Inspired by the pastry shops of Southern Italy, Spain, and France where historically and to this day were often a part of convents and the work of cloistered nuns. Driven by a financial need to support themselves and a spiritual devotion to baking, sisters throughout time have created some of the most well-known, loved, and iconic pastries of Southern Europe. This bar features some of the classic ingredients used in Southern Italian pastries and honors the strong thread that exists between the spiritual and sacred beliefs of these cultures, and the sweets they make to honor and accompany the celebrations.

Made with homemade Almond milk made from hand harvested Noto Romana Almonds, this years Olio Nuovo, Saffron’s precious red threads, powdered Etna Chestnuts I collected this November, and Hyblaean Mountain honey—this bar this bar is luxurious, deeply soothing, moisturizing, and emollient. Freshly made almond milk adds a creaminess and deeply moisturizing nature to soap. Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant among many other actions, Saffron is not always present in modern apothecaries but has been utilized medicinally for a long time both topically and internally. Chestnuts have a long history of being used in soap in shampoo in Sicily, and in their whole form contribute a wonderful scent and provide gentle exfoliation. Adding honey to soap in the right way causes it and the bar to caramelize as it hardens, resulting in this deepening of all the ingredients and a sweet, toasted scent. This emollient bar is calming and soothing for our skin and nervous system and lifting to our spirits. Herbal medicine is meant to be an easeful aspect of our daily lives, and weaving medicine into something we use as often as soap is a foundational way to incorporate herbs seamlessly into our days.

Soap handmade from scratch by the Cold Process Method with Whole Plant Extracts. No artificial ingredients or added fragrance. Always Organic & Wild. Cured for a minimum of 6 weeks.

Ingredients (All Organic): Noto Romana Almonds, Sicilian Chesnuts, Saffron (Crocus Sativa), Small Batch Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Small Batch Hemp Seed Oil, Spring Water, Shea Butter, Hyblaean Mountain Honey, Sodium Hydroxide*

*Sodium Hydroxide, otherwise known as Lye, is an essential ingredient in making hard soap which chemically causes saponification. It completely transforms in the process and no lye remains in the fully cured soap bar.

Please read announcement at the top of site for shipping information for remainder of holiday season. We are a super small apothecary and appreciate your patience and support of Slow Handcrafted Medicine.

Required Disclaimer - These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.