Does anyone else use Soapwort?

**Shell** · June 3rd, 2008, 10:35 AM

I have only used the roots. I'd do a test batch on wool or something if you're going to use leaves and flowers, as green hair doesn't sound nice!

**Flaxen** · June 3rd, 2008, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Dianyla

I tried using indian herbs (amla, shikakai) and they are darkening. If you have darker brown hair, that's not a problem. I have lighter brown hair with some blonde streaks that got temporarily dulled/darkened by the Indian herbs.

Soapwort has not shown to be darkening at all.

Ditto to all of that, except all of my hair is lighter. That being said, I like the way Indian herbs make my hair feel, better, and I haven't given up hope of finding a recipe that doesn't stain.

I used a very simple soapwort recipe:
2 T. soapwort root
1 C boiling water poured over it.
Allow to cool, and strain. I found that the liquid cleansed better if I dunked my hair in it still dry.

With some Indian herb mixes, I can clarify my hair, but soapwort was never that strong. I may have noticed enhanced red tones, too.

I purchased the root at two different places, and one came through with stem and flower pieces in it. Mountain Rose Herbs was far superior, being all root pieces, and the steeped liquid with that root had more cleansing power.

**julya** · June 4th, 2008, 03:47 PM

I'm so glad that I noticed this thread as I have been planning on buying some Indian herbs. My hair color is about the same as your is Flaxen, and I don't want to darken it. I'll give your recipe a try once I find some soapwort.

**Flaxen** · June 4th, 2008, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by julya

I'm so glad that I noticed this thread as I have been planning on buying some Indian herbs. My hair color is about the same as your is Flaxen, and I don't want to darken it. I'll give your recipe a try once I find some soapwort.

Hair twin!

Yes, be careful with Indian herbs. If you want to try aritha alone, that won't darken. It's actually used to clean linens, saris, pots, pans, and all kinds of stuff.

**julya** · June 8th, 2008, 12:35 AM

Thank you for the suggestion of aritha Flaxen! I will look for it when I make it to the Indian grocery store later this month. How do you use aritha? As a tea? Do you like it better than soapwort?

TIA and sorry about the whole list of questions.

**mira-chan** · June 8th, 2008, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by julya

Thank you for the suggestion of aritha Flaxen! I will look for it when I make it to the Indian grocery store later this month. How do you use aritha? As a tea? Do you like it better than soapwort?

TIA and sorry about the whole list of questions.

You can use aritha as a powder in mud form, or in more of a dilute tea. Depending on the strength of wash you want. The more powder the more oil it will get out but also the more drying it is.

If you find it whole you can use it in the hair gravy recipe instead of soapwart, leaving the other herbs the same (marshmallow and white willow bark don't stain). Use 2 to 5 berries to a cup for this.

**Shell** · June 8th, 2008, 08:09 AM

I use aritha with amla, and I'm loving it. I don't see any reason why you couldn't use it with western conditioning herbs though. I use a powdered form of aritha in a runny paste. When I use western herbs it tends to be in whole dried flowers/leaves/roots form, which I make into a tea, and then strain. I might use the aritha paste, then follow with a strained tea of conditioning herbs. If you have the whole nuts of aritha (often called soapnuts), you could just brew them together, then strain and use.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

**julya** · June 8th, 2008, 12:36 PM

I'm excited to try the aritha, thanks for giving the common name and techniques for using it also. I will report back after I find it and try it.

**Flaxen** · June 8th, 2008, 05:25 PM

Just as a clarification since this thread has wandered (Around here? Never!

)

Soapwort root is what we started out talking about, and
soapnut = aritha/reetha

They are two completely different plants.

ETA: Oops, forgot the other question. I like aritha better than soapwort, and I use it as a thin paste with other herbs. I just haven't come up with a recipe yet that cleans just right without also staining my hair darker a little bit.