Teach Soap

Has anybody used the herb Soapwort?? I've been reading alot about it lately. My daughter planted some cause she liked the flowers (its like a ground cover. I've read its used for cleaning and maybe as an additive for soap. Folks here seem to like herbs and natural ingrediance in their soap. Any of you folks out there use it???

Don't quote me on this, but I read somewhere that the saponins from this plant are poisonous to fish.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

then we won't wash fish Honestly Im reading on the web that it's used to heal skin problems.

I remember hearing about the saponins being toxic to fish, too, but I can't recall where I heard it.

I've found sites that say soapwort is used to heal skin problems, and sites that say it's toxic and should never be taken internally, and sites that say you should take it internally to help with coughs. I guess if you drink it and die you stop coughing?

Anyway, I'd look for some good, solid technical infomation, since there's so much conflicting info - and hold off using it until you find a good source. Since the FDA regs prohibit healing claims anyway, I'm not sure what you could say about it that wouldn't be a violation.

If you do find a source like that, I'd love to take a peek at it.

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this is more an experiment for my own use. I know better than to make it for the general public. Don't want to get into trouble. Im kinda getting into the uses of native plants. Our great grandparents didn't have a CVS on every corner like we do. And so had to know what plants did what. I guess I'll learn one plant at a time.

Well, I'd love to learn from what you find out. Keep us posted on the experments!

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http://www.magichandsworkshop.com
http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

I plan to add soapwort and lambs ears to my herb garden this year . You'll never guess what their useing lambs ears for... I;ll let you know what I figure out in the fall.

I love the thought of using home-grown herbs from the garden in my soap, but so far have only stuck to the "usuals": lavender, rosemary and chamomile... I'm interested to hear what you're hear what you're going to do with the lamb's ears! I have read that they were used as bandages during the civil war.

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Kim

I bought a rosemary plant today. We'll see if it survives the Palm Springs heat.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Yes, I grow it and use it. I find it grows slowly, and it took several tries before I worked out what conditions it likes.

Not for healing, but as part of my experimental herb garden. It is the root that "lathers". Very light and lacey - I make a decoction of the dried root (which is a bit like strong herb tea). It takes a LOT of root to get a strong brew!

The water feels slightly slippery and is often used by people who want to avoid all processed products for cleansing hair and skin.

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Goldenearthgirl

Soapwort is sometimes used in quilt museums to clean delicate, antique fabric & lace.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.