How to make natural yucca root shampoo

Different species of yucca, some of which are known today as Spanish bayonet, Adam’s needle soapbox, Datil, Whipple, or dagger, are of great economic importance to many indigenous tribes in the southwestern United States. The waxy, pointed leaves provided excellent fibers for weaving. Along the flower stalks and creamy white flowers have been used by the Apache for food and, more importantly for our purposes, the yucca roots provided many Native Americans with a natural shampoo and natural soap. for the clothes.

Cassava root (called mole) contains the compound saponin, which has detergent properties and appears to have a particularly beneficial effect on protein fiber of animal origin.

And there’s no reason why you can’t try a yucca soap for yourself, because the versatile plant, previously classified as Liliaceae but more recently included in the new family Agavaceae, is found in the Southwest (and to some extent, Southeast). ), United States, Mexico and the Antilles.
Collection and elaboration of cassava shampoo

Cassava root can be harvested at any time of the year, as long as the ground is not frozen. However, since regulations on collecting wild plants vary, be sure to check your state’s laws before you start digging. Next, if there are no restrictions on cassava harvesting in your area, select a small to medium-sized plant that can be dug up without difficulty; even a group of young roots will suffice for ten washes.

Next, remove all loose dirt with a stiff brush or old rag and use a small ax to chop the roots into manageable (potato-sized) pieces. Now, using a sharp paring knife, cut away the hair-like extensions and root skin, taking care to keep the newly exposed surfaces as clean as possible.

Once done, crush the peeled pieces into smaller pieces (about the size of ice cubes) and use a hammer or blender to pulverize these root pieces into a pulp. When the porridge has changed color from white to pale yellow, the new shampoo is ready to be used, dried or frozen (cassava keeps well preserved, where one of two methods).

natural shampoo storage

If you wish to sun-dry the roots, spread the material out in a thin layer on a clean surface and leave it in direct sunlight until all moisture has evaporated. (When the gravy is no longer sticky and fluffy, but feels a bit coarse, it’s dry enough to store.)

For oven drying, on the other hand, just spread a thin layer of dough on a baking sheet and bake on low (225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit) for an hour or two. (Drying time may vary from batch to batch, so check back often.) Finally, but dry the cassava, be sure to store the particles in a cool, breezy place.

E ‘can also freeze a future supply of soap root, and this can be done at any stage of root preparation. Simply seal the dough in an airtight container and thaw before processing or end use.

However, there is a caveat regarding yucca shampoo: As with any new substance, be sure to do a skin test to check for allergic reactions before washing your hair with the pulp. Although anthropologists record that Native Americans used yucca roots for full body baths (and Walapai mothers also washed their babies with the suds of a yucca every day for a week after birth), I once used the material of the root as a face cleanser and found that my skin was irritated but I have had no negative effects from the substance shampoo.

When you are ready for the yucca kneaded hair wash, make sure your hands (and sink) are free of grease (or other non-foaming roots), then run a few inches of water into its base, add at least a handful of dough and stir the water around vigorously. (Alternatively, you could put the pulp and some water in a blender for a few seconds and pour the sparkling yield down the sink.)
healthy and shiny hair

After getting a lot of suds, fill the sink with water and remove the pulp float. (Or, if you don’t use the blender to make foam, you can avoid having to strain the water by simply inserting the roots to be lathered into a cheesecloth bag.) Then simply wash and rinse your hair as usual. You’ll be happy with the way this natural cleanser leaves hair silky, shiny, healthy and clean!