Meet the Matriarch of the Plains, Queen of the Salix and her entourage of Salicin rich courtiers; Aspen, Willow, Cottonwood. These are all Salix plants, all Salix plants contain an important pain relieving compound called Salicin. Salicin is the precursor of Salicylic Acid. Aspirin is a derivative of Salicylic Acid. Since the dawn of time Salicin has been extracted from plants by various means and employed to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation associated with inflammatory issues of the skin and musculoskeletal system. Cottonwood buds are a rich source of Salicin … a true and enduring gift from the world of plants.

Add the acid mantle to the long list of bodily functions which doesn't receive much attention but which can easily be at the root of skin issues, or be making them worse. If we knew better how the acid mantle functions we would take better care of it!  It's surprisingly easy to damage it; unknowingly, we don't properly nurture this microscopic film. In the past 100 years our habits and expectations have been entirely altered by the explosive growth of the cosmetic, beauty, fashion, hair and skin care industries. And this is spelling bad news for the skin of people of all ages. If we knew a bit more about the acid mantle and the history of cleansing we would be adopting more nourishing approaches to skin care, and making a habit of employing a few simple tricks to help along the way. 

This ain't your grandma's "lye soap" my dear!  Dispelling the myths surrounding REAL, old fashion soaps made from plant oils, seed butters, and fats is helpful to those seeking natural products. Learn what it is, how it's made today, it's ancient past and modern history. I found learning about how people cleansed themselves and their dirty stuff in the past to be particularly interesting.