Evidence supporting the use of: Castile Soap
For the health condition: Scratches and Abrasions
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Castile soap, a vegetable-based soap traditionally made from olive oil, has been used for centuries as a gentle cleanser for skin. Its use for cleaning scratches and abrasions is primarily based on tradition rather than rigorous scientific validation. Historically, mild soaps like Castile have been recommended for cleansing minor wounds because they help remove dirt and debris without the harshness of more caustic cleansers. The main rationale is that gentle cleansing reduces the risk of infection and promotes healing by keeping the wound clean while minimizing irritation to the surrounding tissue.
However, there is limited direct scientific evidence evaluating Castile soap specifically for wound care. Some medical guidelines suggest that mild soap and water can be used to clean superficial wounds, but they do not endorse Castile soap by name. A few studies have compared soap and water to saline for wound irrigation, with mixed results regarding infection rates, but these have not focused on Castile soap in particular. Overall, the evidence supporting Castile soap for scratches and abrasions is mostly based on its long-standing use as a gentle cleanser and its generally recognized safety profile, rather than robust clinical studies demonstrating efficacy for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Scratches and Abrasions
aloe verabayberry
beeswax
bisabolol
black walnut
chamomile
turmeric
dyer’s woad root
iodine
Japanese sophora
lauric acid
mucin
protease
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
zinc
parthenium
chickweed
paederia foetida
lilac
yarrow
moss
oriental arborvitae
tartarian aster
camphor oil
cleavers
wood betony
white oak
melaleuca alternifolia
geranium
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
acacia
Agrimony
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Anserina
Anemone
Aquilegia formosa
Allantoin
Alkanet
Acemannan
Abuta
Alkanna
Bee Propolis
Babchi
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Black spruce
Blackthorn
Bleeding Heart
Bridges' Penstemon
Black-Eyed Susan
Blackbrush
Brazillian peppertree
Bisabolene
Bloodroot
Benzoin
Begonia fimbristipula
Black Poplar
Bletilla
Barbary matrimony vine
Bush Monkey Flower
Babassu
Black root
Bittersweet
Calochortus
Comfrey
Candleberry
Calotropis gigantea
Cattail
Columbine
Cornflower
Common Thatching grass
Common Zinnia
Cynoglossum grande
Cedar
Campylandra fimbriata
Campsiandra angustifolia
Cranesbill
Chinese Thoroughwax
Carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Castile Soap
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Copaiba Oil
Calyptridium umbellatum
Dragon's Blood
Devil's Club
Dwarf Nettle
Davilla rugosa
Deerbrush
Elephant Vine
European hazel
Emu Oil
Elkweed
Eupatorium
Elemi
Polyvinyl alcohol
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Other health conditions supported by Castile Soap
AbrasionsAcne
Bites and Stings
Boils
Cuts
Eczema
Insect Repellant
Poison Ivy or Oak
Scratches and Abrasions
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)