Plants We Used to Use 4. Soapwort

As the name suggests, a gentle liquid soap can be obtained by boiling the chopped up roots or leaves of this plant. The resulting soap has been used to clean fabics (especially wool). A dilute solution is used, in some locations, on sensitive skins. Although the active ingredients of Soapwort are somewhat toxic, they are used in some parts of the world as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers can be employed in the preparation of tahini and halva. In the Middle East, soapwort extract has even been used to make beer with a good 'head'.