'Holy Hog n’ Basil' pure lard soap is handcrafted in small batches here at our farm in Judique, Nova Scotia, Canada.  We use the lard from our own non-certified organic pasture-raised heritage pigs, or from another local small-scale certified organic farm here in Cape Breton.  Much care is taken in the sourcing of these fats if they come from off farm to ensure ethical practices are being used for a care of life and a high quality ingredient.  The fat is then hand-rendered on our wood cookstove or through our off-grid solar system on sunny days using a slow-cooker.  And then it’s turned into soap!
 
This soap is crafted from four simple ingredients: Organic Pastured Lard, Wild Brook Water, Food Grade Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) and Holy Basil (Tulsi.)  
 
The Holy Basil is grown in our gardens, which have never known a touch of chemicals or any other toxic ingredients, and is such an incredible plant.  An aromatic perennial, Holy Basil/Tulsi is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties…all the good “anti” qualities!  So this soap is beneficial for preventing and treating sensitive skin issues, such as acne, inflammation, and eczema.  We infuse the fresh Holy Basil leaves into our lard using the folk method, which creates a strong infusion through a slow and gentle process using the constant heat of our wood cookstove.  For those of you who have a good sense of smell and aren’t inundated with synthetic fragrances, this soap has a mild and sweet aroma from the natural aromatic qualities in the Tulsi.
 
Lard soap is mild and highly moisturizing, leaving your skin feeling smooth and…moisturized!  It creates a rich, creamy lather that does not dry or irritate your skin. Believe it or not, the fat cells in pigs are very similar to the structure of human cells. Both are largely composed of saturated fats, making lard easily absorbed by our skin, as well as extremely soothing and nourishing. Lard bars are hard and long-lasting and are great for sensitive and allergic skin.
 
This soap is ideal for everyday use as a hand, face, body, and shampoo bar.  There are some studies that have shown Tulsi to be beneficial for reducing dandruff and hair loss/thinning.  Since using our lard-based bars, I no longer struggle with chronically dry hands…and I used to practically live in a bottle of lotion!  My hands were constantly dried out from washing them, even when using plant-based handmade soaps. So I can attest to the incredibly nourishing capabilities of lard soap with its built in moisturizing abilities, even in the dead of winter on the east coast of Canada!
 
As this soap is handmade from whole, unprocessed ingredients, there will be natural variations in each batch of soap. No two bars will ever be the same! But we think that’s pretty cool and only adds to the beauty of artisan creations. 
 
To extend the life of your handcrafted soap, allow it to dry completely between uses by storing it on a soap dish, such as our artisan wooden Soap Docks. If soap sits in water, it can become soft and mushy. Store unused soap bars in a cool, dark, airy location. Use a skin patch test on your inner arm prior to first use.
 
Packaging:
We ship our offerings in upcycled materials when available, meaning that we put all of our attention on creating a high quality product, not in fancy packaging.  Repurposing these items gives them more than one usage, creating a lighter impact on the environment and decreasing unnecessary manufacturing.
 
Thank you for supporting our small farm as well as other small growers and producers in Nova Scotia.  We value your purchase and are grateful to be able to provide you with healthy, non-toxic offerings for your home and body.
 
For more information on our soaps and Hair of the Hog Botanicals, be sure to read our blog that delves into our process here at Twisted Roots Farm and the inspiration for creating these handcrafted offerings.
 
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