12 Plants You Can Use as Natural Soap

Long before the invention of commercial soaps, humans turned to nature for cleansing solutions. Plants rich in saponins, naturally occurring compounds with soap-like properties, have been used for millennia across cultures for personal hygiene and cleaning.

Archaeological evidence suggests that ancient Babylonians were making soap-like substances as early as 2800 BCE, while Egyptians used plant-based cleansers by 1500 BCE.¹

Today, over 100 plant families are known to contain saponin-rich species. These plants not only offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic soaps but also often possess additional benefits such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Here are 12 plants that can be used as natural soap alternatives.

1. Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)

Soapwort, true to its name, is a powerhouse when it comes to natural cleansing. This pretty pink-flowered perennial has been used for centuries to wash delicate fabrics and even as a gentle skin cleanser.

Its roots and leaves contain high levels of saponins, making it an effective and mild soap substitute.

How to use soapwort as soap:

1. Chop up fresh or dried soapwort roots and leaves
2. Boil in water for 15-20 minutes
3. Strain the liquid and let it cool
4. Use the resulting soapy water for washing

2. Yucca (Yucca spp.)

Yucca plants, with their striking sword-like leaves, are more than just ornamental. Native Americans have long used various yucca species, particularly Yucca glauca (soapweed yucca), as a natural soap and shampoo.

The roots of yucca plants are rich in saponins, providing excellent cleansing properties.

How to use yucca as soap:

1. Dig up yucca roots and remove the outer layer
2. Chop the root into small pieces
3. Pound or grind the pieces to release the saponins
4. Rub the mashed root directly on wet skin or clothes, or mix with water to create a soapy solution

3. Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

The horse chestnut tree, known for its spiky fruit casings, harbors a secret cleanser within its seeds. These seeds, or “conkers,” contain saponins that can be extracted and used as a natural soap.

However, it’s important to note that horse chestnuts are toxic if ingested, so they should only be used externally.

How to use horse chestnuts as soap:

1. Collect ripe horse chestnuts and remove them from their casings
2. Grate or grind the chestnuts into a fine powder
3. Mix the powder with warm water to create a paste
4. Use the paste as you would regular soap, then rinse thoroughly

4. Indian Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi)

Soapberries, also known as soap nuts, are the fruit of trees belonging to the Sapindus genus. These small, round berries are rich in saponins, making them a highly effective natural cleanser.

They’ve been used for centuries in many parts of Asia for laundry and personal hygiene.

How to use soap berries as soap:

1. Place 4-5 soap berries in a small cloth bag
2. Soak the bag in warm water for a few minutes
3. Squeeze the bag to release the saponins
4. Use the resulting soapy water for washing

5. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

Aloe vera, famous for its soothing properties, can also be used as a gentle, natural soap. The gel inside aloe leaves contains saponins along with other beneficial compounds that can cleanse and moisturize the skin.

It’s particularly good for those with sensitive or dry skin.

How to use aloe vera as soap:

1. Cut open an aloe leaf and scoop out the gel
2. Blend the gel until smooth
3. Apply directly to wet skin and lather
4. Rinse off with water

6. Sisal (Agave sisalana)

Sisal, a species of agave plant, is known for its strong fibers used in making rope and twine. But the plant’s leaves also contain saponins that make it an excellent natural soap.

Indigenous communities in Mexico and Central America have long used sisal for cleaning.

How to use sisal as soap:

1. Cut a mature sisal leaf at the base
2. Pound the leaf to release the juices
3. Rub the crushed leaf directly on wet skin or clothes
4. Rinse thoroughly with water

7. Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima)

The buffalo gourd, also known as coyote gourd, is a wild plant native to the southwestern United States. Its large roots contain saponins and have been used by Native American tribes as a soap substitute.

The plant’s strong odor gives it the nickname “stinking gourd,” but don’t let that deter you from its cleansing power.

How to use buffalo gourd as soap:

1. Dig up the plant’s large taproot
2. Grate or chop the root into small pieces
3. Soak the pieces in water to release the saponins
4. Use the resulting soapy water for washing

8. Soapbark Tree (Quillaja saponaria)

The soapbark tree, native to Chile, has been used for centuries as a natural soap and medicine. Its bark is exceptionally high in saponins, making it one of the most effective plant-based soaps available.

Soapbark extract is even used in some modern natural cleaning products and vaccines as an emulsifier.

How to use soapbark as soap:

1. Strip pieces of bark from the tree (or purchase dried bark)
2. Soak the bark in warm water for several hours
3. Strain the liquid and discard the bark pieces
4. Use the saponin-rich liquid as a soap or shampoo

9. Mountain Lilac (Ceanothus spp.)

Mountain lilac, a genus of shrubs native to North America, offers more than just beautiful blooms. Many species of Ceanothus contain saponins in their flowers and fruits, making them useful as a natural soap.

Native American tribes have long used these plants for cleansing.

How to use mountain lilac as soap:

1. Collect flowers or fruits from the plant
2. Crush the plant material in your hands
3. Add a small amount of water and rub to create lather
4. Use the lather for washing hands or body

10. Soaproot (Chlorogalum pomeridianum)

Soaproot, also known as amole, is a plant native to western North America. Its bulb is rich in saponins and was widely used by Native American tribes for washing and fish poisoning.

The fibrous outer layers of the bulb can even be used as a natural scrubber.

How to use soaproot as soap:

1. Dig up the bulb of the plant
2. Remove the fibrous outer layers
3. Crush or grate the inner part of the bulb
4. Mix with water to create a soapy lather

11. Latherwort (Trifolium willdenovii)

Latherwort, a species of clover native to western North America, earned its name from its soap-like properties. The plant contains saponins that create a lather when rubbed with water.

Native American tribes used latherwort for washing and as a hair treatment.

How to use latherwort as soap:

1. Collect the above-ground parts of the plant
2. Crush or chop the plant material
3. Rub between wet hands to create lather
4. Use the lather for washing

12. Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Bracken fern, a common fern found worldwide, might surprise you with its cleansing abilities. The young fiddleheads and rhizomes of this plant contain saponins.

While it’s not as potent as some other plants on this list, it can be used as a mild soap in a pinch.

How to use bracken fern as soap:

1. Collect young fiddleheads or dig up rhizomes
2. Crush or chop the plant material
3. Rub between wet hands to create a light lather
4. Use for gentle cleansing

These plant-based soaps offer a natural alternative to commercial products, connecting us with traditional wisdom and the bounty of nature. While they may not be as convenient as a bar of store-bought soap, they provide a unique, eco-friendly cleansing experience.

Remember to always test these natural soaps on a small area first, as some people may be sensitive to certain plant compounds.

Source:

1. U.S. Forest Service

Nancy Maffia

Author & Editor |  + postsBio

Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.

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