Implantation

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Origin

Historical origin

In Morocco, we find a so-called "saponifère" clay used for centuries and probably since the Middle Ages (12th and 13th centuries) by all the populations of North Africa and even in certain regions of the Middle East. This clay is called Ghassoul and this term has its origin in the verb "Rassala" which means to wash in Arabic. The exploitation of this clay is done in underground galleries.

Geographic origin

Ghassoul marketed currently comes from the only deposits known in the world, located on the edge of the Middle Atlas in the Moulouya Valley 200 km from the city of Fez in Morocco.

Geological origin

The Ghassoul is of tertiary and lacustrine sedimentary formation. The first analysis was done by Darmour in 1843, but it was not until 1923 that Barthoux described the deposit, followed by Jeannette. Barthoux attributes this deposit to the Jurassic and places this clay in a marly complex with gypsum with irregular banks of limestone. Then the geological origin of this clay was widely discussed by Yavamovitch, Frey and AL between 1936 and 1937 which conclude its origin of the hydration of liquid volcanic materials. But for Lapparent (1937), its geological origin comes from the alteration of unstable volcanic rocks. In 1977, N.Trauth noted the existence of a relationship between Ghassoul and other rocks of mineralogical composition, which enabled him, in his study, to explain the genesis of Ghassoul clay minerals caused by a progressive transformation. pre-existing minerals in a medium rich in magnesium and silica.

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TRADITION

Ghassoul and tradition

Ghassoul has been part of the customs of Morocco and Tunisia for decades. Under its name Ghassoul in Morocco and Tfal in Tunisia, it remains, today, the essential element of all the rituals of the hammam (the bath).

If the women expect the black soap and the horsehair glove, they never forget the Ghassoul in their kits. It is part of the rites and traditions of beauty care in these countries.

In Morocco and Tunisia, Ghassoul is sold in its natural state, and recipes for preparation and use are passed from mother to daughter. Ghassoul is commonly mixed with orange blossom water, rose water and / or essential oils, etc. to exalt its perfume and increase its hydrant qualities.

It is important to remember that among the offerings made to the bride, Ghassoul finds its place with henna and milk.

Ghassoul is also used orally by pregnant women against gastric acidity.

Ghassoul is distributed in all regions of Morocco.

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COMPOSITION

Composition and physicochemical characteristics

Ghassoul and an all-natural mineral product, consisting mainly of stevensite, is a clayey ore based on magnesium silicate.

Optical microscope appearance

Under the optical microscope the prepared Ghassoul appears as a gray end and on this background of amorphous, colloidal appearance, show fine glitter. No trace of plant debris was revealed.

Electron microscopic appearance

The electron microscopic examination shows that the structure of the Ghassoul crystal lattice has great similarities with the other minerals in the stevensite and magnesium montmorillonite groups.

Density

The density of crude Ghassoul determined at the pycnometer is about 1.7.

Water content

The water content is determined at 180 ° by weighing to constant weight, the loss of weight by drying is then about 13%.

Ash content

The total ash resulting from the complete calcination at 600 ° C. in a porcelain crucible containing the sample already dried at 180 ° C. is approximately 18%.

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CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

The silica content expressed in silicate represents 55% of Ghassoul.

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X-RAY ANALYSIS

X-ray diffraction analysis

This analysis shows us the similarities between stévenisites of different origins and Ghassoul as demonstrated by the following results:

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THERMAL ANALYSIS

Differential thermal analysis

The differential thermal analysis curve performed with a rise in temperature of 10 ° / min reveals a significant endothermic phenomenon between 120 ° and 160 ° which corresponds to the departure of the inter follicular water of montmorillonites. The recrystallization minerals obtained after heating at 1000 ° C. and 1200 ° C. are:

* Cristobalite

* The enstatite

The differential thermal analysis curve and the recrystallization minerals obtained are typical of a very magnesian montmorillonite.

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THE PROPERTIES OF GHASSOUL

Can we give Ghassoul saponiferous properties?

The literature quoting Ghassoul attributes saponiferous and foaming properties to it. The term saponifer means "which contains soaps". Ghassoul once mixed with water gives a kind of sludge that has detergent and degreasing properties thanks to a strong cation exchange capacity. Ghassoul acts only by absorption, it has no effect aggression of hair, skin or mucous membranes.

Absorbency with respect to water

The Ghassoul can absorb 1.66 times its weight of water, that means that 15 g of Ghassoul can absorb 25 ml of water. The Ghassoul thus soaked with water swells and then occupies the volume of 35 ml. This ability of Ghassoul to absorb water is considerable compared to other clays. Clays used in brick and pottery, for example, absorb only 0.4 times their weight of water.

Ion exchange power

The study of the ion exchange properties which has been carried out on the stevensite, Ghassoul and hectorite shows a very great Ghassoul cation exchange capacity of the order of 75 meq / 100g whereas it is only 37 meq / 100g for stevensite. In the table which follows, is indicated in meq / 100g the distribution of the different exchangeable cations in% in Ghassoul:

Absorption phenomenon

A comparative study was made with respect to animal black (charcoal) to see its absorbency with a solution of methylene blue. And according to this study it can be said that the Ghassoul has a higher absorption power than that of the animal black. In fact 1g of Ghassoul is able to absorb 80 mg of methylene blue while 1g of black animal absorbs only 20 mg. The absorptive power of Ghassoul is 4 times higher than that of animal black.

