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Common Name: Soapwort

General Information

Saponaria officinalis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

The plant contains saponins[].
Although poisonous, saponins also have a range of medicinal applications and many saponin-rich plants are used in herbalism (particularly as emetics, expectorants and febrifuges) or as sources of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Saponins are also found in a number of common foods, such as many beans.
Saponins have a quite bitter flavour and are in general poorly absorbed by the human body, so most pass through without harm. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of raw foods that contain saponins.
Saponins are much more toxic to many cold-blooded 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 and make them easy to catch[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and temperate Asia.

Habitat

Fields, roadsides and along the banks of streams[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[].
Hardy to about -20°c[].
A very ornamental plant[], 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[]. Plants can be very invasive when grown in good conditions[]. 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[].
The flowers are slightly scented with a sweet aroma that has an undertone of clove[].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[].
A good moth plant[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

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[].
The whole plant, but especially the root, is alterative, antiscrophulatic, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, expectorant, purgative, sternutatory and tonic[, , , , , ]. A decoction of the whole plant can be applied externally to treat itchy skin[, , ]. The plant has proved of use in the treatment of jaundice and other visceral obstructions[], but is rarely used internally in modern herbalism due to its irritant effect on the digestive system[]. When taken in excess, it destroys red blood cells and causes paralysis of the vasomotor centre[]. See also the notes above on toxicity[, ]. The root is harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use[].
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[].

Other Uses

A soap can be obtained by boiling the whole plant (but especially the root) in water[, ]. It is a gentle effective cleaner[, ], 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[]. The best soap is obtained by infusing the plant in warm water[]. The roots can be dried and stored for later use[]. The plant is sometimes recommended as a hair shampoo, though it can cause eye irritations[].
The plant spreads vigorously and can be used as a ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way[].

Propagation

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.