Neem and Tulsi Soap: What It Is and How to Use It

In short: Neem and tulsi soap is a bar made with oils from neem and tulsi (holy basil), two of the best known plants in Indian tradition. Our Neem & Tulsi Handmade Vegan Soap (Yogi) is made by hand in Kerala on a virgin coconut oil base, with a fresh, herbal scent and a soft floral finish. It is 100% natural origin, vegan and SLS free, and it is the most reviewed soap in our range.

Neem and tulsi soap is a bar made with oils from two of the best known plants in Indian tradition: neem and tulsi, also called holy basil. Our Neem & Tulsi Handmade Vegan Soap (Yogi) is made by hand at our own factory in Kerala.

What are neem and tulsi?

Neem is a large evergreen tree that grows across India. Its seed oil has a strong, earthy, slightly nutty scent. Tulsi is a fragrant member of the basil family, grown in many Indian homes and courtyards. Both have been part of Ayurvedic tradition and daily bathing rituals in Kerala for generations.

What is in Neem & Tulsi soap?

The bar starts with a virgin coconut oil base. We blend in neem oil and tulsi (holy basil) oil, then round the scent off with spiked ginger lily, lavender, ylang ylang, geranium, patchouli, nagarmotha, orange, palmarosa and vetivert. The result is a fresh, herbal scent with a soft floral finish rather than the sharp smell some people expect from neem.

By our safety assessor's ISO 16128 calculation, the soap is 100% natural origin, water included. It is vegan and SLS free, and our products are registered with the Vegan Society. The full ingredient list is on the product page.

How is it made?

Every bar is made by hand at our factory in Kerala, India, by a family business that dates back to 1946. The factory is a government recognised women's enterprise where more than 80% of the workforce is women. Each 100g bar is packed in a shell moulded from fallen areca palm leaves, which the trees shed naturally. You can read more about how we work in Kerala.

How do you use Neem & Tulsi soap?

Wet the bar and your skin with warm water and work up a lather between your hands. Use it on hands and body, then rinse well. If you like to follow with a moisturiser, our Body Cream uses jojoba and geranium oils.

If you have not used the soap before, or you know you react to certain essential oils, try it on a small area first. Many people use it after yoga: see our post yoga routine.

How do you make the bar last?

Handmade soap lasts longest when it dries out between uses. Keep it on a draining soap dish, away from the stream of the shower, and let it dry fully. Cutting a bar in half and using one piece at a time also helps. See our guide on how to make a handmade soap bar last longer.

What other ways can you buy it?

Neem & Tulsi is part of our four soap gift set, is available in a pack of 12, and comes as a Miniature Set of twelve 20g bars, which is handy for guest rooms and travel. You can see every scent in our handmade soap collection.