Soapwort (Quilaja saponaria)

Other names: Quillaja, soapbark, soap tree, murillo bark, Panama bark, China bark

The soap tree, scientific name Quilaja saponaria, is a deciduous tree native to South America, mainly Chile and Peru. Its other English names - soapbark, soap tree, murillo bark, Panama bark, China bark - refer to why this tree is so valued. The bark of this tree contains saponins, natural substances with soap-like properties - they are able to form a foam in water and have a strong cleansing effect. Because of this, the tree has traditionally been used by local people in the home, but saponins from the soap tree are now also used in industrial production.

Products that use saponins from the mydlokor are not only cleaning and cosmetic products, but also some foods and medicines. In the cosmetic industry, mydlcore saponins are included in shampoos, shower gels, soaps and other cleaning products. Their mild cleansing properties and ability to form foam make them ideal for sensitive and irritated skin. In the food industry they are used as natural emulsifiers, and in ice cream production they promote the formation of a smooth and creamy consistency. In medicine they are used for their anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties. Recently, for example, saponins from mydlokor have been used in the production of some vaccines against covid-19 as an adjuvant, a substance that increases the effectiveness of the vaccine.