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More on Ayurveda
"The Ayurvedic science of food and diet is vast and comprehensive, and influences every aspect of our life. The tradition of Ayurveda extends back more than five thousand years and has been practiced continuously to the present day. Ayurveda is the eternal science of life and although India has seen many different rulers and aggressors it has never lost its integrity and essential nature. In 900 B.C. three magnificent scholars, Charak, Sushruta and Vag Bhat gave this oral tradition a new and wonderful form by writing down the priciples of Ayurveda. Today,their textbooks are still used by students, practitioners and all Ayuvedic medical schools and colleges throughout India." Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing. By Usha Lad & Dr.Vasant Lad. The Ayurvedic Press. 1994 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Tridoshas of Ayurveda
"The concept of constitution (orprakruti in Sanskrit) is the main framework and the very heart of Ayurveda. Ayurveda believes that there are three basic doshas, called vata, pitta and kapha, and every human being has some combination of these principles in their make-up. Your own unique prakruti is the clue or the map to discovering the foods and lifestyle that will balance you. Without understanding the three doshas or tridoshas,we will not fully realize the hidden secrets of ancient Ayurvedic cooking." More on the tridoshas later Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing. By Usha Lad & Dr.Vasant Lad. The Ayurvedic Press. 1994 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
What is French milled?
What is French milled soap? Our soap starts off as coconut and palm oil saponified into flakes. Then we put the soap flakes into a mixer along with the addition of essential oils, botanicals and extra almond oil. The 'new soap' gets extruded and sliced and shaped. French milled soaps are denser, therefore they last longer. They are also consistant, the added oils and botanicals are thoroughly amalgamated. You won't find any free oils or clumps of botanicals in a French milled soap. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
More about Lemons
Lemon also known as Citrus Limonum is a small evergreen tree up to 6 metres high,with stiff thorns and very fragrant flowers. Native to Asia, probably east India; it now grows wild in Mediterrean region especially Spain and Portugal. One story has it that lemon seeds were employed to eleviate the poison from scorpions and other venemous creatures. Once an Egyptian govenor condemned two convicts to be thrown to the snakes, as they were being led away to their end a woman gave them some lemons which they ate. When they were attacked and bitten by the snakes they seemed to be resistant to the venom and lived to tell the tale. Whether the story is true or not lemons must have prevented many cases of poisining, as it does today when we add a few drops of lemon juice to oysters and shell fish, within a quarter of an hour lemon juice rids oysters of 92 percent of their bacteria. The juice of the lemon is high in vitamin A,B and C. The essential oil is extracted by cold expression from the outer part of the fresh peel. The lemon peel dried and hung in closets was used at a moth repellent, www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
And now a little about Egyptian Herbals
"The first known Egyptian physician was Imhotep (2980-2900BC),a priest healer who also designed one of the earliest pyramids. He was greatly respected as a skilled and compassionate healer and was eventually deified. The Ebers papyri of 1550 BC list many herbal remedies and accompanying incantations, and around this time a form of astrology was incorporated into Egyptian physicians worked with around 900 herbs, and through their embalming skills, had a superior understanding of the human organism." The Complete Book of Herbs. A practical guide to growing & using herbs. by Lesley Bremness Viking Studio Press 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Essential oil Road
"The Phoenician merchants also exported their scented oils and gums to the Arabian peninsula and gradually throughout the Mediterranean region, particularly Greece and Rome. They introduced the West to the riches of the Orient: they brought camphor from China, cinnamon from India, gums from Arabia and rose fromSyria, always insuring that they kept their trade routes a closely guarded secret. The Greeks especially learnt a great deal from the Egytpians; Herodotus and Democrated, who visited Egypt during the fifth century BC, were later to transmit what they had learnt about perfumery and natural therapeutics. Herodotus was the first to record the method of distillation of turpentine, in about 425 BC, as well as furnishing the first information about perfumes and numerous other details regarding ordorous materials. Dioscorides made a detailed study of the sources and uses of plants and aromatics employed by the Greeks and Romans wwhich he compiled into a five volume materia medica, known as the Herbarius." The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Julia Lawless. Element Books 1992 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
A rose is a rose, but a rose geranium....