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ANALYTICAL SHEET

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CERTIFICATION

Regular control of Ghassoul

To ensure that Ghassoul does not contain any micro-organism or parasite that may be inconvenient for humans, a mineralogical and chemical control is regularly performed by experts to ensure compliance of Ghassoul standards established by the government Moroccan and published in the official journal.

Certification

The company holds the CTFA and ECOCERT standards that govern the cosmetics sector.

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Production center

The company owns a factory in the city of Fez with an area of ​​10,000 square meters including 2000 covered.
Once extracted from the galleries, the Ghassoul is sorted on site for the first time and then sent to the factories of Fès where it undergoes various treatments (sorting, washing, drying, molding ...) in order to obtain a purified product of very high quality. . The Ghassoul thus obtained is conditioned according to its destination.

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Toba

Toba is the name we give to Morocco at the motte Ghassoul.
Once extracted from the underground galleries, these clumps are sorted and selected a first time. They are then sent to the production center where they undergo a second sorting. At the end of this stage, we keep only the best clumps according to a very precise quality specification.
Ghassoul in its "Toba" form is sold mainly in Morocco and Tunisia.

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M'siek (platelets)

Obtained from raw Ghassoul (Ghassoul clods) by washing with water repeatedly to remove all impurities.
Ghassoul thus cleaned is spread on large flat surfaces, then dried in the sun in summer, or in ovens in winter.
Ghassoul in the form of platelets is called "M'siek" in Morocco and is sold in the state.

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Powder

Ghassoul powder is produced from Ghassoul platelet.
Ghassoul platelet is crushed to obtain Ghassoul in the form of granules or fine powder of very high quality for the manufacture of cosmetics, dermatological and other.

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Range of products

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In the natural state

Ghassoul is used in its natural form

For hair care

Thanks to its foaming qualities and its safety characteristics, Ghassoul is used for hair care. It acts as a natural shampoo by cleaning and degreasing the hair and scalp without damaging the skin and keratin fiber. Mix the Ghassoul with lukewarm water to obtain a kind of soft paste (a form of mud), apply this mud to wet hair from the roots to the tips, massage for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. The Ghassoul leaves the hair shiny and supple.

For body care

Ghassoul diluted in warm water forms a muddy mud to be applied as a poultice all over the body, let dry for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. The Ghassoul eliminates impurities and dead cells, so you get a soft and silky skin.

In masks

Ghassoul is used as a mask for the face. Mix Ghassoul with lukewarm water to obtain a smooth paste (Ghassoul mud). Apply this paste on the face, let dry 10 to 15 min and rinse. The Ghassoul thus used absorbs the exeding fat on the skin, eliminates impurities and especially blackheads.

Ghassoul and sensitive skin

Ghassoul is very recommended for sensitive skin because it offers a very gentle wash without surfactants, 100% natural. Cosmetic products based on chemicals and active ingredients can irritate sensitive skin. The use of Ghassoul helps to protect the natural protective film of the skin and the sebaceous glands. Ghassoul is hypoalergenic, it is suitable for all skin types.

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Receipts

Some recipes :

Ghassoul used in its natural state can be mixed with other natural ingredients to perfume the texture of the body, face and hair.
Here are some examples of ingredients that can be mixed with Ghassoul :

* Orange blossom water (for the perfume)
* Argan oil
* Rose water
* Essential oils

Examples of ready-made recipes :

Cleansing mask for face and body :

* 50 ml of Ghassoul
* 10 ml of honey
* 10 ml of lemon juice
* a few drops of milk
* a few drops of sweet almond oil
- Mix all the ingredients to obtain a soft and harmonious paw.
- Apply this paw on the face and / or the body, allow to dry for 15 min and rinse abundantly.
Your skin is soft, satiny and scented.

Mask for the scalp :

* 50 ml of Ghassoul powder
* 1 egg yolk
* Add a few drops of warm water to the Ghasssoul, mixing to obtain a soft dough, add the egg yolk .
- Apply this preparation to your runners starting with the scalp and spreading it to the ends, leave to dry for 15 minutes and rinse.
- This will give you soft, shiny hair.

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Cosmetic

Ghassoul is used as a basic ingredient in the cosmetics industry for the manufacture of:

1- shampoos
2- Bath and shower gels
3- Soaps
4- Creams for the face and body
It should be noted that a product can be called "Ghassoul" only if it contains 20% of Ghassoul at least.

Dermatological use

Ghassoul is used as a basic ingredient in the manufacture of various dermatological products such as creams for acne.

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Pharmaceutical use

Ghassoul is used as a basic ingredient for the manufacture of medicines.
Ghassoul is also commonly used orally by pregnant women against gastric acidity.

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Use for thalassotherapy / SPA:

Ghassoul is used by the best thalassotherapy and SPA centers in the world.
The scrubs of the body from Ghassoul give a softer skin.
Under the effect of scrub Ghassoul eliminates dead cells and refines the skin.
Thus the Ghassoul exfoliation leaves the skin clean, clean and exceptionally smooth.
Mud baths at Ghassoul are also offered in thalassotherapy and SPA centers.

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Industrial

Industrial Use

Ghassoul is used as raw material for the manufacture of ceramics.

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