Saponaria officinalis
Soapwort
a perennial member of the Saponaria genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Saponaria
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Lepidoptera
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Lepidoptera
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant contains saponins[2]. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Soapwort's main medicinal use is as an expectorant. Its strongly irritant action within the gut is thought to stimulate the cough reflex and increase the production of a more fluid mucus within the respiratory passages[14]. The whole plant, but especially the root, is alterative, antiscrophulatic, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, expectorant, purgative, sternutatory and tonic[15][17][18][2][9][10]. A decoction of the whole plant can be applied externally to treat itchy skin[15][7][11]. The plant has proved of use in the treatment of jaundice and other visceral obstructions[15], but is rarely used internally in modern herbalism due to its irritant effect on the digestive system[11]. When taken in excess, it destroys red blood cells and causes paralysis of the vasomotor centre[11]. See also the notes above on toxicity[15][17]. The root is harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use[17]. One of the saponins in this plant is proving of interest in the treatment of cancer, it is cytotoxic to the Walker Carcinoma in vitro[10].
- Product or use
- Alterative
- Product or use
- Antipruritic
- Product or use
- Antiscrophulatic
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Cytotoxic
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Sternutatory
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A soap can be obtained by boiling the whole plant (but especially the root) in water[16][2]. It is a gentle effective cleaner[17][19], used especially on delicate fabrics that can be harmed by modern synthetic soaps (it has been used to clean the Bayeaux tapestry). It effects a lustre in the fabric[4]. The best soap is obtained by infusing the plant in warm water[3]. The roots can be dried and stored for later use[3]. The plant is sometimes recommended as a hair shampoo, though it can cause eye irritations[11]. The plant spreads vigorously and can be used as a ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way[8].
- Product or use
- Soap
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and temperate Asia.
- Habitat
- Fields, roadsides and along the banks of streams[17].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best if given a short cold stratification. Sow autumn or late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, it can be successfully done at any time in the growing season if the plants are kept moist until they are re-established. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[6]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[11]. Hardy to about -20°c[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], soapwort is often grown in the herb garden and is sometimes cultivated for the soap that can be obtained from the roots. There are some named forms, usually with double flowers, that have been selected for their ornamental value[5]. Plants can be very invasive when grown in good conditions[K]. Soapwort should not be grown next to a pond with amphibians or fish in it since if the plant trails into the water it can cause poisoning[11]. The flowers are slightly scented with a sweet aroma that has an undertone of clove[13]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[6]. A good moth plant[2][12].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3