Aleppo

The migrant crisis is overwhelming and devastating here in Europe.  While thousand and thousands of immigrants are flooding across Central Europe this week, Italy saves thousands and thousands from shipwrecks and abandoned ships.

The major country these people are fleeing from is Syria, home of a city I'm sure you've heard before in the news.  Aleppo.

One of the amazing things about Aleppo, and I'm sure there are hundreds as the city of ancient and full of wonders, is that it is the birthplace of something called Aleppo soap, which is considered the first soap ever made.  Originally hot processed, that is cooked, it's now more easily made through the cold process method.

Aleppo is made with a rare oil, something called Laurel Berry, which has the most amazing earthy/herby aroma.  It's considered a Castille bar, that is it's made with only one or two locally sourced oils.  That means that the process of making the soap takes months, and even years.  Once you've made the soap, it needs to cure, which means it sits and hardens as the water in it evaporates.

The soap is amazing.

Aleppo soap can be used daily as soap for washing and shampooing, as face mask, as shaving cream, and for bathing infants and babies.^[7]
The soap is effective against insect bites^[8] and is used for a variety of skin ailments such as skin allergies, irritated skin or conditions such as general dermatitis like eczema, psoriasis, bacterial dermatitis, acne, herpes, rosacea, it also helps prevent hair loss and it aids in the recovery of skin diseases.^{[9][unreliable source?]}
Laurel oil is an effective cleanser, antibiotic,^[10] anti-fungal^[11] and anti-itching agent. Compounds extracted from Laurus Nobilis have recently been identified as an inhibitor of human melanoma (skin cancer) cell proliferation,^[12] as well as inhibiting other human tumor cell growths such as amelanotic melanoma, renal cell adenocarcinoma, and breast cancer cell lines.^[13]
Olive oil has been known for generations not only for its healing qualities but also as a natural, deep penetration moisturizer, regenerating skin cells and softening the tissue.

Wikipedia

It's facing a crisis, just like everything else in Syria.  Traditionally in the Middle East, and to be honest here in Southern Europe as well, soap making is a trade that is passed down through generation.  If your father made soap, so would you.  The artisan framework is strong and traditions long.  With so many people fleeing the country, along with them go the knowledge and the skill to make this soap!  Not only are the artisans fleeing, but the farmers who raise the crops and make the oil!

It's not 'just soap'.  It's so much more than that.

I've recently found someplace to import some Laurel Berry oil, as it's hard to get and a tad expensive.  I'll be documenting my process and making my own Aleppo soap, the proceeds of which will be donated to help support refugees.