Sunday, July 10, 2011

Soapwort




for Preparedness Challenge #16

and for the Barn Hop #19, too.

Visit her to read more interesting ways

to be prepared

and what's happening on other peoples homesteads!
~*~





The flower bed I have been refurbishing

is overrun with invasive Soapwort.

As I was pulling so many of these plants up,

I thought I should try making something with

them, just in case the need should ever arise,

I would know how to prepare and use it!

Soapwort can be made into a gentle washing aid

for delicate fabrics, shampoo and a healing wash

for skin with acne or rashes. It makes a

nice, gentle pet shampoo, too.




I pulled the sprouting plants up, roots and all and put them in the sink full of cold water to remove as much dirt and grit as possible. Then I put the entire batch in a large kettle and covered with water. I brought it to a boil and gently simmered the mass for 30 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon occasionally.





I removed and disgarded all the stems and

let it cool overnight (outside, as I wasn't

fond of the smell!) right in the covered pan.

The next day, I strained the liquid 3-4 times

thru a paper towel lined sieve, and

one more time thru a piece of white cotton.

I wanted to see if the greenish color would

stain the fabric, but it didn't.

This must be stored in the refridgerator,

use within one week.

~*~

Have any of you had experience with Soapwort?

I would love to hear about it!

~*~

"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."

"Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

"Psalm 51:3&7

7 comments:

Rebecca said...

Never heard of it! (Wonder if I have some growing in my yard????) Sounds like quite a bit of work - removing stems, etc....

Life In a Little House said...

Wow I have never heard of this sounds very interesting I hope it works well for you!! Love Heather

Camille said...

Nope...never had dealings with in Raeann! You are one creative lady! That seems like a lot to use in a week! Let us know how it goes. :)

Blessings to you!
Camille

MommySetFree said...

THIS IS WONDERFUL! This is my first introduction to soap wart. I am so excited to investigate more fully! You mentioned the smell; have you found it leaves a sent in the clothes? Do you find it comparable to other detergent you use? I will sapre you the other 100 questions I have on the tip of my brain and go look things up. :-) Thanks again!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Have you used the soapwort yet? If so, how did it work and for what purpose?

Sharon said...

Hello Raeann,

Before reading your post I saw some Soapwort plants and thought about purchasing them. Now I know how to use them I think I need to check it out again :)
Have a beautiful day in the Lord!

~Sharon

Oh, almost forgot,How does it smell?

Anonymous said...

Thank you! I have some growing but have never done anything with it yet.