Geranium also known as pelargonium graveolens, a perennial shrub grows up to one metre high with serrated leaves and small pink flowers. Native to South Africa and widely cultivated in Russia, Egypt, Congo, Japan, Central America, and Europe ( mainly Spain, Italy, France). The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves, stalks and flowers. Often used to aid acne, bruises, broken capillaries, burns, oily complexion and eczema. Among Native Americans, the roots were a popular skin astringent. Crushed roots were favored as poultices for arthritic joints, hemorrhoids and sore feet. Compresses made from geranium root teas were used for sores, bleeding wounds and burns. Recommended for mature skin. Try our Rose Geranium Soap and bath salts. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Not sure what to get? Try out our soap sampler.
A wonderful soap sampler for all. This sampler has: sandalwood, rose geranium, lavender, citrus, woodland. enjoy. A great gift item or for first time customers or people ready to try something new on a small scale. Get an essence of a variety of our soaps. Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Have you checked out our Mexican Bags?
Last August we traveled down to Oaxaca, Mexico and could not resist these very cool bags. They were made by a husband and wife team, he would print them and she would sew. Yes they are made of vinyl, perfect for toting a lunch, picnic, wet swim suite, gym supplies,baby supplies and small amounts of groceries. They come in stylin' day-glo colors: Bright Green with yellow, Hot pink, Yellow with orange. These are a must have for all fashion occasions. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
More on Chinese Herbology
"During the Ming Dynasty, a world famous Compendium of Materia Medica was compiled by Li Shizhen (1518-1593). From childhood he had always followed his father, collecting herbs and copying presciptions, and he became aware of the real need for an accurate and comprehensive manual. His Materia Medica was completed in 1578 after 27 years of research: It is a thoroughly practical and scientific manual, listing 1800 recipes or compounds. This process of updating and revising information has continued to the present day." The Complete Book of Herbs: A practical guide to growing and use of herbs. by Lesly Bremness Viking Studio Press 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Chinese Herbalism continued
"The Nei Ching was updated in the sixth century A.D. and again in the seventh century, when a certain Su Jing had a vision of a more complete herbal, and approached the Tang dynasty for sponsorshp. The court responded with the provisionof 20 experrts and a command to each province to submit records and illustrations of the useful herbs in their area. After two years a Revised Canon of Herbs was published, describing the source, collection methods, flavor and therapeutic properties of 844 herbs. More than 800 years before the Western printing press was invented, the Tang government printed and distributed the revised herbal throughout China". The Complete Book of Herbs: A practical guide to growing and use of herbs. by Lesly Bremness Viking Studio Press 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
What is the country with the longest history of herbal medicine?
"The country with the longest unbroken tradition in herbal medicine is China. By the time he died in 2698 BD., the legendary Emperor Shen Nung had "tasted one hundred herbs." His canon of herbs deal with 252 plants, describing haw to preserve and administer them, and many are still in use. A hundred years later the Yellow Emperor, Huang Ti, formalized medical theory in the Nei Ching and displayed a sophisticated understanding of human diseasee for the time: "In treating illness it is necessary to examine theentire context, scrutinize the symptoms, observe the emotions and attitudes. If one insists on the presence of ghosts ands pirits, one cannot speak of therapeutics." It was an optimistic book, stating that, with the growth of knowledge, all kinds of disease would eventually be curable" The Complete Book of Herbs: A practical guide to growing and use of herbs. by Lesly Bremness Viking Studio Press 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Our Best Selling Soap!
