Traditional Soap and detergents yielding plants and animal materials of Himachal Himalaya

Traditional use of organic materials as soaps and detergents indicates the wisdom of people about utilization of biodiversity in their surroundings. Himachal Himalaya represents a wide range of agro-ecological conditions where altitude varies from 900m to over 3000 m. The three districts included in the study represent almost all conditions. A total of 23 plant species and two animal byproducts had been used by the people as soaps and detergents. The processing techniques and chemical basis of some 17 materials have been mentioned. These materials may find way to develop skin- and environment- friendly natural products in future.