What is Quillaja?

Quillaja

Introduction

Quillaja, or soap bark tree, is a large evergreen that can grow to 60 feet and spreads to 22 feet.1 The leaves of quillaja are oval and shiny and the white to yellow-green flowers usually appear in late spring or early summer.1,2 Quillaja is native to Chile and Peru, but currently is cultivated in both California and India.3 The outer bark of the tree is dark and thick, but the inner bark is brownish-white and is the portion of the tree that is harvested throughout the year for its industrial and medicinal properties.2,3

History and Cultural Significance

The name quillaja is a derivative of the Chilean word for soap, quillean,4 and stems from the traditional use of the inner bark of the quillaja tree as a detergent for washing clothes and an alternative to bath soap.3 The foaming liquid created when it is mixed with water has been used to sooth irritated skin and as a vaginal douche.1,3,5

Currently, quillaja extracts are used as foaming agents in root beer and beverage mixes, and as a component of other food products such as frozen desserts, candy, puddings, and baked goods.5
Externally, quillaja is used in shampoosin exfoliating products.1,5 Quillaja is employed in other topical preparations designed to relieve itching and protect against cracked skin and insect bites.6

Modern Research

There are currently no studies on the external uses of quillaja.

Future Outlook

Quillaja has been planted in Chile in fragile soils and on steep slopes for site protection and secondary production (wood harvest).7

References
1 Bown D. The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.; 2001.
2 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Volume 2. New York: Dover Publications Inc.; 1971.
3 Chevallier A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.;1996.
4 D’Amelio FS. Botanicals: A Phytocosmetic Desk Reference. Boca Raton, FL; CRC Press LLC.: 1999.
5 Leung AY and Foster S, eds. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc; 1996.
6 Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. 2nd ed. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing; 1999.
7 Benedetti S, Valdebenito G. A case study of agroforestry extension in the Chilean semiarid zone. International Union of Forestry Research Organizations Extension Working Party (S6.06-03) Proceedings of a Symposium. Extension Forestry: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Application. Blacksburg, VA: July 19-24, 1998.

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