2018 Catalog. including organic cold-pressed olive oil, organic palm oil and organic coconut oil. handcrafted with natural plant-based materials.

Transcription

1 2018 Catalog specializing in handmade soap with natural plant-based materials including botanical perfumes, aromatherapeutic essential oils, skin nourishing oils and locally grown produce and herbs All forest karma soaps are: made from scratch with high quality oils including organic cold-pressed olive oil,. handcrafted with natural plant-based materials. Please patch test before use: wash a small patch of skin on the inside of your elbow wait 24 hours do not use if a reaction occurs. cold-process soaps that contain glycerin, a natural humectant that draws moisture to the skin. exceptionally moisturizing and mild. long-lasting with a generous lather. But please do not leave the soap sitting in water -use a soap saver. produced with ecology in mind in Somerville Massachusetts. Forest Karma is always researching new methods and materials with a keen awareness of the impact of our decisions on our planet, both ecology and socially. A percentage of profits from the sale of forest karma soap go to support the creation of urban greenspaces, conservation of forests and teaching eco-literacy & sustainable living practices. soap@forestkarma.com 2

2 Pure Top Quality Oils All oils are not created equal. When you start to read the fine print on the labels and decipher the meanings of the terms that are used by oil producers, it can get very confusing. Here is our attempt to describe the special oils that are used in our soap: Almost all Forest Karma soaps contain sustainably grown organic cold pressed olive oil from a small olive farm in California. Celestial Cacao soap and Dr. Bellwood s Shampoos contain organic cold pressed castor oil. Cocoa Pumpkin Spice contains expeller pressed pumpkin seed oil from Austria. Primrose & Pink Grapefruit contains 100% virgin organic evening primrose oil. Special Blend Avocado soap contains cold pressed avocado oil and organic first press jojoba (and since we are getting technical please note that jojoba isn t actually an oil it is a wax ester). Sunflower Dirt Goddess, Sunflower Feel Good, and Sunflower Wake up the Earth contain organic expeller pressed sunflower oil. What does all this mean? Expeller pressing is a chemical-free mechanical process that extracts oil from seeds and nuts. There is no external heat applied during expeller pressing the pressing process itself creates friction and heat. First pressing is the term for the first expeller pressing of the nuts or seeds. Extra virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil are first press oils. Cold pressing is the term for expeller pressing in which the environment is heat-controlled to keep temperatures below 120 degrees F. The important thing to note is that expeller pressed oils and that includes first press and cold press oils are a healthier alternative to chemically extracted oils (which are usually extracted with hexane) that are typically used in soap. For example, pomace olive oil is often used in soap and is chemically extracted from the paste left over from the first press of the olives. Remember: What you put on your skin will be absorbed into your body, so think about what you put on your body! 3

3 Sustainably Grown Oils Palm oil has recently come under scrutiny thanks to efforts of conservation organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, Earth Island Institute and Greenpeace. Palm oil is an ingredient in many consumer products, from cookies to cosmetics. It is commonly used in soap because it is cheaper than many other oils and it contributes to a beautiful bar with a really nice lather. According to Earth Island Institute, the demand for palm oil has been the single largest cause of tropical deforestation in recent years. That s because in order to make space for palm oil plantations, huge areas of tropical forest are burned or clearcut. Destroyed gone forever. And all of the plants and animals that rely on the forest including orangutans, tigers, elephants and rhinos and countless lesser known endangered species are slowly disappearing. Indonesia is the world s largest producer of palm oil--with about 15 million hectares of palm oil plantations and, not coincidentally, the third largest emitter of carbon (after China and the US). The vast majority of the Indonesia s carbon emissions come from deforestation, which releases carbon stored in trees and ancient peatland swamps into the atmosphere. To put it succinctly: when you purchase palm oil (or a product that contains palm oil) you are unwittingly contributing to tropical deforestation, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Forest Karma has been unable to find a source of palm oil that is certified sustainable, so we are taking a three-pronged approach: Solution #1: Use organic palm oil Organic palm oil is a better alternative to conventionally grown palm oil because it is grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. When a bar calls for palm oil, we use organic palm oil. However, there is no certification process at present that assures us that the organic palm oil comes from a plantation that employs truly sustainable farming practices and is not sited on misappropriated land. Solution #2: Eliminate palm oil and replace it with other oils But what do you replace it with? It is very difficult to find oils that are guaranteed to be sustainably grown. And the properties of palm oil are such that it contributes to the perfect bar of soap. If you eliminate palm oil, there goes your perfect bar of soap! For a few bars Celestial Cacao Original, Celestial Cacao Gently Exfoliating and Dr. Bellwood s Starry Crown Shampoo we have successfully eliminated palm oil and come up with a formula that works beautifully. Solution #3: Grow our own oil We have begun to test grow two crops Styrian pumpkin and Peredovik sunflower that produce seeds that can be pressed for oil. We are farming at Elliston Farm in Weston Massachusetts. Our next step is to purchase an oilseed press to extract the oil from the seeds. Stay tuned. Styrian Pumpkins: The Future of Sustainable Soap Production in New England? 4

