Holy Lama Soap
We found these soaps randomly in an airport shop in Kochin, called the number on the packaging, booked a flight, and discovered an inspiring women-owned enterprise that makes innovative natural products.
*Photos & video taken @ Dolores Park.
Extracting
Natural Oils
Ingredients are sourced from the local neighborhoods and brought to the Holy Lama laboratories, where the oils are extracted without the use of chemicals. The oils are then carefully mixed together and cooled into a large block of soap. Small blocks are cut out, and then stamped into round finished bars.
The soaps are packaged in compostable protective wrapping, and then put inside the palm shells, which are hand-sewn shut. This last part blew our minds.
Kewra
*smells like baby powder, a warm summer's evening, and brown sugar...
|
Ingredient |
How it’s made into an ingredient |
Why it’s good |
|
|
Coconut OilOil extracted from coconuts. |
Extracted from the kernel/meat of matured coconut, harvested from the coconut palm. |
Excellent skin moisturizer |
|
Neem Seed OilVegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of Neem – an evergreen tree |
Cold pressing (crushing) the seed kernel. It can also be obtained through solvent extraction. |
Fights skin diseases, acne, inflammations, and fevers. Natural antiseptic |
|
PalmarosaSpecies of grass similar to lemon-grass |
Extraction through steam distillation of the dried grass harvested before it flowers. |
Rose aroma. Natural antifungal and insect repellent |
|
VetiverPerennial grass native to India |
The roots are dug up, cleaned and dried. Before steam distillation, the roots are chopped and soaked in water. |
Deep, smoky fragrance |
|
Sugandha MantriGreen plant with large, shiny leaves |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of roots. |
Aromatherapy – used in perfumes |
|
Ylang YlangFast growing tree of the custard-apple family |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of freshly picked flowers |
Aromatherapy – used in perfumes |
|
PatchouliHerb of the mint family with small pale pink-white flowers |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of flower leaves |
Strong scent used in perfumes. Treats headaches |
|
OrangeCitrus fruit – essential oil |
Produced by the glands inside the rind of the fruit – extracted through steam distillation as a by-product of orange juice production. |
Citrus aroma |
 |
LyeSodium hydroxide – oldest chemical known to man – made from natural materials |
Chemical reaction between soda, known as sodium carbonate, and lime, calcium hydroxide. (All naturally occurring) |
Used in all soaps in process called saponification |
|
GeraniumSpecies of flowering plant |
The leaves and stalks are used for extraction, and the oil is obtained through steam distillation. |
Very aromatic - floral, with mint and apple Good for oily skin |
|
GalangalBlue ginger – does not have the traditional taste |
Extraction through steam distillation of the roots |
Aroma – citrusy, piny, earthy with hints of cedar. Antiseptic |
|
Ingredient |
How it’s made into an ingredient |
Why it’s good |
|
|
|
Coconut OilOil extracted from coconuts. |
Extracted from the kernel/meat of matured coconut, harvested from the coconut palm. |
Excellent skin moisturizer |
|
Chaulmoogra OilTree with brown, velvety, round fruit |
Cold press the seeds |
Treats skin diseases, antimicrobial |
|
Clove OilAromatic dried flower buds of a tree in Myrtaceae family |
Extraction through water distillation of buds, the leaves; and steam distillation of stem |
Natural antiseptic, antimicrobial |
|
Geranium OilSpecies of flowering plant |
The leaves and stalks are used for extraction, and the oil is obtained through steam distillation. |
Very aromatic - floral, with mint and apple Good for oily skin |
|
Orange OilCitrus fruit – essential oil |
Produced by the glands inside the rind of the fruit – extracted through steam distillation as a by-product of orange juice production.
