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wikiCommons
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| Common Names |
| Soapwort , Bouncing Bet, Fuller's herb, Sweet William, Bruisewort, Old Maids Pink |
| Botanical Name |
| Saponaria officinalis |
| Family |
| CARYOPHYLLACEAE Pink family |
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The common name of this member of the carnation family indicates it's traditional uses in washing. The hormone-like saponins contained in the root produce a lather on contact with water. It has an ancient reputation used both internally and externally for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, boils, and acne, and the herb's main use in modern herbology is in the treatment of skin conditions. Taken internally these saponins are a mild irritant to the respiratory and digestive systems making soapwort an expectorant and laxative in small doses (see caution). Mabey, Richard ,40 |
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| Upper respiratory infection | | The primary use of soapwort today is treat stuffy nose and clogged throat caused by upper respiratory infection. The herb irritates the linings of airways just enough to encourage coughing and sneezing to clear them. It also encourages sweating that was once thought to "sweat out" a cold.
1251
Moutain Rose Herbs. Learn Soapwort. (2007-12-16),  | | Gout and Rheumatism | | Soapworts use for gout and rheumatism is probably effective because of the anti-inflammatory property of its saponins 1252
(Mabey, Richard ) |
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| Side Effects: |
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| Soapwort is a strong purgative and mildly poisonous in large doses. Internal use should be guided by a qualified herbalist. |
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- Flowers: Pink or whitish, fragrant, about 1 inch broad, loosely clustered at end of stem, also sparingly from axils of upper leaves. Calyx tubular, 5-tooth.ed, about
f in. long; 5 petals, the claws inserted in deep tube. Stamens 10, in 2 sets; 1 pistil with 2 styles. Flowers frequently double.
- Stem: 1 to 2 ft. high, erect, stout, sparingly branched, leafy. Leaves: Opposite, acutely oval, 2 to 3 in. long, about 1 in. wide, 3 to 5 ribbed.
- Fruit: An oblong capsule, shorter than calyx, opening at top by 4 short teeth or valves.
- Preferred Habitat: Roadsides, banks, and waste places.
- Distribution: Generally common. Naturalized from Europe
A stout, buxom, exuberantly healthy lassie among flowers is Bouncing Bet, who long ago escaped from gardens whither she was brought from Europe, and ran wild beyond colonial farms to roadsides, along which she hae travelled over nearly our entire area. Underground runners and abundant seed soon form thrifty colonies. This plant, to which our grandmothers ascribed healing virtues, makes a cleansing, soap-like lather when its bruised leaves are agitated in water. Netje Blanchan. Wild Flowers worth Knowing (1917)
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Common Misspellings:
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Essential Oils