The Romans used lavender in their bath water (its name derives from Latin lavare, to wash)and to heal sword wounds and burns. Lavender oil, applied externally, provides relief from headaches, eases the soreness of muscles and joints and reduces inflammation. Try our fresh french lavender soap and bath salts made from the finest lavender essential oil. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
River Soap Beginnings
River Soap Company began in our kitchen in 1992. Since then we've outgrown our kitchen and have continued to expand to include 12 different soaps, 8 types of bath salts in 3 sizes, 2 sizes of all natural sea sponges and our very own complexion mitts in either unbleached, undyed cotton or in designer colors. River Soaps are triple French milled, all vegetable and all natural. *Milling our soaps three times makes them dense, long lasting (5 weeks or more) and neat, they won’t leave a gooey mess in the soap dish. *We use no artificial colorants in our soaps and bath salts only botanicals & minerals; Paprika powder makes our Calming Sandalwood soap and bath salts a subtle salmon color and sea kelp powder makes our Ocean Mist a pleasant green color while acting as an exfoliator and adding trace minerals. *We use only fragrances derived from essential oil, our unique combinations of essential oil have made us famous in the industry. *Sweet almond oil makes our soaps extra moisturizing but not greasy, it is light, colorless and scent free. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see Our Natural Soap Products Click Hee to see our Natural Soap Products
A little about the Lemon
Lemon also known as Citrus Limonum is a small evergreen tree up to 6 metres high,with stiff thorns and very fragrant flowers. Native to Asia, probably east India; it now grows wild in Mediterrean region especially Spain and Portugal. The juice of the lemon is high in vitamin A,B and C. The essential oil is extracted by cold expression from the outer part of the fresh peel. One story has it that lemon seeds were employed to eleviate the poison from scorpions and other venemous creatures. Once an Egyptian govenor condemned two convicts to be thrown to the snakes, as they were being led away to their end a woman gave them some lemons which they ate. When they were attacked and bitten by the snakes they seemed to be resistant to the venom and lived to tell the tale. Whether the story is true or not lemons must have prevented many cases of poisining, as it does today when we add a few drops of lemon juice to oysters and shell fish, within a quarter of an hour lemon juice rids oysters of 92 percent of their bacteria. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Ancient Trade Route Scented with Essential OIls
"The Phoenician merchants also exported their scented oils and gums to the Arabian peninsula and gradually throughout the Mediterranean region, particularly Greece and Rome. They introduced the West to the riches of the Orient: they brought camphor from China, cinnamon from India, gums from Arabia and rose fromSyria, always insuring that they kept their trade routes a closely guarded secret. The Greeks especially learnt a great deal from the Egytpians; Herodotus and Democrated, who visited Egypt during the fifth century BC, were later to transmit what they had learnt about perfumery and natural therapeutics. Herodotus was the first to record the method of distillation of turpentine, in about 425 BC, as well as furnishing the first information about perfumes and numerous other details regarding ordorous materials. Dioscorides made a detailed study of the sources and uses of plants and aromatics employed by the Greeks and Romans wwhich he compiled into a five volume materia medica, known as the Herbarius." The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Julia Lawless. Element Books 1992 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Historical Roots of Essential oil: Part Three
"The Phoenician merchants also exported their scented oils and gums to the Arabian peninsula and gradually throughout the Mediterranean region, particularly Greece and Rome. They introduced the West to the riches of the Orient: they brought camphor from china, cinnamon from India, gums from Arabia and rose fromSyria, always insuring that they kept their trade routes a closely guarded secret. The Greeks especially learnt a great deal from the Egytpians; Herodotus and Democrated, who visited Egypt during the fifth century BC, were later to transmit what they had learnt about perfumery and natural therapeutics. Herodotus was the first to record the method of distillation of turpentine, in about 425 BC, as well as furnishing the first information about perfumes and numerous other details regarding ordorous materials. Dioscorides made a detailed study of the sources and uses of plants and aromatics employed by the Greeks and Romans wwhich he compiled into a five volume materia medica, known as the Herbarius." The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Julia Lawless. Element Books 1992 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
The many uses of Lemongrass
Lemongrass essential oil also known as Cymbopogon Citratus is a fast growing, tall, aromatic perennial grass. Native to Asia however the major oil producers are Guatemala and India.The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh and partially dried leaves or grass. Locals then used the grass as cattle feed. Lemongrass essential oil has been used for acne, athlete's foot, insect repllent, tissue toner, aids in muscular pain and poor circulation. Often used for stress related conditions and headaches. Lemongrass is used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, try chopping lemongrass and combining it with garlic, sugar, chopped shallots, thai chili and fish sauce all in a zip lock bag along with sliced tofu or meat of your choice. Marinate for an hour then grill ( first removing the lemongrass). Wonderful! River Soap uses Lemongrass Essential oil in it's Ocean Mist soap and bath salts. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Rose Geranium
