Soapwort

Saponaria officinalis

COMMON NAMES

• Bouncing Bet
• Fuller's-herb
• Lady's-washbowl
• Latherwort
• Old-maid's-pink
• Soapwort

The soapwort is a perpetual plant, which is also popularly known as the bouncing bet in America. It also has several folk names like the latherwort that are derived from the herb’s distinguished feature to produce lather like the soaps. The herb has rich content of saponins that are nature’s cleansing agents and hence it is widely used to get the body rid of toxins.

The soapwort herb usually has a single straight stem grows up to a height of two feet or higher. Normally, the plant grows in bunched and has oval shaped leaves that grow opposite to each other on the stem. The leaves are pointed at the end, but the borders are even and smooth. Between the period July and September, the plant bears flowers that have five petals. The colors of the soapwort flowers vary from whitish pink to rose and are approximately one inch in width. The soapwort flowers grow in bunches at the pinnacle of the stems.

The early European settlers in America brought soapwort from their native land and used the herb to wash virtually everything ranging from fine fabric like handmade lace to utensils made from tin or alloys. Employees of the New England textile used the soapwort for cleaning as well as thickening freshly woven cloth in a method that was known as ‘fulling’. Owing to this practice, the plant is also known as the fuller’s herb. On the other hand, the lather of soapwort was used by the Pennsylvania Dutch to add a foamy head to beer. In addition, the soapwort was cultivated commercially for its saponin content and the practice continues to this day.

Apart from the utilities of soapwort mentioned above, the herb is also effective in curing several disorders and has a long therapeutic history. While the herb is taken internally for its diuretic, laxative and expectorant properties, externally it is used to cure skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, acne and even boils. Decoction prepared with the herb’s roots or its extract is a common and widely used as a medication to cure poison ivy or itching rashes caused by any vine. This home therapy is perhaps popular as the application of the herb cleans the skin comprehensively.

PARTS USED

Root, aerial parts.

USES

Although soapwort has multiple therapeutic benefits, it is primarily taken internally as an expectorant or a remedy for coughs. It is believed that the herb’s function as a potent irritant in the alimentary canal or gut invigorates the cough reaction and induces the secretion of more liquid mucus inside the respiratory tract. As a result of this property of soapwort, the herbal medical practitioners recommend the use of the aromatic plant to cure bronchitis, coughs and even some conditions of asthma (a respiratory disease caused by allergies). The herb has other therapeutic advantages too and is used to treat rheumatic and arthritic pain. Decoctions prepared with the roots of the herb are effective in treating skin conditions such as eczema and itchiness. Even infusions prepared with the soapwort parts above the ground helps in washing the skin and bringing relief from irritations.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

The soapwort is indigenous to the temperate clime zones in Europe, Asia and North America. The plant grows and flourishes in the open forested regions as well as the sides of the railway tracks. Normally, the soapwort is extensively grown as a garden herb. While the flowers of soapwort are collected in summer, the roots of the herb are dug out in autumn.

CONSTITUENTS

All parts of soapwort contain saponins (around 5%), resin, and a small quantity of volatile oil.

USUAL DOSAGE

The soapwort may be taken in various forms - both as a decoction and also as tincture.
Decoction: To prepare an effective decoction with the soapwort, soak four tablespoon of the herb’s dehydrated roots in a liter or two pints of cold water for five hours. Two pieces of finely chopped fresh roots may also be used instead of the dried roots. Boil this for approximately 10 minutes. For effective action, the decoction prepared with the soapwort roots may be drunk three or four times every day.
Tincture: One or two ml of the tincture prepared with soapwort may be taken thrice daily.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

The root as well as the tuber or bulb of soapwort is of high therapeutic value and it is advisable that they be dug out between September and October and dehydrated in the sun for future use. The leaves of the herb are also of medicinal use and they are gathered between July and August.

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