Panama wood – Quillaja saponaria

Native to Chile, Peru, and Argentina, Panama wood is the inner bark of the Quillaja saponaria tree. Traditionally used by indigenous peoples for personal and household hygiene, it remains a key ingredient in organic cosmetics and eco-friendly cleaning products.

Description

Brown or light beige bark, in dry chips or fragments, light and fibrous. Neutral to slightly earthy odor. Strong foaming capacity when boiled or infused in hot water.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Panama wood, Quillaja, vegetable soap
• Latin name: Quillaja saponaria
• Family: Quillajaceae
• Part used: Bark
• Form: Dried shavings or pieces
• Origin: South America (Chile, Argentina, Peru)
• English name: Soapbark
• Name in German: Seifenrindenbaum
• Name in Spanish: Quillay
• Name in Italian: Quillaja
• Name in Arabic: قشور كويلايا (Qushūr Quillāyā)

Main virtues

A natural plant-based foaming agent, used for its mild detergent properties, Panama wood is incorporated into scalp care products, cleansing gels, or as a foaming agent for beverages and pharmaceutical products (excluding direct therapeutic use).

Main constituents

Triterpene saponins, polyphenols, tannins, complex sugars.

Use and dosage

• Decoction: Boil 10 g of bark in 1 liter of water, filter after 10 to 15 minutes.
• Cosmetics: use the decoction as a hair lotion, plant shampoo or gentle bubble bath.
• Cleaning: as a solution for delicate laundry or dishes.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Internal use not recommended without supervision (may be irritating to the digestive mucous membranes).
• Do not apply undiluted to eyes or mucous membranes.
• May be allergenic in sensitive individuals.

History and origin

Panama wood was used by the Mapuche and other Andean peoples for personal hygiene and natural skincare. It is still sustainably harvested today and is a plant-based alternative to synthetic surfactants in modern cosmetics.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: dry, away from light and humidity.
• Packaging: kraft bag or airtight jar.
• Appearance: bark cut into light brown fibrous shavings.
• Odor: discreet to slightly woody.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Plant-based and organic cosmetics reference
• Andean Ethnobotany – South American Publications
• Cosmetics without synthetic surfactants – Comparative studies

🔎 Information

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