Geranium also known as pelargonium graveolens, a perennial shrub grows up to one metre high with serrated leaves and small pink flowers. Native to South Africa and widely cultivated in Russia, Egypt, Congo, Japan, Central America, and Europe ( mainly Spain, Italy, France). The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves, stalks and flowers. Often used to aid acne, bruises, broken capillaries, burns, oily complexion and eczema. Among Native Americans, the roots were a popular skin astringent. Crushed roots were favored as poultices for arthritic joints, hemorrhoids and sore feet. Compresses made from geranium root teas were used for sores, bleeding wounds and burns. Recommended for mature skin. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Ancient Beginnings of Essential Oil
"Natural aromatics and perfume materials constituted one of the earliest trade items of the ancient world, being rare and highly prized. When the Jewish people began their exodus from Egypt to Israel around 1240 BC, they took with them many precious gums and oils together with knowledge of their use. On their journey, according to the Book of Exodus, the Lord transmitted to Moses the formula for a special anointing oil, which included myrrh, cinnamon, clamus, cassia and olive oil among its ingredients. This holy oil was used to consecrate Aaron and his sons into priesthood, which continued from generation to generation. Frankincense and myrrh, as treasures from the East were offered to Jesus at his birth." The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. Julia Lawless Element Books. 1992 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Harvesting Sea Sponges
Our sponges grow on rocks in the warm waters off the Florida coast. Divers cut the sponges leaving a 2 inch stem attached to the rock. This piece will rejuvenate and begin to grow. This new sponge will be ready to harvest the following year. The sponge also releases sperms when cut which give birth to new sponges. In times of rough seas, many sponges won’t survive so divers will plant sponges onto rocks for the next year’s harvest. We have been buying our sea sponges directly from the same divers for the past 13 years. They're wonderful people and supply us with some of the best sponges at the some of the best prices. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Historical Roots of Essential oil: Part Two
" Aromatic plants and oils have been used for thousands of years, as incense, perfumes and cosemtics and for their medical and culinary applications. Their ritual use constituted an integral part of the tradition in most early cultures, where their religious and therapeutic roles became inextricably intertwined. This type of practice is still in evidence: for example, in the East, springs of juniper are burnt in Tibetan temples as a form of purification; in the West, frankincense isused during the Roman Catholic mass. The Vedic literature if India dating from around 2000BC, lists over 700 substances including cinnamon, spikenard, ginger, myrrh, coriander and sandalwood. But aromatics were considered tobe more than just perfumes; in the Indo-Aryan tongue, 'atar' means smoke, wind, odour and essence, and the Rig Veda codifies their use for bnoth liturgical and therapeutic purposes. The manner in which it is written reflects a spiritual and philosophical outlook, in which humanity is seen as a part of nature, and the handlingofherbs as a sacred task..." The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. by Julia Lawless. Element Books. 1992 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Historical Roots of Essential oil: Part One
" Aromatic oils can be found in all the various parts of a plant, including seeds, bark, root, leaves, flowers, wood, balsam and resin. The bitter orange tree, for example, yields orange oil fromt he fruit peel, petitgrain from the leaves and twigs,and neroli oil from the orange blossoms. The clove tree produces different types of essential oil from its bud, stalks and leaves, wheras the Scotch pine yields distinct oils from its needles, wood and resin. The wide range of aromatic materials obtained from natural sources and art of the extraction and use has developed slowly over the course of time, but its origins reach back to the very heart of the earliest civilization."The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. By Julia Lawless. Element Books. 1992 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
More about Essential oils
"When we peel an orange, walk through a rose garden or rub a sprig of lavender between our fingers, we are all aware of the special scent of that plant. But what exactly is it that we can smell? Generally speaking, it is essential oils which gives spices and herbs their specific scent and flavour, flowers and fruit their perfume. The essential oil in the orange peel is not difficult to identify; it is found in such profusion that it acutally squirts out when we peel it. The minute droplets of oil which are contained in tiny pockets or glandular cells in the outer peel are very volatile, that is, they easily evaporate, infusing the air with their characteristic aroma. But not all plants contain essential or volatile oils in such profusion. The aromatic content in the flowers of the rose is so very small that it takes one ton of petals to produce 300g of rose oil. It is not fully understood why some plants contain essential oils and others not. It is clear that the aromatic quality of the oils plays a role in the attraction or repulsion of certain insects or animals. It has also been suggested that they play an important part in the transpiration and life processes of the plant itself, and as a protection againest disease. They have been described as the hormone or life blood of the plant, due to their highly concentrated and essential nature." The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils. By Julia Lawless. Element Books Inc. 1992 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
And what about Bergamont?
