The history of the loofah
See the entire story http://www.spectatornews.com/showcase/2007/03/15/the-history-of-the-loofah/The loofah.
Most people use it
for showering. It’s generally used for exfoliating dead skin and can
also be used as a sponge, said Tom Colgan, owner of Loofah by the Inch. But where did it originate?
“Many people think that loofah comes from the sea,”Loofah, also spelled “luffa or loofa,” is a vegetable. It’s considered a gourd, and is related to the
pumpkin and squash. The gourd is believed to have originated in Asia, and Egyptians used it as a sponge. According to an article written by biologist David
Erickson and published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences in the United States of America, the loofah traveled to
America about 10,000 years ago and was considered an “Old World” plant,
meaning it is native to Asia and Africa.
People who settled in America brought the plant to
domesticate it. It’s considered a “utility”
species and was one of the first plants to be domesticated. Radiocarbon
dating has shown the gourd has been in America for over 9,000 years.
It’s now used mostly as sponges. However, its gourd was
used as filters on ships prior to World War II. It has also been used to stuff pillows and for
insulation. Although it originated in Asia, it is now a very
important part of South American agriculture. It’s called the “poor man’s kitchen and bath sponge,”
because it can scrub the kitchen and is used as a bathing tool.
The Spectator,
The official student newspaper of
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.
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Cool info!
I've cut slices of luffa and made fun and exfoliating glycerine soap.
These cuties are available for purchase.
Online sale $5.00 each with mailing cost
In person sales $5.00 each.
Best deal- 4 for $20
and receive a free soap cupcake!
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