Noa & Una’s Marginalia 📜 Soapwort (Patreon)

💭In the Middle Ages, soap wasn't something that could be mass-produced like it is today. So what if you wanted to wash your hands but felt that water alone wasn't enough? That's where “soapwort” came in!

🫧Soapwort is a charming herb with pink flowers, widely found across Eurasia. It is said to have been introduced to Britain from Northern Europe by monks. Crush its leaves or roots with a little water, and they produce a gentle, soapy lather—perfect for washing hands or even doing laundry. In the herb garden of Ordo Mediare, plenty of soapwort is grown for the sisters' daily use.

🙌To maintain good hygiene habits, the sisters always wash their hands thoroughly with soapwort and water jugs before meals. If anyone brings dirty hands to the dining table, they’ll be assigned extra duties!

Sources

Medieval Bath & Hygiene Display – Rosalie Medieval Women

Soapwort – Wikipedia