Bergamont, aka citurs bergamia, is a small tree about 4.5 meters high with smooth oval leaves, which bears small yellowish to greenish fruit much like a miniature orange. The extraction of essential oil is by coldexpression of the peel. Native to tropical Asia, itis extensively cutlivated in Calabria in southern Italy and the Ivory Coast. Bergamont was named after the city of Bergamo in Lombardy, where the oil was first sold. The oil has been used in Italian folk medicine for many years andrecently research has suggested many other medical applications. Aromatherapy uses iclude relief from anxiety, depression and stress related conditions. River Soap Company uses Bergamont essential oil in its Sweet Citrus Soap. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Essentail Oils: A bit of the basics
"Essential oils are the concentrated vital essences of aromatic plants. They contain potent therapeutic properties and are much used in cosmetics, perfumes and flavorings and in aromatherapy, a system of healing the body through massage, inhalation or bathing with blended essential oils. Although called - oils- they are more like water, being a liquid that readily evaporates.Essential oils are found in minute glands in one or more parts of aromatic plants: in leaves ( basil), flowers (rose), fruit (lemon), seed (corriander), wood (sandalwood), resin (frankincense), bark (cinnamon), and roots (calamus). Heat causes these essences to evaporate, creating a protective aura around the plant which seems to fight bacteria, fungi and pests, and also seems to act as a buffer againest extreme temperatures." Quoted from The Complete Book of Herbs, A practical guide to growing and using herbs. By Lesley Bremness. Viking Studio Books DK Books 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see Our Natural Soap Products
Oh the Vetiver.
“Vetiver is a tall, tufted, perennial, scented grass with long narrow leaves and an abundant complex lace work of underground white rootlets”. Native of South India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The essential oil is produced mainly in Java and Haiti by steam distillation from the roots and rootlets. Actions/Home use- Aid in acne, cuts, oily skin, wounds. Beneficial for arthritis, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, sprains and stiffness. Also used for insomnia, depressions and nervous tension. ` Vetiver is deeply relaxing, so valuable in massage and baths for anybody experiencing stress’. The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless 1992 Try our river soap company's vetiver soap, with avocado oil and oat and wheat bran. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see Our Natural Soap Products
Chamomile, Oh Chamomile....
That's right chamomile is one of the most versitile and widely used herbs. The earliest recorded use of chamomile appears to haveneen made by the ancient Egyptians, who dedicated the aromatic yellow flowers of the plant to their gods. The Latin name for chamomile, Matricaria, is derived from the ancient uses of this herb. Matricaria is derived from thewords matrix, which means womb.Chamomile was used thousands of years ago to relieve many of the complaints related to childbearing. More on the great chamomile later. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Bet you didn't know....
We put calendula/marigold flowers into our sweet citrus soap. “Ancient Egyptians valued it as a rejuvenating herb. Hindus used it to decorate temple altars and Persians and Greeks garnished and flavored food with its golden petals. …It is a soothing antiseptic and an excellent skin healer, especially for cracked skin and chapped lips. In the American Civil Was, doctors on the battlefield employed the leaves to treat open wounds.” The Complete Book of Herbs. By Lesley Bremmes www.riversoap.com Click Here to see Our Natural Soap Products
Lavender, the amazing!
Want to relax after a hard days work? Try River Soaps Lavender Bath Salts in a bath or as a foot bath. For a foot bath make sure to have a towel handy for afterwards . Lavender in a bath is invigorating and is thought to be helpful for heart and circulatory disorders. During the Rennaissance it was used as a general health tonic. Since lavender is a slight stimulant, it is not recommended for use in the evening. Lavender appplied externally can provide relief from headaches, eases soreness of muscles and joints and can reduce inflammation. At River soap, we have heard from customers that have used our lavender bath salts for relief from arthritis, eczema, headaches, bruises and backpain. What an amazing cure all and a great smelling one at that! www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
River Soaps since 1991
River soap's large, long lasting 4.5 ounce french milled soaps are all vegetable base, biodegradable and cruelty free. Our soaps contain no perfumes nor artificial colorants. The subtle colors are derived from natural spices and botanicals. We use essential oil to scent our soaps and add sweet almond oil to every bar to make them extra moisturizing. Relax with our luxurious bath salts, lightly colored with botanicals and scented with essential oils which let the aroma therapy qualities relax, soothe and invigorate your senses. Our bath products are simply wrapped. Our soaps and bath salts don't need fancy packaging as they are naturally beautiful. Experience our fresh, naturally invigorating soaps and bath salt products today www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Mountain Laurel Soap
Bay Laurel essential oil, is the famed leaf of Greece's crown of laurels, used to denote victory and nobility. Mainly used for culinary purposes now, the ancients used it for medicinal remedies. Bay Laurel was used for the stimulation of appetite and thought be be helpful for digestive disorders. American natives used the leaves as an insect repellent and also employed the crushed leaves againest neuralgia. Known for their pain deadening powers, bay leaves were added to bath waterr to ease arthritis. River Soap Company's Mountain Laurel soap contains bay laurel. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
It's all about the oats.
