Herbalism is a craft that is a form of art where one creates healing with medicinal herbs while embracing peace, love, compassion, kindness, and gentleness to all creatures and the environment.
Belle Gibbons
Soapwort is used as an expectorant, a mild diuretic, and to help eliminate toxins from the liver, however, it is toxic and can cause stomach upsets and have a powerful laxative effect when taken in higher doses. It’s a very effective herb when applied externally for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and skin irritations. The herb is also very useful for poison ivy, especially when combined with mugwort.
It has a delightful history – Romans used it as a water softener and during the Middle Ages soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) was known as herba fullonis because fullers (a person who cleaned and thickened freshly woven cloth to remove impurities) used the leaves as a soap to clean cloth). It was probably first mentioned as soapwort in William Turners book The Names of Herbs in 1548 and today it’s also known as bouncing bet and sweet william.
Precious antique fabrics are revitalized with suds made from soapwort leaves and in the Middle East it’s still used to clean fragile tapestries. It’s also the main ingredient in some home-made shampoos.
While some herbal references suggest it’s safe to use internally at the recommended dose others state there have been reports of it being fatal to both human and animals. I have never heard of reports of ill effects, however, it’s best not to take the herb internally.
To make a decoction for external use soak 4 tablespoons of dried root (2 tablespoons for fresh) in 1¾ pint/1 litre of cold water for 5 hours then bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. When cool apply to the affected area as a wash or compress.
Over time shampoo residue builds up on hair affecting its natural acid balance and causing it to become dull. A herbal rinse containing apple cider vinegar cleans this residue and restores hair to its natural and healthy state.
The most beneficial herbs for cleaning hair include peppermint, basil, spearmint, rosemary, and bergamot. Use the following rinse whenever you think your hair has lost its shine.
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup dried basil
1/4 cup dried rosemary
1/4 cup dried bergamot or peppermint
Place the herbs in a jar that has a plastic lined lid. Heat the vinegar until almost boiling and pour over the herbs. When the vinegar is cool stir the mixture with a wooden spoon and put the lid on. If the lid is metal put plastic between it and the jar. Stand the jar in a warm place for ten days and shake it very well twice a day.
Strain the mixture through a funnel lined with muslin in to an amber or dark glass bottle and put the cap on. Dilute the rinse, 1/3 cup to 3 cups of warm water and catching the liquid in a bowl pour through the hair several times as a final rinse after shampooing.
Use this lovely rinse to deepen dark hair after it has been shampooed and rinsed with water.
Dried Herbs:
1 tablespoon stinging nettles
2 tablespoons rosemary leaves
4 tablespoons sage leaves
2 tablespoons tea leaves
500 ml boiling water
Put all dried herbs in to a tea pot or infuser and pour the boiling water over them. Cover and let the mixture infuse for an hour or so then strain in to a jug. Using a bowl to catch the liquid pour the rinse through your hair several times.
This is a lovely, gentle shampoo that lathers and cleans the hair very well. It also rinses off easily without leaving any residue. The base for this shampoo is made from olive oil castile soap, which can be bought from a health food store but do be aware of imitations.
1 Tablespoon dried sage leaves for dark hair or
1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers for fair hair
1 Tablespoon dried peppermint leaves
2 Tablespoons dried rosemary leaves
1 Tablespoon stinging nettle leaves
1 cinnamon stick or vanilla pod (optional)
550 ml distilled water
3 drops peppermint essential oil
50 ml vodka
50 gram castile soap, grated
Place the dried herbs in to a heavy based saucepan (not aluminium or copper), add the water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for around ten minutes. Remove from the stove, cover and steep for thirty minutes. Using muslin strain the mixture in to a bowl making sure you squeeze all the liquid from the herbs. Pour the liquid in to a clean saucepan and add the castile soap. Simmer and stir every few minutes until the soap completely dissolves then remove from the stove and allow it to cool; it should be the consistency of thin cream. Using a dropper add the peppermint oil to the vodka and stir in to the herb and soap mixture. Pour the shampoo in to a jar, cap it and let it stand for four days before using.
You can also use lavender or eucalyptus essential oils instead of the peppermint oil.
Here is a delightful and aromatic hair rinse that I’m sure you’ll want to use regularly.
500 ml water
20 ml orange blossom water
Juice of half a lemon
40 gram finely chopped lemon peel
Half a cup chamomile flowers
Pour the water in to a heavy based saucepan (not aluminium or copper) and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and add the lemon peel and chamomile flowers. Let simmer for half an hour, remove from heat, cover and infuse for at least four hours but preferably overnight. Strain through muslin in to a jug and squeeze the remaining liquid from the plant material. Stir in the lemon juice and orange blossom water. Pour the rinse through the hair collecting it in a basin each time. Discard the liquid when finished. Shampoo and rinse well with water prior to using this highlighting rinse. Dry hair in sunlight and use the rinse on a regular basis to achieve the best results.
80 ml sunflower oil 20 ml vodka 5 ml lavender essential oil 5 ml clove essential oil 5 ml bergamot essential oil 5 ml thyme essential oil
Place all ingredients in a glass bottle that has a cap that can be closed tightly. Shake well to combine the ingredients each time before use. Add no more than 5 ml or one teaspoon of the mixture to the bathwater and place a rubber mat in to the bath tub because it can be very slippery. Be careful not to slip when getting in and out of the bath.
Almond and apricot oil can be used instead of sunflower oil but are more expensive.
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