4 $6.50 each $25 for 5 HAND MILLED SOAP WITH ORGANIC COLD PRESSED OLIVE OIL, ORGANIC PALM OIL, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL, Basil Soap Extra special locally grown ingredient: fresh basil Hand Milled Local Harvest Collection Hand & Body Soap AND FRESH VEGETABLES AND HERBS Fennel Soap Extra special locally grown ingredient: fresh fennel. Also contains essential oil of fennel. Lavender Spice Soap Extra special locally grown ingredient: fresh lavender antibacterial. Also contains essential oil of lavender and cassia. Lemon Soap Extra special locally grown ingredient: fresh lemon balm - antiseptic and balsamic. Also contains organic lemon zest & essential oils of lemon and lemongrass. Mojito Mint Soap Extra special locally grown ingredient: fresh mint. Also contains essential oil of peppermint and spearmint. Moon Magic Mugwort Soap Extra special locally grown ingredient: fresh mugwort stimulates dreaming. Also contains a hint of essential of patchouli. Rosemary Soap Extra special locally grown ingredient: fresh rosemary. Also contains essential oil of rosemary. $6.50 each $27 for 5 Hand Milled Local Harvest Collection Complexion Soap $6.50 each $27 for 5 HAND MILLED SOAP WITH ORGANIC COLD PRESSED OLIVE OIL, ORGANIC PALM OIL, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL, AND FRESH VEGETABLES Carrot Complexion Soap Extra special ingredient: fresh carrot rich in vitamin A, an antioxidant that strengthens and protects the skin good for all skin types particularly beneficial for normal skin Cucumber Complexion Soap Extra special ingredient: fresh cucumber abundant in amino and organic acids that soothe the skin and tighten the pores good for all skin types particularly beneficial for dry or mature skin Tomato Complexion Soap Extra special ingredient: fresh tomato naturally acidic and therefore astringent and cleansing to the pores good for all skin types particularly beneficial for oily or combination skin How to Use: Create a lather with water and gently wash your face and throat. Rinse, rinse, rinse thoroughly with warm water. These soaps will keep for some period of time but are most effective if used immediately. 5

5 Local Harvest Collection FEATURING LOCALLY GROWN HERBS, VEGETABLES, OATS & HONEY Calendula Skin Care $6.50 Oatmilk & Honeybee $6.50 Go Oatmilk $6.50 Welcome $6.50 Calendula Skin Care extra special ingredients: calendula oil and petals healing & baby mild Oat Milk and Honeybee with organic oat milk and organic oats extra special ingredient: honey skin softening and smoothing Maine Oats New England Honey Go Oatmilk with organic oat milk and organic oats skin softening and smoothing Maine Oats Welcome with essential oil of lavender New England s favorite soap always reliable for cleaning and killing germs The story of Welcome Soap A few years ago, I picked up a booklet at the Cambridge Recycling Center called Cambridge on the Cutting Edge: Innovators and Inventions. I learned that the soapmaking industry in the US started in Cambridge and a soap by the name of Welcome Soap was produced starting in 1883 at Curtis Davis & Company s factory on Broadway in Cambridge just a few blocks from my studio. The soap was heavily promoted as New England s Favorite Soap and Welcome Soap was popular throughout the region. The original Welcome Soap, I believe, was a borax laundry soap. I envisioned a modern version as an all-purpose soap for cleaning body and hands. I decided to make it a lavender soap because lavender has traditionally been the favorite herb for cleansing (the word lavender is derived from the Latin lavare, to wash). I liked the image on the original package: two hands shaking in a gesture of welcome. I asked a nature artist friend if she would transform the image to something that evokes forests, trees and welcome. She drew a beautiful image of two black-capped chickadees the state bird of Massachusetts greeting each other on the branch of a tree. And thus Welcome Soap is once again New England s Favorite Soap 6

6 Earth, Seed & Flower earthy & rosy, with notes of patchouli and rose geranium and a trio of seeds New England Pine extra special ingredient: Atlantic sea kelp enlivening & edible, with notes of cypress, black spruce and Scotch pine Quinta Essentia Collection FEATURING BOTANICAL PERFUMES COMPOSED OF PLANT EXTRACTS AND ESSENTIAL OILS WRAPPED IN VINTAGE & RECLAIMED PAPER Earth, Seed & Flower $8.50 each or $24 for 3 New England Pine $8.50 each or $24 for 3 Temple of Green $8.50 each or $24 for 3 Temple of Green extra special ingredient: organic green tea Persian Spice uplifting aromatherapy blend of 7 essential oils with notes of cardamom, coriander & rose geranium refreshing & mossy, with notes of lime, clary sage & vetiver Precious Essentials Collection FEATURING AROMATHERAPEUTIC ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS Persian Spice $7.50 Wind in the Trees III $7.50 Scentual $7.50 Scentual harmonizing aromatherapy blend of 8 essential oils with notes of patchouli, coriander and cassia Wind in the Trees relaxing aromatherapy blend of 7 essential oils with notes of tagetes, ylang ylang and Bulgarian lavender 7

