saponin
Botanical soap compound
Saponins are plant compounds that foam when mixed with water, named for their soap-like quality.
Found in many vegetables and herbs—quinoa, spinach, ginseng—they can taste bitter and were traditionally used for washing.
In nutrition and pharmacology, saponins are studied for potential health effects including cholesterol reduction.
Suds-producing flowering plant
- yuccaSpiny desert plant
- quinoaEdible seed from Andes
- ginsengPerennial with tonic root
- licoriceAnise-flavored confection
soybeans · alfalfa · fenugreek · oats · agave · legumes · chickpeas · asparagus
Foamy soap bubbles
emulsifier · surfactant · detergent · shampoo · cleanser · aerate · fizz · dispersion
Sugar bound to non-sugar
- steroidalOf certain hormones
- bioactiveAffecting living tissue
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- surfactantSurface tension lowering compound
Antimalarial alkaloid from bark
- gentianFlowering alpine plant
- aloesBitter medicinal plants
- tanninPlant-derived astringent compound
- cacaoTropical pod-bearing tree
fenugreek · ginseng · astringent · unpalatable · aftertaste
Destroying red blood cells
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
- anticancerOpposing malignant cell growth
- antioxidantOxidation-preventing molecule
cholesterol-lowering · adjuvant · cytotoxic · anti-inflammatory · antiparasitic · expectorant · adaptogenic
soapwort
Suds-producing flowering plant
licorice · soybeans · alfalfa · fenugreek · oats · agave · legumes · chickpeas · asparagus · spinach
lather
Foamy soap bubbles
soapy · emulsifier · surfactant · detergent · shampoo · cleanser · aerate · fizz · dispersion · emulsion
glycoside
Sugar bound to non-sugar
- steroidalOf certain hormones
- bioactiveAffecting living tissue
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
quinine
Antimalarial alkaloid from bark
cacao · fenugreek · ginseng · astringent · unpalatable · aftertaste
hemolytic
Destroying red blood cells
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
- anticancerOpposing malignant cell growth
antioxidant · cholesterol-lowering · adjuvant · cytotoxic · anti-inflammatory · antiparasitic · expectorant · adaptogenic
hemolysis
Red blood cell destruction
- antinutrientNutrient uptake blocker
- insecticidalAble to slay bugs