When one says "he's feeling his oats", one is making a direct reference to the observable stimulating properties of the grain. Oats contain B-complex, calcium, flavones and saponins plus vitamin A. The presence of vitamin A makes oat straw an aid to the complexion. River Soap Company adds oats to it's Vetiver soap. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Sweet Citrus with Calendula
Calendula officinalis is the scientific name for Marigold! Marigold as we all well know is a common garden plant, producing lush yellow blossoms that open and close in time with the sun. The golden flowers are usually considered to be the medicinal part of the herb. The flowers contain saponins, flavone glycosides,and vitamin A. The effect is similiar to witch hazel and arnica, as an anti-inflammatory and soothing topical compress. We add calendula flowers to our Sweet Citrus soap! www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Many Facts and a bit of Folklore
· Fresh Lavender is made with lavender flowers and essential oil of lavender. This is a soothing soap with a refreshing fragrance. Good for dry and sensitive skin. · Calming sandalwood is a lovely scented soap made with the soothing oil of sandalwood which has a calming effect on the body and mind. Sweet orange oil is used for its uplifting scent. · Sweet Citrus with calendula flowers, known for their healing properties, is made with essential oil of lemon, orange, bergamont, and lemon grass. This soap has a refreshing quality and a wonderful sweet scent. · Ocean Mist with sea kelp is made with essential oil of lemon grass, rosemary, and patchouli, which are said to revitalize and invigorate the skin. Sea kelp powder, which is high in trace minerals, acts as a great skin conditioner. · Rosewood with crushed rose petals contain essential oil of rosewood and palmarosa. This ‘soap of love’ is subtly sweet, soothing and extra moisturizing. Crushed rose petals give this soap a warm blush color. · Garden Mint is made with five refreshing essential oils: clary sage, peppermint, spearmint, rosemary & black pepper. All are said to contribute to one’s well being and promote longevity. · Rose Geranium is made with the delightful essential oils of rose geranium and palmarosa, traditionally used to relieve stress and improve circulation. · Eve’s Flower is made with essential oil of lavender, pettigran, rosewood, ylang ylang, and rosemary which creates a wonderful woodsy scent with a hint of spicy floral. Perfect for oily skin · Milk & Honey complexion bar is simply made with powdered milk for a creamy texture and pure honey, known as Cleopatra’s secret beauty aid. Scent free. · Woodlands with help seed oil is made with a relaxing blend of lavender, cedarwood and patchouli essential oil. We add extra moisturizing hemp seed oil and black tea leaves as a mild exfoliate. This is truly an earth friendly soap. · Vetiver with avocado oil is made with the relaxing essential oils of vetiver, corriander & grapefruit which aid muscular aches and pains by stimulating circulation. We add nourishing avocado oil and organic oat and wheat bran. Vetiver is known in India as the “oil of tranquility”. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Herbs for Health
"Since the beginning of time, people have turned to plants for healing help. It is rather ironic that this form of medicine, the oldest and still the mostimportant in many parts of the world, should in some way be considered alternative, while the relatively new science of synthetic drugs in Western medicine should be called orthodox. What is important is that the best in every system should be valued and that proper attention should be paid to the dangers of any method. ...For thousands of years early tribes accumulated a useful body of herbal knowledge through a process of trial and error. Women, with restricted mobility of the child bearer, assumed the tasks of collecting and admistrating herbs, so that medicine was almost universally a female vacation in prescientific cultures. Early people also saw a link between health renewal and a woman's ability to create new life. The healing craft and plant knowledge was handed down from mother to daughter.." The Complete Book of Herbs. A practical guide to growing and using herbs. by Lesley Bremness. DK Books 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
How Essential Oils are Produced
" The extraction of oils is a highly complex and expensive business. Most oils are collected by distillation (steaming) or enfleurage ( in grease). Both methods are time consuming and labor intensive, and require experrt use of complicated equipement and top quality materials. Huge amounts ofplantstock are needed to distill minute quantities of oil: it takes about 250 pounds of rose petals to produce one fluid ounce of essential oil." The Complete Book of Herbs. Apractical guide to growing and usingherbs. by Lesley Bremness DK Books 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Essential Oils- Healing Properties
