7 Plants You Can Use As Soap

 Plants you can use as soap

Maybe you're looking for an eco-friendly and economical alternative to store-bought soap. Or maybe you want to learn how to maintain hygiene while camping or in a survival situation. Either way, you can benefit from learning about the many plants you can use as soap.

Using plants for purification is not new. Historians have found evidence that ancient Egyptians bathed in soaps made from plants along with animal and vegetable oils. Native Americans also used a variety of plants as soap when washing. And the good news is that making soap with plants is surprisingly easy. The secret is a naturally occurring compound called saponin found in many plants, especially waxy cuticles.

If you chop up plants that contain saponin and rub the pieces on your hands with water, you can create a lather. This article will share common saponin-containing plants in the United States and how to use them as soap substitutes.

1. Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)

This perennial is native to Europe, but has naturalized in many parts of North America, especially in zones 3 through 8. It blooms from July to September with five-petalled pink or white flowers.

The leaves, flowers and roots of the soapwort plant can be used as soap. You can rub the leaves and roots of the plant with a little water on your hands to create a green lather. Or you can boil the plant parts in water, strain out the debris, allow the liquid to cool, and use a soapy solution to wash off.

2. Buffaloberry (Shepherdia rotundifolia and Shepherdia canadensis)

Buffalo plant also known as soapberry contains high amount of saponin. Native Americans also used the plant for medicinal purposes and to make tea. You can make a mild natural soap by boiling the stems and berries in water or rubbing them on your hands with a small amount of water to make a mild, soapy solution.

3. Soapweed Yucca (Yuca glauca)

In the United States, there are dozens of yucca plants, primarily in the plains and western regions. Although you can make a thick soap from the root of the yucca plant, all you need to do is cut one leaf at a time.

Be aware of the sharp edges of the leaf and cut off the tip of the leaf as your first step. Next, chop the leaf into thin strips. Now, rub the fibers between your hands with some water to make soap.

4. Soaproot Plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum)

The waveleaf soap plant, also known as amole or soap root, is commonly found in California and Oregon. It has long, wavy-edged leaves and star-shaped flowers on a long stem. However, the flowers bloom only once a year and only at night. After you dig up the bulb, you need to remove the brown fibers that cover it. What's left looks like a white onion.

Peel off a few layers of the white bulb and rub them into your hands with a little water to create a rich lather.

5. Clematis (clematis)

Yes, this climbing plant popular among home flower gardeners is also on our list. Both the leaves and flowers of clematis have a high concentration of saponins that are useful in soaps, all you have to do is crush the leaves or flowers and boil them to make a soapy solution or you can add some water and rub it on your hands.

6. Ceanothus (Ceanothus Americanus)

An evergreen shrub that blooms in spring, Cyanothus (also known as soap bush and mountain lilac) is also great for making soap.

7. Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

The horse chestnut tree, a member of the soapberry family, produces shiny brown seeds that are high in saponins. The tree, which has attractive pink or red flowers, thrives in zones 3 to 8.

To make soap, remove the green husk of the seed and soak it overnight to soften it. Then, chop or crush the seeds with a spoon. Strain the debris to create a soapy solution.