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| Pine Tar Soap |
Back in Grandpa and Grandma’s day, the use of pine tar in soap was pretty much a common thing. It was touted for soothing such skin problems as rashes, dry and itchy skin, and a variety of skin disorders.
Today, pine tar is commonly used as a wood preservative, a topical ointment for livestock, and in medicinal soaps and shampoos for humans.
Pine tar is a sticky substance produced by rapid decomposition of pine wood (usually stumps and roots) in a process of applying heat and pressure in a closed container. Pine tar does not smell pleasant. However, the reason pine tar is used in soap is not for its scent. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of pine tar are claimed to be very beneficial for a variety of skin ailments. No cure is guaranteed, of course, and one often must experiment to find what works for a particular condition.
Pine Tar Soap lathers up beautifully
and the pine tar scent does not linger for (too) long!
Some may find the scent pleasurable or intriguing
whereas others may think it is medicinal smelling or too strong.
You either love it or you don’t.
That is a call only you can make!
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| Pine Tar Soap |
tallow
soybean oil
coconut oil
olive oil
olive oil
sweet almond oil
shea butter
pine tar
Whether or not Pine Tar Soap appeals to you,
what appeals to me is that it is
reminiscent of a day gone by when
homesteaders made their own necessities
instead of going to a store to buy them.
Today, we are all busy and the "chores" are different.
Some chores (such as soapmaking) that were considered
a necessity for life on the prairie
are now considered a craft.
The pioneers went through much hardship
to establish life here on the prairie.
Life was very difficult back then
...
and it is still difficult today,
but let's not forget to appreciate the advances
we have made in meeting our most basic needs.
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| Drawing by my son, Ryan Medicine Rocks Park between Baker and Ekalaka, Montana   |
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