The name was given to this soap by the Syrian city - one of the oldest in the world. The original Aleppo (Aleppo), which was the largest settlement of the Ottoman Empire, is at the origins of modern civilization. It is not surprising that it was he who gave us a natural product that has a complex of antibacterial and therapeutic properties.
Valuable product brought from Syria to Europe
Aleppo soap, the recipes of which are passed from father to son and remain unchanged for several centuries, appeared in the time of the Phoenicians. In Northwest Syria, it was originally a semi-liquid emulsion. In Aleppo, soapmakers are making dramatic changes to the manufacturing process to produce a solid product. In the VIII century, natural soap appeared in the form in which we know it today.
It is believed that it laid the foundation for the traditions of soap making, established throughout the Mediterranean. Military conflicts suffered terrible injuries, and human life depended on how the wounds were handled. It is no coincidence that such a product was highly valued, and its recipe was brought by the Crusaders to Europe. True, soap makers could not exactly repeat the Syrian soap due to the lack of noble laurel oil.
Natural soap on vegetable fats
Aleppo soap, the original name of which is Sapun Ghar, consists only of natural ingredients - olive and laurel oils, alkali and water. This is a universal remedy that perfectly cleanses the skin and hair, as well as perfectly cares for them. The higher the percentage of laurel oil content (from 4 to 45%), the more expensive the product and the stronger the anti-inflammatory properties.
Dark colored shingles but green inside
Freshly made Aleppo soap on vegetable fats has a nice greenish tint. However, gradually its surface darkens, acquiring a rich brown color, but inside it remains emerald. The thicker the dark layer, the older the product. Soap, which is aged for about six months, can be stored for up to 6 years. It has a cubic shape, due to the traditional method of its production and slicing.
Ancient recipe for making
In the VIII century, soap was produced by the so-called hot method. Olive oil mixed with alkali and water was introduced into a huge vat under which a fire was made. The contents boiled for three days. During this time, the ingredients reacted with each other. At the very end of the process, laurel oil was added and the viscous mixture was poured into a recess on the floor covered with wax paper. Then the hardened mass was cut manually into individual whetstones.
To ensure air circulation, Aleppo soap cubes were staggered in open space, and then they were placed in a special underground room for ripening for a period of six to nine months. During this time, chemical changes took place in it: free alkali, which did not react with oils, decomposed, and the moisture content decreased, making it solid. Storage of soap is similar to the maturation of wine: the longer an environmentally friendly product lies, the better it becomes.
Modern soap is produced in a cold way. Various essential oils, ground herbs and spices are added to it, which allowed to expand the range of the traditional Syrian product, which is popular among Europeans. In addition, there is a liquid soap with laurel oil.
Application of soap with a century of history
In one hundred percent natural product there are no dyes, animal fats, preservatives and other components of modern soap. This is a universal assistant that strengthens the epidermis: olive oil, which is part of it, moisturizes, softens and regenerates the skin, and laurel, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties, tones it. It is enough to lather problem areas several times a day (acne, acne), after which you need to wait a few minutes, enhancing the positive effects of the ingredients of Aleppo soap.
They can wash and rinse makeup. People with oily or mixed skin types must have this product at hand, which is used for allergies, irritations, dermatitis, rashes.
Soap helps relieve itching with mosquito bites. It is considered one of the most effective means to remove swelling, inflammation and prevent allergic reactions. It is enough to apply a natural remedy to the site of the bite, and then wash it off.
It is ideal for washing hair. Aleppo soap gives them shine and helps to cope with dandruff.
This is an indispensable tool for the care of delicate baby skin, which removes redness, diaper rash and strengthens local immunity.
A unique product from the "Planet Organics"
Various companies offer an environmentally friendly product that helps normalize lipid metabolism and is suitable for cleansing the body and hair. You can buy both solid and thick Aleppo soap, which has high nutritional and moisturizing properties. It has an unusual consistency of a greenish-brown hue. A unique product with a pleasant odor that foams well, is economically consumed and is easily washed off.
The hypoallergenic Aleppo soap from Planet Organika, brewed on the basis of an old recipe, contains organic oils of noble and laurel noble, grape seed, chamomile, saffron, myrtle and damask rose. It is suitable for any type of skin and hair, it can be used instead of shower gel and shampoo.
How to make the most famous soap with your own hands?
Soap “from scratch” is a natural product that does not include chemical ingredients. Modern soap makers use glassware that does not react with alkali. In addition, you will definitely need a special calculator that calculates the necessary proportions of a caustic chemical compound. It is worth noting that the cold method of making soap is often used, which can be used after a few months.
Laurel oil (about 100-150 g), previously melted in a water bath, with olive (400 g) is mixed in one container. 67 g of alkali must be poured into 165 g of water, stirring constantly. The solution cooled down to 30 ° C is poured into the oils. At this stage, you can add 5 g of citric and lactic acids, which improve the structure of the product and reduce its drying effect. Some soap makers advise replacing plain water with a eucalyptus decoction. The resulting mixture must be whipped with a submersible blender, bringing it to the stage of the trace - this is a condition in which the oils thicken and turn into a soapy mass. It is at this moment that surface saponification occurs.
With a hot cooking method, the resulting mass is sent to the oven for 3 or 4 hours (the desired temperature is 100 ° C). Stir it and add water if necessary. And only then is the fat added - unsaponified oils that retain their beneficial properties and direct them to skin care. These are caring components, the excess of which reduces foaming. You need to measure 40 g of laurel or olive oils, mix everything, after which the thick mixture is poured into a mold and left to solidify. Chopped cubes can already be used.
With the cold method, immediately after the appearance of the trace, a paste is added to the mass, which does not heat up and retains its properties. Then the resulting mixture is poured into the prepared form and put in a warm place (for example, on the battery) for several hours. The frozen soap needs to mature from 4 weeks to 9 months.
In general, the soap making process does not take much time, but it brings a lot of pleasant emotions. And soap can be handed out to relatives or sold.
What do customers say?
If you read the reviews about Aleppo soap, you can pay attention that buyers do not always respond positively to its specific smell, which you need to get used to. However, the tart aroma of laurel oil helps with colds, having a positive effect on the respiratory tract. It stimulates the human mental activity, allows you to achieve the best concentration, promotes the harmonization of the spirit and has an antidepressant effect.
Many admit that an amazing product with a natural composition struck them. If at first someone treated such soap with prejudice, then after meeting with him he radically changed his mind. It completely does not dry the skin and does not cause allergic reactions. This is indeed a universal remedy, suitable for both children and adults.