"The revival of essential oils for healing in the West was instigated by a French chemist, Professor Rene- Maurice Gattefosse, who originated the term aromatherapy. He conducted experiments with essential oil on wounded soldiers during World War I. At this time, the most commonly usesd antiseptic was phenol, which was good for cleaning hospital floors but not very effective for healing wounds. ...His work proved that essential oils, particularly lavender, are superior to chemical antiseptics in their ability to detoxify.... More recent experiements have shown that essential oils are carried through the circulatory system to all the organs and eventually through the elimination system, the process taking anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours. To appreciate this, rub the sole of your foot with a slice of garlic, then smell your breath several hours later. It seems that each organ takes from the essential oils the components it needs. Both directly in the pleasure they give and indirectly, the essential oils are theraputic. The sense of smell is our most ancient sense and yet the one we know least about. A scent travels from the olfactory nerves in the nose directly to the part of the brain concerned with intuition, emotions and creativity. It registers almost twice as fast as a pain sensation. Because the sense of smell is so immediate, sustances administered by scent are likely to affect the body's chemical balance. For this reason, psychiatrists and psychologists are taking great interest in the safe mood changing potential of essential oils." The Complete Book of Herbs. A practical guide to growing and using herbs. by Lesley Bremness DK Books. 1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Essential Oil 101 Continued Part 2
"Over two thousand years ago, the Greek physician Theophrastus wrote a study of scent and its healing effects entitled Concerning Odors. Inthis, he laid the early groundwork for some of our current understanding of aromatherapy. He describes the effects of different flower essences and noted that aromatic plant poultice applied to a leg could permeate the skin and enter the circulatory system. In Arabia, the technique of distillation was perfected centuries ago. This method of extracting plant essences by steaming is still the most useful in terms of preserrving a plant's fragrance and healing properties. During the eleventh century A.D., Persian chemists distilled highly exotic and sophisticated essences, including the famous attar of roses. Crusaders learned these skills and brought them back to Europe. For the past few centuries, the world's essential oil industry has been centered in Grasse, in southern France. With sixteenth-century fashion for scented gloves,local glovers were licensed to scent their own leather and sell perfumes, and their use of lavender oil appears to have rendered them immune to an outbreak of cholera. Today essentail oils have an enormous range of uses, in food, cosmetics and medicines. Most of the research is into their remarkable healing potential." from the book The Complete Book of Herbs, A practical guide to growing & using herbs. By Lesley Bremess DK Books.1988 www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Essential Oil 101 Continued
"Aromatic oils have a long, rich history and were highly valued in ancient cultures in the Far and Middle East, including Egypt, China and India. Ayurveda, a system o f traditional Indian medicine dating back to 1000 B.C., includes these oils in many healing and rejuvenating recipes. Numerrous papyri and temple reliefs show us that the Egyptians used them to perrfume their clothes and bodies, to preserve and flavor food and drink, to heal, and most famously, to embalm. When the tomb of Tutankhamen was entered in 1922, the scent of the herb oils was still perceptible." Quoted from The Complete Bookof Herbs, A pratical guide to grwoing and using herbs. by Lesley Bremness. DK Books 1988 To be continued.... www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
What we are all about
Natural soaps and bath saltsRiver soap's large, long lasting 4.5 ounce french milled soaps are all vegetable base, biodegradable and cruelty free. Our soaps contain no perfumes nor artificial colorants.
The subtle colors are derived from natural spices and botanicals. We use essential oil to scent our soaps and add sweet almond oil to every bar to make them extra moisturizing.
Relax with our luxurious bath salts, lightly colored with botanicals and scented with essential oils which let the aroma therapy qualities relax, soothe and invigorate your senses.
Our bath products are simply wrapped. Our soaps and bath salts don't need fancy packaging as they are naturally beautiful.
Experience our fresh, naturally invigorating soaps and bath salt products today soaps, bath salts . We invite you to read our customers comments.
