The Ancient Cleansing Power of Chinese Honey Locust: A Tradition Revived

Key Historical Points:
1. Shennong Bencao Jing (神农本草经): One of the earliest references to Chinese honey locust can be found in the "Shennong Bencao Jing," a classic text on herbal medicine written during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). This text is attributed to the legendary figure Shennong, who is considered the father of Chinese herbal medicine. The book classifies herbs and plants and describes the medicinal uses of Chinese honey locust, especially its pods for cleansing and detoxifying purposes.

2. Traditional Taoist Practices: In addition to its medicinal value, Chinese honey locust was incorporated into Taoist traditions for its purifying properties. Taoist practitioners used the pods to cleanse their bodies, hair, and even clothes, viewing it as a way to maintain physical purity and spiritual clarity.

3. Ancient Hair Care and Bathing Rituals: As early as the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), records show that Chinese honey locust was widely used as a natural soap and shampoo. The pods were boiled in water to create a foamy lather, which people used to clean their hair and skin. This natural alternative to soap was highly valued for its gentle cleansing properties.

4. Daily Life and Folk Use: Throughout Chinese history, especially in rural areas, Chinese honey locust was used in household cleaning and personal hygiene. Families would often grow the trees in their yards or gather the pods from the wild for regular use.