|
Citrus aroma |
|
LyeSodium hydroxide – oldest chemical known to man – made from natural materials |
Chemical reaction between soda, known as sodium carbonate, and lime, calcium hydroxide. (All naturally occurring) |
Used in all soaps in process called saponification |
|
Vetiver OilPerennial grass native to India |
The roots are dug up, cleaned and dried. Before steam distillation, the roots are chopped and soaked in water. |
Deep, smoky fragrance |
|
Ingredient |
How it’s made into an ingredient |
Why it’s good |
|
|
|
Coconut OilOil extracted from coconuts. |
Extracted from the kernel/meat of matured coconut, harvested from the coconut palm. |
Excellent skin moisturizer |
|
|
Clove bud OilAromatic dried flower buds of a tree in Myrtaceae family |
Extraction through water distillation of flower buds |
Natural antiseptic, antimicrobial |
|
LyeSodium hydroxide – oldest chemical known to man – made from natural materials |
Chemical reaction between soda, known as sodium carbonate, and lime, calcium hydroxide. (All naturally occurring) |
Used in all soaps in process called saponification |
|
Bergamot OilYellow orange-like fruit from trees with star-shaped flowers. |
The rind of both ripe and unripe fruit is used to extract the oil by expression. |
Fights oily skin, acne. Used in aromatherapy. Antibiotic, antiseptic. |
|
Lavender OilPurple flowers used in cooking and aromatherapy. |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of flowering tops. |
Great aroma. Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, fights acne. |
|
Geranium OilSpecies of flowering plant |
The leaves and stalks are used for extraction, and the oil is obtained through steam distillation. |
Very aromatic - floral, with mint and apple Good for oily skin |
|
|
PatchouliHerb of the mint family with small pale pink-white flowers |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of flower leaves |
Strong scent used in perfumes. Treats headaches |
|
|
OrangeCitrus fruit – essential oil |
Produced by the glands inside the rind of the fruit – extracted through steam distillation as a by-product of orange juice production. |
Citrus aroma |
|
ThymeHerb used in cooking |
Extraction through steam distillation |
Deodorant, antiseptic |
|
Ingredient |
How it’s made into an ingredient |
Why it’s good |
|
|
|
Coconut OilOil extracted from coconuts. |
Extracted from the kernel/meat of matured coconut, harvested from the coconut palm. |
Excellent skin moisturizer |
|
Chaulmoogra OilTree with brown, velvety, round fruit |
Cold press the seeds |
Treats skin disease |
|
Castor OilVegetable oil obtained from the castor bean |
Cold pressing the beans to extract oil |
Treats skin problems; anti-inflammatory |
|
|
VetiverPerennial grass native to India |
The roots are dug up, cleaned and dried. Before steam distillation, the roots are chopped and soaked in water. |
Deep, smoky fragrance |
|
TurmericRoot of plant in the ginger family – forms deep yellow powder |
Extracted through condensed steam distillation |
Antimicrobial, anti-aging, improves skin, fights acne |
|
CedarwoodSimilar to redwood, almost like a juniper |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of wood chips and sawdust. |
Great aroma, improves oily skin, antiseptic. |
|
|
PatchouliHerb of the mint family with small pale pink-white flowers |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of flower leaves |
Strong scent used in perfumes. Treats headaches |
|
LyeSodium hydroxide – oldest chemical known to man – made from natural materials |
Chemical reaction between soda, known as sodium carbonate, and lime, calcium hydroxide. (All naturally occurring) |
Used in all soaps in process called saponification |
|
AjowanSmall seed-like fruit similar to that of bishop’s weed. The plant is similar to parsley. |
The seeds are crushed and the oil is extracted through steam distillation. |
A natural cleanser and antiseptic. Smells similarly to thyme but more aromatic. |
 |
CypriolWild herb that acts as a weed to other plants. |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of the roots. |
Great aroma - woodsy |
|
CalamusRed aquatic plant that grows on the margins of lakes. |
Extraction of oil through steam distillation of fresh or unpeeled dried roots. |
Aromatic stimulant. Antiseptic and antimicrobial. |
Holy Lama
Holy Lama is an all-women enterprise that generates employment to disadvantaged women. Based in South Kalamassery, Kerala, the organizers of the company schedule buses to pick the women up from their neighboring villages and provide a great working environment that is safe, clean, and modern.
People
Commercial soap = phthalates, parabens, triclosan (fda.gov)
Holy Lama = coconut oil, turmeric, sandalwood
Planet
No chemical waste in manufacturing = cleaner water and soil
Packaging from palm can be reused and then composted
Producers
Holy Lama = employment to disadvantaged women
Natural Ingredients = no exposure to toxic chemicals during manufacturing
Send @ Smile
When we get enough smiles this area will become an interactive showcase of submitted smiles. We will also send each producer a bound book of smiles for them to share with the people behind your products. If you would like to share your smile, send a photo with you and your product to smiles@janum.com.
