Common names | Quillaja, Soap bark tree, Soapbark 

Scientific name | Quillaja saponaria
Used part | Bark

Known active compounds | quillaic acid, piscidic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid 

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-microbial
Product name | Quillaja Bark-ANB

 

 

Plant Story

Quillaja saponaria, commonly called quillaja, soap bark tree, or soapbark, is an evergreen tree native to Chile. Since pre-Columbian times, quillaja has been used by indigenous people as a soap, due to its high saponin content. The name quillaja was derived from the native Mapuche word ‘quillean’, which means ‘to wash’. In addition to its use as an ingredient of soap, quillaja has been used for medicinal purposes. The Andean people used quillaja to treat various chest problems. Bark can be externally applied to treat skin ulcers and dandruff.

 

Quillaja is a rich source of saponins, especially quillaic acid. Studies have shown anti-microbial activity of quillaja saponins. In particular, quillaja extract exhibited anti-microbial activity against Escherichia coli strains. Phenolic constituents were also analyzed. Piscidic acid was found to be the major phenolic compound in quillaja wood and other compounds such as vanillic acid and its derivatives, p-coumaric acid and its derivatives, and syringic acid were identified.