In Norse mythology, Balder’s death is an omen Ragnarök, the apocalypse, is close. His tragic death also inspires the hope that there will be a new world after Ragnarök, however.

Olive-, coconut, and almond oils, shea- and cocoa butter, blueberries from Vesterålen, essential oils of lavender and peppermint, pigment and rosemary extract. Handmade in Vesterålen. This soap contains no artificial preservatives.

The blueberry plant, vaccinium caesariense, is a small perennial shrub that withers during winter.  It can grow up to 30 years old, and has numerous green, triangular and upright stems that grow up to 60 centimeters long. Its leaves are flat, oval, with jagged edges. Its berries, which usually mature as July gives way to August, are spherical and blue. Its namesake color comes from a layer of wax protecting the berries from drying up.

The blueberry is one of Norway’s most common wild plants, and can be found in almost every corner of the nation. It mostly grows in birch and pine forests, and also in areas where other plants do not survive because of low nutrition in the ground. Blueberry is incredibly popular as an ingredient in juice, jam, and many, many dishes. Scientists have discovered the blueberry contains a  lot of antioxidants, in addition to vitamin C, tannin, glycolic acid, flavonoids, carotene, iron, and magnesium. Blueberry was commonly used to help with digestion, and its decoction used to treat inflammations in the mouth or throat.

Today, we know blueberry is very beneficial in treating eye disorders. The berry’s flavonoids helps with the circulation of blood, and the many antioxidants aid in the treatment of various eye disorders and diseases. Blueberries can even assist in the treatment of diabetes since their contents lower blood sugar, and even help with knotted veins, brittle blood vessels, and hemorrhoids due to their stabilizing effect on the walls of blood vessels. If used prior to surgery, blueberries can reduce the risk of hemorrhaging. Finally, the anthocyanidin in blueberries make thrombocytes, or platelets, less stick and thus reducing the risk of blood clots.

Balder, the mild and good-natured god was the obvious choice for our blueberry soap since it is equally mild and easy to like. The soap contains a cleansing peppermint, making it an excellent choice for anyone having a hard time taking care of their skin.

According to the Prose Edda, Balder is the fair son of Odin and Frigg, husband to Nanna and father to Forsete, and he lives in the hall of Breidablik. Despite his good nature, helpfulness and soft speech, Balder is plagued by nightmares and visions of his death. When his mother Frigg learns of these visions, she travels far and wide to make every living thing swear not to harm Balder. Only the timid mistletoe was exempt from swearing this oath, for it was such a small thing. The gods then entertain themselves by shooting Balder with all manners of things, seeing as they cannot harm him.

Jealous of Balder’s reputation and good nature, Loke schemes against him. He tricks Balder’s blind brother Hod to shoot Balder with a bow and arrow made from mistletoe. Catastrophe strikes, and Odin’s son is slain by his own brother.

Another sibling then rides to Hel, the realm of the dead, to ask for Balder’s life back if all the world would weep for him. The Æsir succeed, all but for an old jötunn woman who would only cry dry tears for Balder, for he never helped her. This woman was Loke in disguise, and thus he condemned Balder to eternity in Hel.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Almond oil

• Shea butter

• Cocoa butter

• Blueberries from Vesterålen

• Lavender essential oil

• Peppermint essential oil

• Color pigments

• Rosemary extract

• The soap contains no artificial preservatives

OLEA EUROPAEA FRUIT OIL, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS OIL, COCOS NUCIFERA OIL, THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTER, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA HERB OIL, MENTHA ARVENSIS HERB OIL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL, LINALOOL, CI 77007