I've never been able to buy Dr Bronner's soap, precisely because of all the wacko stuff on the label.  Shallow of me, I guess, but growing up in dirty-hippieville, I learned that going the distance on the dirty-hippie thing is the quickest way to not make an impression on less environmentally-conscious folks, so I decided to be a clean hippie. :)  

Maybe I thought that something about Dr Bronner's soap actually produced the lack of hygiene of said hippies?  May or may not actually be true, I guess, since it isn't Bronner's fault if they simply don't use his soap as much as they need to...

I started an organic food co-op 1970 and we sold his soap.  Reading the label made me want to take a shower, pure genius.  

Some of our dirty hippie clients were living in vans and tents in the woods, and did not have running water.

I've been a fan of Dr. Bronner's soap for years -- partly because it's multipurpose (soap, shampoo, and a zesty shaving cream), and partly because it's a staple product that I can buy in bulk.  It easy to transfer between containers, which means it makes traveling a lot less complicated -- a small bottle takes care of several product needs.  (tip:  if you do travel with it, store the bottle in a plastic ziplock bag, just in case)

As for the packaging verbiage, I've read it and thought it was interesting (if a little wacky).  Strange or not, it's hard for me not to be moved by his sincerity and his obvious good intentions.

Randy

Being an old hippie/punk rocker/whatever, I've used the soap. It's very harsh, it dries out your skin. I didn't notice so much when I was younger, but somewhere in my 30's it became apparent.

The label used to say that you could use it as a contraceptive. Never tried that.

I've been using the soap for years. Love the tingle and smells. The day I started using it as a shampoo, my dandruff disappeared. And being biodegradeable, it's great for camping. Tried using it as toothpaste--following the label's recommendation--but only once; surprisingly, it tasted like soap.  

The label: entertaining. Good for Dr. Bronner and his mission to save the world.

You stole my line - although I was going to go for:

"...was committed to an Illinois mental institution where he remained until eventually escaping and hitchhiking to California..."

....where all escaped mental patients end up.