Soaps from Afghanistan help troubled land

Not shiny stones, but beautiful, glistening soaps handmade by Arghand

I've been wanting to tell you about the line of handmade soaps from Afghanistan that we carry, and today seems like the perfect time to do it.

The story behind these products is full of courage, excitement, danger and joy. In the midst of war-torn Afghanistan, a co-operative of farmers is attempting to create a livelihood and a legacy by breaking free from the opium trade. I found out about these products by stumbling upon an article written by Arghand's founder, Sarah Chayes. Read this and get a glimpse of why I want to support these farmers:

http://bostonreview.net/BR32.2/chayes.php

Arghand's slogan is "Reclaiming Afghanistan with Blossoms, not Bullets". Please pray for them! They tell their own tale best, so visit www.arghand.org for the full picture.

Arghand's products are made from botanical ingredients local to the Kandahar region of Afghanistan. Each soap has its signature fragrance, but none of them is overpowering. I'm including Arghand's own descriptions in quotes, with my own notes, if any, following:


~Amandine (back ordered): "(with palm and coconut oils, apricot kernel oils, sweet almond, cold pressed wild almond and almond extract). The oil of the tiny wild almonds, which grow in the highlands above Kandahar, gives this soap its character. A flat white oval, lightly colored with a swirl of wild almond butter."  
$7.50 per 4 oz bar


~Anisette: "(with palm and coconut oils, cold pressed sweet almond, anise seed and pomegranate seed oils, steeped licorice root). Licorice and alkanet roots, both wild vegetable dyes gathered locally, give this soap its distinctive coloring. Round and flat, yellow and lapis lazuli." Has a light, uplifting licorice-y scent. Very attractive!
$7.50 per 4 oz bar


~Desert Fields: "(with palm and coconut oils, cold pressed wild pistachio, pomegranate and castor oils, steeped Artemisia persica leaves and walnut hulls). Irregular, tawny-brown. Perhaps Arghand's best cleanser." A scent reminiscent of eucalyptus.  
$7.50 per 4 oz bar


~Elixir of Artemis: "(with palm and coconut oils, cold pressed wild almond, hemp, pomegranate seed and castor oils, and Artemisia cina essential oil). The heady aroma of this autumn-flowering herb gives this soap a festive note. A touch of ground turmeric root adds a joyous yellow hue. Flat, irregular, golden." 
$7.50 per 4 oz bar


~Kandahar Rose: "(with palm and coconut oils, cold pressed sweet almond and pomegranate seed oils, and essential oil of Rosa damascena). So ancient is the tradition of distilling the essence of the Rosa damascena in Kandahar,that the very word for rose is "flower-water flower." Egg-shaped, white with a swirl of pink." A very subtle fragrance, but with that intoxicating pull of the rose.
$7.50 per 4 oz bar


~Mountain Herb: "(with palm and coconut oils, cold pressed hemp, black cumin, pomegranate seed and castor oils, and essential oil of wild mint). This soap is pyramid shaped and pale green." Yes, cumin in soap! Try it!
$7.50 per 4 oz bar


~Pomegranate: "(with palm and coconut oils, cold pressed sweet almond and pomegranate oils, pomegranate concentrate). This soap, fragrance-free and rich in pomegranate seed oil, is especially suited to sensitive skin. Round, deep red."
$7.50 per 4 oz bar


~Pebbles sampler: "All pebble sets contain an assortment of five different sets." Great for gifting. $12.00 per 8 oz. sampler.

The Living Room is starting with just Arghand's line of soaps. We hope to expand into their various lotions and balms, as well. Sarah Chayes' description of their new skin creams sounds beyond delightful!

NOTE: Prices shown are current as of posting this entry. Subject to change without notice.