Five Plant Sources of Soap

Autumn has arrived in the UK and we have already had the first mists of the season. I love autumn and one of my favourite poems is about this abundant season.

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun…’

(From Ode to Autumn by John Keats)

It’s the time of year when all the trees are loaded with fruit and nuts and the hedgerows are bursting with berries. What has all this got to do with soap making you might ask? And no, I haven’t gone bonkers! There is method in my madness…

The horse chestnut trees are laden with chestnuts, also known as conkers. Chestnuts are highly concentrated in saponins, and this has prompted me to write about plants that can be used as soap.

In fact, there are several plants that can be used as soap because they are high in saponins, and you might have one or two growing in your garden. If not, you can go on a forage walk to collect some.

What are Saponins?

Saponins naturally occur in plants. The name comes from their ability to foam and lather in water. The latin word for soap is sapo. All plants contain some saponins and some plants have higher levels of saponins than others.

Saponins are obtained from different parts of plants such as flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, stem, bark, and roots.

Let’s look at five plants that can be used as soap that might be growing in your garden or in your local area.

Soapwort (Botanical Name: Saponaria officinalis)

One of the best plants that can be used as soap is called soapwort. In fact, the word saponins is derived from this plant. And it is probably the most well-known plant for creating a soapy lather.

Soapwort is a non-native perennial plant in the UK and it is a member of the Carnation (Caryophyllaceae) family. It produces clusters of pink flowers and has a sweet and delicate scent. It is commonly found in urban areas, and it often grows prolifically on waste land.

The leaves, flowers, and roots of the soapwort plant can be used as soap. They can be roughly chopped or placed whole in a litre of boiling water. Stir well to release the saponins and then strain and leave to cool before use. The solution can be used as a mild facial cleanser, and it can also be used to wash delicate fabrics.

Horse Chestnut (Botanical Name: Aesculus hippocastanum)

Horse chestnuts or conkers symbolise the arrival of autumn in the UK. I remember the excitement of collecting fallen conkers from amongst the leaves on my walk to and from school. There was nothing quite like the simple pleasure of games of conkers with friends.

Chestnuts or conkers are seeds that are protected by a spiky green case which must be carefully eased apart to release the shiny brown seeds.

The seeds can be soaked overnight in water to soften them and then they can be chopped with a knife or crushed with a spoon. Add boiling water to the mashed seeds. This will produce a milky solution. Strain the seeds out when it has cooled, and this can be used as a natural cleaning solution or for laundry.

Clematis (Botanical Name: Clematis)

Known as the Queen of climbers the clematis is a very popular garden plant. The plants produce masses of flowers in many different shapes, sizes, and colours. And the beauty of these plants is that it is possible to have flowers all year round with a carefully chosen selection of varieties.

You can collect both the foliage and the flowers as they have a high concentration of saponins. Add them to boiled water to produce a natural soapy solution which can be strained and used once it has cooled.

Gypsophilia (Botanical Name: Gypsophila paniculate)

Gypsophila is a herbaceous plant and like soapwort it is in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae. It is a popular inclusion in flower arrangements. It produces a mass of tiny white flowers that are like delicate little fairies dancing in the wind.

The roots of the gypsophilia are where the saponins can be found. The roots can be boiled in water and stirred until foam is produced. When the solution is cooled it can be strained and used as natural soap.

English Ivy (Botanical Name: Hedera helix)

English ivy is a rich source of saponin and as an evergreen it grows all year round. It can be invasive and if you have it in your garden it needs to be managed as it can quickly take over. Make sure you wear gloves because the sap can cause skin irritation. I found this out when clearing some ivy without gloves - my hands were itchy for quite a while afterwards even after giving them a good rinse with lots of soap and water.

You can have a go at making a natural laundry detergent with a basketful of freshly collected ivy leaves. Boil them in about a litre of water and then squeeze the leaves and strain before use.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Five plants that are rich in saponins and can be used as a natural source of soap. Pick one of the plants as a great one-off project to make the most natural soap that you can literally pick from nature!

If you are interested in joining one of my cold process soap making classes, please click here for further information.