Essential Oils 101
"Essential oils are the concentrated vital essences of aromatic plants. They contain potent therapeutic properties and are much used in cosmetics, perfumes and flavorings and in aromatherapy- asystem of healing the body through massage, inhalation or bathing with blended essential oils. Although called - oils- they are more like water, being a liquid that readily evaporates. Essential oils are found in minute glands in one or more parts of aromatic plants: in leaves ( basil), flowers (rose), fruit (lemon), seed (corriander), wood (sandalwood), resin (frankincense), bark (cinnamon), and roots (calamus). Heat causes these essences to evaporate, creating a protective aura around the plant which seems to fight bacteria, fungi and pests, and also seems to act as a buffer againest extreme temperatures." Quoted from The Complete Book of Herbs, A practical guide to growing and using herbs. By Lesley Bremness. Viking Studio Books DK Books 1988 Essential oils will be continued.... www.riversoap.com Click Here to see Our Natural Soap Products
Chamomile, Not just another pretty flower!
Chamomile is one the the most versatile and widely used herbs. The earliest recorded use of chamomile appears to have been made by the ancient Egyptians, who dedicated the flower to their gods. The Latin name for chamomile is Matricaria which is derived from matrix meaning womb. Chamomile had been used for thousands of years to relieve many of the complaints associated with child bearing. Chamomile tea is commonly used as a remedy for indigestion and other types of stomach ailments.Compresses made from a strong chamomile tea applied to the skin has been used to treat eczema. More on the many uses of chamomile later.... www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Planting Sponges?
Our sponges grow on rocks in the warm waters off the Florida coast. Divers cut the sponges leaving a 2 inch stem attached to the rock. This piece will rejuvenate and begin to grow. This new sponge will be ready to harvest the following year. The sponge also releases sperms when cut which give birth to new sponges. In times of rough seas, many sponges won’t survive so divers will plant sponges onto rocks for the next year’s harvest. River Soap Company has bath and facial size sea sponges at some of the best prices around. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Oats, Oats & More Oats
When one says "he's feeling his oats", one is making a direct reference to the observable stimulating properties of the grain. Oats contain B-complex, calcium, flavones and saponins plus vitamin A. The presence of vitamin A makes oat straw an aid to the complexion. River Soap Company adds oats to it's Vetiver soap. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Bay Laurel
Yep, thats what goes into our Mountain Laurel soap. Bay Laurel essential oil, is the famed leaf of Greece's crown of laurels, used to denote victory and nobility. Mainly used for culinary purposes now, the ancients used it for medicinal remedies. Bay Laurel was used for the stimulation of appetite and thought be be helpful for digestive disorders. American natives used the leaves as an insect repellent and also employed the crushed leaves againest neuralgia. Known for their pain deadening powers, bay leaves were added to bath waterr toease arthritis. River Soap Company's Mountain Laurel soap contains bay laurel. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
Insight into Lavender
The Romans used lavender in their bath water (its name derives from Latin lavare, to wash)and to heal sword wounds and burns. Lavender oil, applied externally, provides relief from headaches, eases the soreness of muscles and joints and reduces inflammation. Try our fresh french lavender soap and bath salts made from the finest lavender essential oil. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
What is Calendula?
Calendula officinalis is the scientific name for Marigold! Marigold as we all well know is a common garden plant, producing lush yellow blossoms that open and close in time with the sun. The golden flowers are usually considered to be the medicinal part of the herb. The flowers contain saponins, flavone glycosides,and vitamin A. The effect is similiar to witch hazel and arnica, as an anti-inflammatory and soothing topical compress. We add calendula flowers to our Sweet Citrus soap! www.riversoap.com Click Here to see our Natural Soap Products
The Beginnings:In the Kitchen
River Soap Company began in our kitchen in 1992. Since then we’ve outgrown our kitchen and have continued to expand to include 12 different soaps, 8 types of bath salts in 3 sizes, 2 sizes of all natural sea sponges and our very own complexion mitts in either unbleached, undyed cotton or in designer colors. River Soaps are triple French milled, all vegetable and all natural. ~Milling our soaps three times makes them dense, long lasting (5 weeks or more) and neat- they won’t leave a gooey mess in the soap dish. ~We use no artificial colorants in our soaps and bath salts only botanicals & minerals; Paprika powder makes our Calming Sandalwood soap and bath salts a subtle salmon color and sea kelp powder makes our Ocean Mist a pleasant green color while acting as an exfoliator and adding trace minerals. ~We use only fragrances derived from essential oil, our unique combinations of essential oil have made us famous in the industry. ~Sweet almond oil makes our soaps extra moisturizing but not greasy, it is light, colorless and scent free. www.riversoap.com Click Here to see Our Natural Soap Products
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