The story behind Sawyer Farm NH Solid Shampoo
Monica Sawyer started making solid shampoo from pure saponated coconut oil, distilled water and pure essential oils after her son, Joseph, came home from college outraged. A class discussion centering around the amount of plastic waste produced each year left him with the desire to want to “do something.” 550 million plastic shampoo bottles alone end up in landfills and the oceans every year.
The idea of making solid shampoo came as a result of Joseph’s passion and the shared experience of the Sawyer Family. They had started using a commercially produced product after Joseph was diagnosed with cancer at age 11. Not only were they looking for products without chemicals that were easy to travel with, the simplicity of using a shampoo bar made showering easier given. In addition after Monica’s own battle with cancer in 2014, she became a yoga instructor as a means of moving forward in her life. During her training she became aware of the benefits of essential oils and started researching their use. She has not only enjoyed perfecting the recipe but also finding the family’s personal favorite blends of oils.
The properties of essential oils
The use of essential oils has been documented for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians prized oils for their beauty enhancing, medicinal, spiritual, aromatic and therapeutic value. In ancient Greece Hippocrates studied the medicinal influence of over 300 plants and advised: “the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.” In ancient India records from doctors dating back to 2000 BC include the administering of cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, coriander and sandalwood oils. During the Black Plaque aromatic oils were the best available antiseptics.
More recently the effect of essential oils has been studied with regard to their impact on emotional states. Aromatic essential oils are highly concentrated essences derived from plants. Used today in aromatherapy and fragrances, they have a long history in natural healing. Our sense of smell is more sensitive and immediate than any of our other senses, which is why aromas can be so evocative.
Carrier oils and other ingredients in out products
Some of our soaps are made with 100% coconut oil and others are made with a blend of coconut oil, olive oil and hemp seed oil.
Coconut oil is high in lauric acid which helps produce a rich, wonderful lather and stable bubbles. Coconut oil also produces a harder shampoo bar which lasts longer and has great cleansing qualities.
Olive oil is very conditioning and high in antioxidants and vitamin E and polyphenols. Olive oil has less cleansing qualities and produces less lather and a softer bar so is always used in a blend.
Hemp Seed oil is highly conditioning and high in vitamins A and E and fatty acids which heal and soothe the scalp. It is also always used in a blend due to its low lathering capabilities
Mango Butter is conditioning, moisturizing and adds hardness and creamy lather. It is also high in vitamin A, C and antioxidants.
Cocoa Butter is conditioning, moisturizing, adds hardness and has a stable rich lather. It is high in vitamin E and other antioxidants.
Organic beeswax hydrates, conditions, soothes and calms the skin.
Manuka Honey also has healing and antimicrobial properties.