Since learning that the roots of red campion can be a substitute for soap, I have been curious to try them out as such. The thing is, though: I have found no source which shows me how to make the soap, apart from vague instructions to boil in water. Oh, and apparently, the soapy water can be used to wash laundry.
Now, as I do like to experiment, I decided to cover the root
in water in the pan and boil till the water had reduced to half its volume. Then I used the resultant liquid to wash my hair – once it had cooled down.
Did it work? Mm, to clean my hair probably not. Of course, it would have eliminated dust, odours and such but I doubt the hair got a thorough clean. On the other hand, the next morning, my hair had a luxuriant thickness to it. So, I’ll give the experiment another try as a hair conditioner and see if the result is replicable.
Growing out of chaos 
I hadn’t heard of that and will be interested to read how it works as conditioner.
I don’t think it has been recognised as such – it just seemed like a conditioner to me. I’d need a lot of roots to keep me going for a year, though 😊
Hi Helen, well there is a good tip, thanks for trying it out and a great experiment it turned out to be, many people would be delighted to hear that you found something that would thicken their hair. Red champion does not grow here though, only white champion and then only very sparsely, I would not pick it at all as there would not be enough of it. Fortunately my hair is tick already 🙂 A great experiment and such fun to try isn’t it. Have a nice weekend!
Have a good weekend, too, Agnes 😊
I don’t know the laws in Ireland regarding foraging but here you’re not supposed to dig up the roots of plants unless they are on your property. Fortunately, red campion has no trouble growing for me and I have noticed it in the wild, too. Not sure if it is an escapee or naturally there.
Great you have thick hair! Mine was only thick when I was pregnant.
Not sure of the law here either Helen, I would not take any wild plants as a rule either as these days we are all making such an effort to preserve the wild plants.
I don’t think foraging per se harms plants but digging them up certainly would.
Well done
Thank you, Derrick
Interesting! You never know until you try it.
Indeed! Thought I hasten to add that 1) the effects do wear off after a few days and 2) they may not happen if I try the experiment again.