How To Make Soap From Yucca

Yucca is the genus of about 50 species of plants. These succulent plants are native to mostly southern North America and the Caribbean, but they do extend up into parts of Alberta, Canada. Yucca is a plant that thrives in the hot and arid environments of the American Southwest. Yucca plants are used as ornamental and can now be found growing well in places like Maryland and Missouri.

Most species of yucca do not have the stems of a traditional plant. Instead, they have a stemless rosette of stiff, evergreen, sword-shaped leaves and produce clusters of white flowers. Some species can grow as tall as medium sized trees, but most are more of the bush size variety.

The roots of the yucca plant can easily be made into shampoo and soap. Yucca root contains a compound called Saponin, which has detergent like properties.

To make soap clean the yucca root by removing all dirt. Peel the outer skin off of the roots. Next, chop the remaining root into small pieces no bigger than one inch squares. It is important to keep the newly exposed surfaces as clean as possible.

Pulverize these pieces into a pulp by getting pissed at them and beating them into submission with a mallet. When the mush has changed its color from white to light amber your shampoo is complete!

It can now be used or dried for later use! To dry place the pulp in a pan and dry in the sun or bake at low temperatures until it is dry and crackly. The dried Yucca pulp is now stored and can be used like a regular bar of soap.

Store the particles in a cool, dry place.

The soap is used like regular soap but the process of shampooing is probably different from what you are accustomed to. In a bowl or basin of water add at least a handful of the pulp to the water. Mix the water around vigorously. Skim off the floating pulp after the water starts to form suds. Now, dip your hair into the water and lather it up as best as you can. Rinse with clean water to complete the process. Enjoy the shine!