Triclosan – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan