The Properties And Uses Of Soapwort

Before we talk about the many uses of soapwort, let’s first discuss what it is exactly. Soapwort, or Saponaria officinalis, is a plant native to southern and central Europe and Southeast Asia.

Today, this plant is also grown in North America and many other countries, where it is used as a garden plant or to make cleansers and remedies.

Soapwort is an herbaceous perennial with rhizomes, an erect stem, lanceolate leaves and flowers in shades of white, pink or violet. The plant usually does not grow taller than 60 centimeters and is generally easy to grow. It even has a high tolerance to drought and can grow on sandy soils.

According to an article published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research , soapwort is distinguished by its high concentration of saponins, substances that give it the ability to form foam. Similarly, it is said to have purifying, tonic and expectorant properties.

The properties and medicinal uses of soapwort

The composition of soapwort includes substances such as saponins (up to 5%), flavonoids, sugars, resin, vitamin C and small amounts of essential oil. It is therefore not surprising that it is said to have surfactant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal and expectorant properties.

While there is still limited evidence, a number of in vitro and animal studies support several of its effects. Of course we have to make it clear that it is not a panacea.

It is simply said to have potential as an excipient for a number of health-related problems. We’ll cover these issues in more detail below.

Candida albicans infection

Because of its potential as a natural antifungal agent, researchers have been studying soapwort as a potential therapeutic agent against Candida albicans infections.

In research reported in the Journal of Medical Microbiology , scientists used saponin-rich fractions of this plant on their own and in combination with various antifungals.

The researchers found that while this extract had no direct antifungal activity, it did help inhibit germ tube and biofilm formation. In addition, it also showed high cytotoxicity, which is a relevant immune response.

Cough and bronchitis

Soapwort is not a first choice remedy for bronchitis or cough. Still, in traditional medicine, people have used doses of 1 or 2 grams of extract of the herb to control these symptoms. For the same purpose, 1.5 grams of the root is prescribed daily. However, there is a lack of evidence to confirm its expectorant effects in humans.

Skin health

The saponins contained in this plant make it a natural cleanser that is ideal for skin care. By producing foam and providing antioxidants as well as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent, it encourages deep cleansing of the skin.

• It therefore promotes the relief of conditions such as dermatitis, acne and seborrhea.
• It is also commonly found in certain commercial cosmetic products.

Other Potential Benefits and Uses of Soapwort

• A study in Protein & Peptide Letters suggests that soapwort has anti-HIV effects that may be related to its apoptosis-inducing activity and cytotoxic potential. Despite this, there is no solid evidence to support its use as a therapy for this disease.

• Studies have also looked at the anti-tumor potential of this plant. In this regard, a review indicates that saporin-S6, a type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein, has shown interesting results when it comes to cancer therapy, especially in hematologic tumors.
• Given its potential as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory , some people also use soapwort as an aid to relieve pain from rheumatism, gout, muscle disorders, and osteo-articular inflammation. However, as in the previous cases, evidence on these uses of soapwort is scarce.

The risks and possible side effects

To date , there is insufficient evidence to prove the safety and efficacy of soapwort. More research will need to be done before it is clear how this product can be used.

• For now, we do know that consuming it in high doses or for long periods of time causes hemolysis and severe irritation in the digestive tract.
• It can therefore lead to symptoms such as cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• When used externally, we have to be careful, among other things, because it can cause irritation on sensitive skin or when it comes into contact with the eyes.
• In addition, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid its use.
• If you have an underlying illness or are undergoing drug treatment, you should consult your doctor before using soapwort.

How to use soapwort

There is no clinical evidence to support a specific soapwort dosage. In general, you should follow the recommendations on the product, whether in tea or extract. Never exceed the recommendation of no more than 1.5 grams of dried soapwort for internal use.

In natural cleaners it is good to use 30 to 100 grams of rhizome per liter of water. Boil the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, then let it sit for an hour.

What to remember about the uses of soapwort

Due to its cleansing effect, soapwort is popular in the manufacture of cosmetic and household cleaners. It is additionally said to possess certain medicinal properties.

However, many of these properties come from anecdotal data and there is insufficient evidence to support them. You should therefore use it with caution and never lose sight of the fact that natural remedies can be harmful if used excessively.