Olive oil soap (Castile soap) typically has a pH level between 8 and 10. Because it is a true soap, it is inherently alkaline, which allows it to effectively lift away dirt and oils.
While that bar is gentle on the skin, it packs a punch where your hair's chemistry is concerned. Our scalp and hair thrive at a slightly acidic pH-about 4.5 to 5.5. Olive oil soap, however, is highly alkaline, usually with a pH around 9 or 10.
The Amish use traditionally handcrafted, all-natural bar soaps. These soaps are generally made using a cold-process method and rely on simple, plant-based or natural ingredients like coconut oil, palm oil, tallow, shea butter, and water. Some variations also incorporate activated charcoal, bentonite clay, or essential oils.
Olive oil interventions resulted in a significantly more pronounced decrease in CRP (MD: −0.64 mg/L, (95% CI −0.96 to −0.31), p < 0.0001, I2 = 66%) as compared to the respective controls (Figure 3).
There are three main enemies of extra virgin olive oil: light, heat, and oxygen. Any of these factors could affect the olive oil during production (and post-production), causing it to have some kind of sensorial defects.
In the Bible, olive oil represents divine blessing, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and prosperity. It was an essential staple in the ancient Near East and served four primary functions: sacred consecration, physical healing, daily cosmetics, and culinary use.
Drinking olive oil at night is typically done to aid digestion, stabilize blood sugar, and reduce overnight inflammation. While it aligns well with your body's natural nightly repair processes, there is no scientific proof that it works better at night compared to consuming it at other times of the day.
There is no single "magic" food. Instead, experts recommend whole, nutrient-dense foods packed with antioxidants and healthy fats. The most highly recommended options for targeting inflammation operate as a team:
Next up is oleic acid, the main fatty acid in olive oil. It makes up about 73% of the oil itself, and it's also heart-healthy. “Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat that has been shown to help to lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol and reduce risks of heart disease and stroke,” Zumpano says.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
We first heard about this unconventional remedy nearly two decades ago. It has become a source of considerable debate. Many readers swear that a bar of soap under the bottom sheet near the legs works amazingly well to prevent nighttime cramps. Others insist that any benefit is due to a placebo effect.
Amish men generally do not use condoms. Because the Amish view having children as a blessing from God, the use of artificial contraception is typically forbidden by their religious doctrine.
Soaps made with EVOO have a creamy lather and are rich in moisturizing properties and antioxidants. This Olive Oil is particularly gentle on the skin, making it the best choice for luxurious, nourishing soaps. Extra Virgin Olive Oil for soap making is the best choice.
If you have too much oil, you can end up with soap bars that are greasy and soft. These may never fully harden into a good bar of soap. If you use too much lye, some lye remains in your bar, and it can be irritating to the skin. If your soap is lye-heavy, it means it's more alkaline than normal soap.
Do I need FDA approval to sell homemade soap? No, not if your soap qualifies for the FDA exemption. If it's made from alkali salts of fatty acids and sold as soap with no cosmetic or therapeutic claims, it falls under CPSC oversight.
Common signs of body inflammation include chronic fatigue, persistent joint pain or stiffness, digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea, unexplained weight changes, and frequent skin issues. While acute inflammation causes pain, heat, redness, and swelling, chronic cases can present more subtly, often including brain fog, depression, or frequent infections.
Key Anti-Inflammatory Wins for Your Workday
Nutritionists and medical experts do not rank a single "absolute worst" food for inflammation, but processed meats (like bacon, hot dogs, and salami) and sugar-sweetened beverages (like sodas and energy drinks) are widely considered the top culprits.
Best Foods for Sleep
Dr. Gundry exclusively recommends extra virgin, first cold-pressed olive oil that is exceptionally high in polyphenols, which give the oil a robust, peppery flavor. He is famous for advising a daily "shot" of polyphenol-rich oil and specifically brands his own signature formula, Gundry MD Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil.
To target belly fat, consume 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) daily to boost metabolism and increase satiety. Because olive oil is calorie-dense, you must swap it for other fats in your diet rather than just adding it on top.
The #1 cause of death in Italy is cardiovascular disease (diseases of the circulatory system). This includes conditions like ischemic heart disease (such as heart attacks) and cerebrovascular diseases (like strokes). Together, these conditions are responsible for roughly 30% to 40% of all recorded deaths in the country.
Italians maintain a healthy weight despite eating pasta regularly due to smaller portion control, cooking pasta al dente, and eating it as part of a balanced, minimally processed diet. Rather than relying on restrictive dieting, they balance meals with vegetables and healthy fats, and their lifestyle naturally supports calorie balance through daily walking.
Most spend just five to ten minutes under the water. Many choose to shower after returning from work (41%), with others opting for a morning rinse (25%) or a bedtime cleanse (28%), reflecting their love of freshness always.