What are castile soaps?
Castile soap has been produced in Spain since medieval times. This gentle soap became so popular that “castile” is now a common term for any white soap made from olive oil.NamesCastile soap, or jabon de Castilla, was also known as sapo hispaniensis or sapo castilliensis to pharmacists, according to The Pharmaceutical Journal.ProcessThe Spanish burned the plant salsola to make an alkaline ash called “barilla.” They combined this with olive oil, then treated the product to remove impurities.Olive OilBecause it was based on olive oil, castile soap was a radical improvement over earlier soaps made from animal fat, and probably the first hard white soap ever created.BenefitsCastile soap is mild and can be used by those with skin problems. The main ingredient, olive oil, is believed to have a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.Other UsesBecause of its biodegradability, castile soap is considered environmentally friendly.