7 Essential Flax with organic food grade flax oil & flax seeds Cocoa Pumpkin Spice extra special ingredient: pumpkin seed oil helps repair flaky, itchy, or rough skin very emollient Nourish the Body Collection FEATURING SKIN NOURISHING OILS AND BUTTERS Essential Flax $7.50 Cocoa Pumpkin Spice $8 Special Blend Avocado $7 Special Blend Avocado with essential oils of lavender, litsea, lemongrass and benzoin extra special ingredients: avocado oil and organic jojoba healing and regenerating Celestial Cacao original $7.50 Celestial Cacao gently exfoliating $7.50 organic coconut oil and castor oil Celestial Cacao original extra special ingredients: cocoa butter and organic cacao beans richly lathering and emollient Celestial Cacao gently exfoliating extra special ingredients: cocoa butter and organic cacao hulls richly lathering and emollient 8

8 Dr. Bellwood s Starry Crown Shampoo herbal with essential oils of rosemary and spearmint Shampoo & Shave Collection FOR SHAMPOOING AND SHAVING Dr. Bellwood s Starry Crown Shampoo Herbal $7 Dr. Bellwood s Starry Crown Shampoo Tea Tree $7 Dr. Bellwood s Starry Crown Shampoo tea tree with essential oil of tea tree Dr. Bellwood s Starry Crown Shampoo Local Canola $7 organic coconut oil and castor oil Dr. Bellwood s Starry Crown Shampoo local canola with non-gmo canola oil and pure essential oils Vermont Canola Oil Dr. Bellwood s Bay Rum Shaving & Body $7.50 Dr. Bellwood s Honeybee s Wax Shaving & Body $7.50 organic cold pressed olive oil and organic coconut oil Dr. Bellwood s Bay Rum Shaving & Body with cocoa butter, glycerin and pure essential oils Dr. Bellwood s Honeybee s Wax Shaving & Body with beeswax, cocoa butter and non-gmo canola oil Vermont Canola Oil 9

9 Sunflower Dirt Goddess with essential oils of lavender, basil, thyme & marjoram Sunflower Feel Good with locally-grown chamomile, comfrey & lavender and pure essential oils Sunflower Collection FEATURING ORGANIC SUNFLOWER OIL Sunflower Dirt Goddess $7.50 Sunflower Feel Good $8 Sunflower Wake Up the Earth $7.50 organic sunflower oil, Sunflower Wake Up the Earth with essential oils of tea tree, peppermint & rosemary 10

10 Forest Karma Gift Packages IN A CLEAR CERTIFIED COMPOSTABLE ECO CLEAR BAG WITH GIFT TAG Hand Milled Local Harvest Collection Gift Package 5 soaps of your choice from Hand Milled Local Harvest Collection choose from Basil, Carrot, Lavender Spice, Lemon, Mojito Mint, Moon Magic Mugwort, Rosemary and Tomato Nourish the Body Collection Gift Package 2 soaps of your choice from Nourish the Body Collection choose from Cocoa Pumpkin Spice, Essential Flax and Special Blend Avocado Precious Essentials Collection Gift Package 2 soaps Wind in the Trees and Persian Spice Quinta Essentia Collection Gift Package 3 soaps Earth, Seed & Flower, New England Pine and Temple of Green Soap & Chocolate Gift Package 2 soaps Celestial Cacao original & Celestial Cacao gently exfoliating and a Taza Chocolate mexicano Your Choice 3-6 soap Gift Package with small WrapSack You choose the soap and Wrapsack is Small Wrapsack without soap $27 $16-$17 $16 $25 $21 $4 $5.50 Eco Clear Bags are made from plants (unlike most clear bags, which are usually made from petroleum-derived plastic). They are: certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute more expensive than plastic but a better option Taza Chocolate mexicanos are 100% organic Mexican-style stone ground chocolate handcrafted in Somerville, Massachusetts. The cacao is Direct Trade, meaning Taza works directly with their cacao growers and compensates them fairly for their cacao beans. WrapSacks are reusable hand-dyed cotton gift bags. Each sack has a tag with a unique tracking number which allows gift givers and recipients to follow its journey: names of givers and recipients; where the sack has traveled and when; how far the sack has traveled. If you want to track your sack, register online at and send it on its way. This catalog was updated 14 December Prices are subject to change without notice. 11