Granny's Pine Tar Soap

Pine tar soap has historically been used as soothing treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis; it is also said to relieve itching caused by bug bites. With the mosquito season upon us, this is reason enough to keep this soap around. But what is it? Pine tar is a substance that has been used for centuries. It has a large variety of uses but here at Ten Acre Woods it is the primary ingredient in our Granny's Pine Tar soap. You may have seen it and wondered what pine tar soap is, and why it’s used. Pine tar soap has a long history. Its main ingredient, pine tar, is used in a variety of applications. Pine tar is a sticky substance that results from burning the stumps of pine trees. The use of pine tar originates in Scandinavia. It was used a preservative to protect wood from the harsh winter conditions as well as on the bottoms of Nordic skis. Pine tar became an important export from the American colonies because of the huge pine forests that were cleared as the country developed. Ropes and rigging on ships were sealed with pine tar to prevent rotting from the harsh conditions and exposure to sea water. British sailors were known as “tar-heels” for this reason. Currently, pine tar is used in veterinary medicine to treat a variety of conditions for cattle and chickens. It is used on horses for their hooves. It is used in medicinal applications as a treatment for various skin conditions as well. So you can see that pine tar has a wide variety of applications— from maritime uses, medicinal uses, to the production of soap. So What are the Benefits? Pine tar soap is a natural soap which has long been credited for its treatment of skin conditions, plus the treatment of dandruff. It is said to have antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities and is useful to soothe the symptoms of poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Pine tar soap has also been used to sooth skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis; it relieves the itching caused by bug bites. Pine tar is an additive to some shampoos and is used to treat the inflammation and itching of the scalp from dandruff. Pine tar soap and shampoo have also been said to be effective in soothing psoriasis and eczema, easing inflammation of the body, and easing the itching associated with bug bites. Pine tar has long been associated with handcrafted, organic, and natural soap-making. Finally, pine tar is an all-natural substance that does no harm to the environment.