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THE SOAP AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO US.

Humanity has not always been taking regular showers. The history of soap and it`s uses in human hygiene is closely related to longevity.

The use of soap in human hygiene has a very large influence with the prevention of diseases and pests. In some old civilizations, we can read that the use of frequent body cleansing with just water and soap was enough to be able to live 80 and even 100 years old. Nevertheless in Europe during the middle ages the average life expectancy was only 40 years. You can read on history books that there were kings that took only two baths during their life, one when they were born and the other one when they were already dead.

There was no sewage systems in any big city. People just discarded their feces and urine on the street, and in order to disguise that foul odor the aristocrats used perfumes. They rather used lotions and perfumes than take a bath.

We all know the terrible consequences of pest and cholera. More than half of the population on those countries perished from these diseases.

As you can see, the discovery and use of soaps and detergents was a God blessing for humanity.

But now days we are facing a different problem in regards to soap. Our industrialized societies are producing and using products, ingredients and processes that are creating other health problems.

What’s so bad about commercial soaps?

The next time you walk down the soap aisle at your favorite store enjoying the fresh, clean scents and the bright colorful packaging, pay attention. Look at the labels. The vast majority of the products on the shelf don’t say ‘soap’ on their labels. They might be called beauty bars, moisturizing bars, or body bars, but not soap. That’s because these bars aren’t actually soap and can’t legally claim to be; they’re detergents. The manufacturers have removed most of the ‘good’ stuff that occurs in the soap making process, and replaced it with synthetic lathering agents and harsh chemicals. These cheap, plentiful detergent bars are not only bad for your skin, but they’re also bad for the planet, too.

Commercial soap manufacturers make it a practice to remove the glycerin that is produced during the saponification (soap-making) process. Glycerin is a highly profitable substance, often sold to other companies who use it to make lotions and moisturizers, which your skin, now dried out from the harsh detergent ‘soap,’ desperately needs.

What’s the alternative?

All natural, organic, handmade soap. There are several small businesses selling extremely high quality, all natural, organic soap – yes real soap. Sure, these soap bars generally cost more than the detergent bars you’ll find at Wal-Mart. But the difference is these soap bars are actually good for your skin, and are good for the planet.
Learn more:

http://www.naturalnews.com/026110_soap_natural_clay.html#ixzz3pAeLqHxS

Luz Alicia González P.