Sapindus Mukorossi: (Soapberry Family)
Horsechestnut: (Soapberry Family)
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releases a saponin that makes a natural surfactant (soap)
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horsechestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum), a common local street tree
Recipe 1:
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historically used in France and Switzerland for whitening hemp, flax, silk and wool: 20 conkers steeped in 6L soft, cold water.
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stir well at first, then let it settle; strain or pour off clear.
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Linen washed in this liquid, then rinsed in clear running water, looks light sky-blue.
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Takes spots out of both linen and wool, and never damages or injures the cloth.
Recipe 2:
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chop seeds into small pieces and infusing them in hot water.
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use for washing the body, clothes etc.
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main drawback is a lingering odour of horse chestnuts (try adding lavender)
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seeds contains variable amounts of saponins, up to a maximum of 10%
Recipe 3:
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recent issue of "living woods" there is an article about how to make horse chestnut soap.
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Basically, wet some leaves and squeeze them. Done.
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Saponins don't keep as well as lye soap. (freeze as ice cubes)
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They poison fish: their molecular structure is similar to many hormones.
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also a blue fluorescent dye
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petrochemical detergents > soap > saponins.
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for washing skin, hair, and natural fabrics, the weakness is actually a good thing
Other species:
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other local saponin plants: Soapwort (Saponaria officinali), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and many of the Campions (Silene spp), Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) roots, Soap Lily (Chlorogalum pomeridianum), Yucca ssp, Philadelphus lewisii
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Soaproot (Chenopodium californicum ); dry then grate the root for top quality soap flakes
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Mountain lilac ( Ceanothus species ); handful of blossoms or fruits, add water, and rub
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BC streams with suds are not necessarily polluted; can be from natural saponin plants
Non-Saponin:
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Ash (Lye) + optionally, Grease (oil)
