Arkane Btq

Happy Canada day to all of our Canadian customers! 🇨🇦🌹

⚡Fast Fact Friday: Activated Charcoal⚡

For many years activated charcoal has been a popular item around the world due to it's abilities to adsorb. Let's see what else we can find out:
🌹
- It has antibacterial, anti-fungal & antiseptic properties. Due to it's properties it is used in ambulances & hospitals all over the world.
- It revolutionized the sugar industry when it was discovered it could be used as a whitening agent to whiten sugar.
- It's earliest recorded use was by the Egyptians who discovered it was a preservative & even used it for embalming.
- Activated charcoal was used as a neutralizer in face masks during WW1
- It can be made from several different materials including wood, coal, coconut shells, nut shells, peat & agricultural residues.
- During the 18th century charred barrels would be used to transport water on long sea voyages as they kept water clean and prevented the barrels from rotting.

So many great uses! What's your favourite way to use activated charcoal?

I am STILL obsessed with these beauties! From the detail to the colour & even the scent...these are easily in my top 3 favourite soaps I have made on this journey so far!
🌹

⚡Fast Fact Friday: Cornflower⚡

This amazing flower is in the same family as sunflowers & daisies. Here's what else we learnt:

- Cornflowers are edible & have a spicy, clove-like flavour. They can be used in salads & teas.
- It is the national flower of both Estonia & Germany. It also symbolizes social liberalism throughout Europe.
- There is evidence in Greek mythology of a centaur named Chiron, who was a herbalist, using the blossoms to heal wounds from battles.
- Nicknamed 'Bachelor's Button' due to an old practice when men wore a cornflower in a buttonhole of their suit indicating they are in love or they were ready for courting.
- The Egyptians believed that cornflower had the power to resurrect the dead & was found in or around tombs.

Would you consider planting cornflower in your garden after learning these great facts about it?