Saponaria: use, properties, and tradition

Published on July 30, 2021 - Medicinal Plants

Saponaria: una pianta diuretica, depurativa e diaforetica.

Saponaria officinalis L., belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, earns its name because its root foams water like soap, showcasing detergent properties.

This perennial herbaceous plant, with a creeping rhizome and erect stems reaching up to 60 cm, is widespread in Europe and Asia, thriving in damp grassy areas and along streams. Easily identified by its green-blue leaves and numerous large flowers in white-pink hues, clustered in terminal panicles. Basal leaves are petiolate, while cauline leaves are sessile, opposite, lanceolate, and have a yellowish-green color. The fruit is an oblong capsule.

The entire plant is used for its tonic, purifying, and digestive properties. Alternatively, the rhizome and roots are employed to address respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and urinary tract issues, as well as febrile conditions.

Caution: The plant is toxic in high doses.

Main Constituents:

Triterpenic saponins (2-5%): bidesmosides of quillaic acid (saponariosides A-B), gypsogenic acid and 16-α-hydroxygypsogenic acid (saponariosides C-I, L-M), and their derivatives (saponariosides J-K). Glycolic and glyceric acid, reducing sugars, galactomannan mucilage. Essential oil; Flavonoids (leaves): vitexin and saponaretin.

Main Activities:

Expectorant, bronchial secretion-thinning, diuretic, purifying, and diaphoretic. Recommended for respiratory conditions of a catarrhal nature.

Indications:

Internal use: Gouty rheumatism, urinary and hepatic conditions, bronchitis, influenza.

External use: Eczema, pruritic dermatoses, acne, scaly dermatoses, scalp maintenance; quinsy and various lymphatic congestions.

Saponins:

These are organic plant substances, of glycosidic nature, capable of lowering surface tension, generating colloidal solutions that foam, thus forming O/A emulsions. When introduced in high doses into the bloodstream, they emulsify red blood cells, but oral intake poses no danger as they are absorbed by the gastrointestinal mucosa in minimal amounts. The therapeutic importance of saponins also lies in their ability to accelerate the absorption of other pharmacologically active substances to enhance their bioavailability. For example, their presence improves the body’s utilization of calcium, silicon, and emodins. Like all glucosides, saponins are hydrolyzed and lose their biological properties if their solutions are boiled for too long. Saponins primarily exert an expectorant effect through their excitatory and secretion-thinning actions on bronchial secretions. Only secondarily do they manifest diuretic, purifying, and diaphoretic actions.

External use:

Gargles (quinsies, herpetic angina, Vincent’s angina as additional treatment):

– Saponaria root 20 grams

– 1 Poppy head

– Water to 1 liter

Boil for 10 min., add 100 grams of pink honey.

Decoction: 125 grams of Saponaria root in 1 liter of buttermilk. For lotions against acne and scaly dermatoses.

Decoction: 60-80 grams/liter. For poultices on lymphatic congestions. For hair wash (maintenance).

Flowering tops applied to scaly dermatoses, eczema, and herpes.

Whole plant decoction: yields a soapy water good for laundry, particularly for delicate fabrics as well as skin and hair cleaning. Its cleansing power is remarkable and non-aggressive. Moreover, Saponaria has the sought-after advantage of not polluting water.

(Source: Phytotherapy, J. Valnet, Giunti 2012)