Soaps of the South, Part 2: A Love Song to Kudzu

I'm making soaps out of iconic Southern plants, so you knew it was going to make an appearance. Here it is—Kudzu Vine!

If you’ve spent any time in the South, you’ve seen it — that unstoppable green wave rolling over fences, trees, and anything else that dares to stand still too long. It’s the vine that ate the South, bless it. Originally brought over from Japan in the late 1800s to help with erosion (and because someone thought it looked pretty), kudzu decided it liked it here a little too much. Now it’s draped across half the countryside like it owns the place. 

And honestly? I kind of love it for that. Kudzu has this wild, unapologetic energy that feels very Southern — relentless, lush, and just a little bit mischievous. So when I started crafting my Kudzu Vine soap, I wanted to take that same overgrown spirit and turn it into something beautiful for your skin.

Here’s the secret: under all that tangled chaos, kudzu’s actually a skincare powerhouse. It’s rich in isoflavones that help soothe irritation, calm redness, and even encourage collagen production. In traditional herbal medicine, kudzu’s been used to cool and comfort the skin — perfect for hot, humid Southern days or winter’s dry spells alike.

When I infuse the leaves in a tea and blend root powder into the final batter, the result is this gorgeously gentle bar with a creamy lather and a soft, earthy scent — like a slow afternoon spent on a shaded porch. Every time I use it, I think about how something wild and invasive can also be healing and good, if you know how to work with it.

So yes — kudzu might’ve taken over the South, but now it’s taking over my soap shelf too. And honestly? I’m not mad about it. Whenever I see kudzu, I know I'm home.