Content
Soapwort officinalis is an unpretentious plant that takes root well in almost any conditions. The beneficial properties of saponaria allow it to be used not only for decorating a personal plot, but also in the treatment of certain diseases.
Saponaria officinalis is a fairly tall plant.
What does soapwort look like and botanical description?
Soapwort, or Saponaria officinalis, is a perennial plant belonging to the Clove family. The Russian name comes from “sapo”, which means “soap” in Latin.In addition, people call saponaria Tatar soap, tear-grass, and red root.
Numerous stems of Soapwort officinalis are knotty, straight or branched in the upper part. May be naked or pubescent. The stem length varies from 30 to 80 cm.
Lanceolate leaves are entire, without stipules, pointed in the upper third. The length of the leaf blade of saponaria is 5-12 cm, and the width is 1-4 cm. In the upper third of the shoot the leaves are opposite-sessile, in the lower third they are petiolate. 3 longitudinal veins are clearly visible on the leaf blade.
The inflorescence of Soapwort officinale, as seen in the photo, is multi-flowered, corymbose-paniculate. Medium-sized white or white-pink flowers consist of five elongated petals with small marigolds and a crown (crown) located at the base of the limb. The petals are entire, with a barely noticeable notch at the top. In the middle of the flower basket there are ten stamens arranged in two circles, as well as one pistil with two thread-like styles and an upper ovary. The calyx of the flower is sphenoid, bell-shaped or tubular, has no sharp ribs and spinous leaflets at the base, the perianth is double.
Soapwort flowers look like stars
The Saponaria fruit is an oblong, four-toothed multi-seeded box. The seeds are small, blunt-tubercular, almost black.
The root system is highly branched and creeping. The roots are curved, somewhat knotty, and dirty red in color.
Soapwort is used to decorate garden plots and prepare alternative medicines. Saponaria decoction is used for washing hair and delicate washing of some items.
Where does the herb Soapwort grow?
Science knows 15 species of soapwort. In Russia you can find some of it. The most popular is soapwort, which grows in regions with a temperate climate. In nature, the flower can be seen on high mountain rocky slopes and plateaus of European countries. In the territory of the former USSR, saponaria grows in the Caucasus, as well as in the countries of Central Asia. In the Russian Federation - in almost all regions except the cold northern ones. Saponaria does not grow in coniferous forests either.
Favorite places for Soapwort officinalis are water meadows and forest glades, valleys and river banks. Saponaria can often be found in fields overgrown with weeds, roadsides and streets.
Soapwort grows even in thickets of grass
Chemical composition of the plant Soapwort officinalis
The basis of the chemical composition of Saponaria officinalis is formed by the substances present in it.
The roots, leaves, flowers and stems of the plant contain:
- About 25% of saponins that foam in ordinary water like soap are saponarosides, saporubins, salonic acid. Most saponins are found in the rhizome of the plant.
- Carbohydrates – vitamin C, gencibiose, oligosaccharides.
- Flavonoids (saponarin). These substances contain saponaria leaves.
Beneficial features
Thanks to its saponin content, medicinal soapwort has gained authority among herbalists. Healing agents prepared from the roots and vegetative parts of saponaria have a diaphoretic, choleretic, diuretic and expectorant effect.
Due to the antibacterial properties of soapwort, herbalists use it as an antiseptic and wound-healing agent.
As an adjuvant, soapwort provides a good effect in the treatment of respiratory and digestive diseases. Products made from saponaria help get rid of skin ailments, heal wounds and stop hair loss.
Saponaria root can be purchased at the pharmacy
Cooking methods
Medicines are made from the rhizomes and vegetative parts of the plant, which are used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. The process of preparing them is not particularly difficult.
Tincture
To prepare a tincture of medicinal soapwort, crushed dry raw materials are poured with 40% alcohol or vodka in a ratio of 1x10 and infused for 10 days at room temperature, shaking occasionally. The finished tincture is kept in a cool place (at a temperature of 8 ° C) for another 3 days, after which it is filtered and used for its intended purpose.
Infusion
Unlike tinctures, soapwort infusion is made without the use of alcohol. The medicine is prepared from both fresh and dry raw materials.
Infusion from dry raw materials
To prepare the infusion, 1 tsp. crushed dry roots of Soapwort officinalis are poured into a glass jar and 1 tbsp is added. warm water (boiled). The container is tightly closed with a lid and wrapped in something warm (terry towel, woolen scarf or shawl) and left for 8-10 hours. During the infusion process, the jar is shaken periodically. The finished composition is filtered.
Soapwort infusion can be used as an addition to drug treatment for various types of hepatitis and cholecystitis, ailments of the stomach and intestines. This remedy will help alleviate the symptoms of rheumatism and reduce joint pain.
The infusion is used as a gargle in case of catarrhal sore throat or as drops in the nose for nasal congestion.
Infusion from fresh raw materials
To prepare the product, the roots of medicinal soapwort are cleaned of soil lumps, washed thoroughly and cut into small pieces. The raw materials prepared in this way are poured with ordinary water (so that the roots are completely covered) and left to soak. After one hour, the water is poured out and new water is poured in for another hour. After this, 2 tsp of soaked root is poured into 2 tbsp. hot water, wrap and leave to infuse for 4 hours.
This infusion is effective as a diuretic and also a choleretic agent. It is used to treat various types of edema.
Decoction
A healing decoction is made either from soapwort alone or with the addition of other components. There are several options for cooking recipes.
Decoction of soapwort roots
To prepare a decoction, pour 6 g of finely chopped dry rhizome of saponaria into 250 ml of hot water and cook for 30 minutes over low heat.
After this, the broth is infused for half an hour, filtered and used for its intended purpose, for example, for rinsing during the development of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
Decoction of soapwort roots with willow bark
In the process of preparing the medicine, crushed willow bark and dry soapwort root are mixed in equal quantities.
2 tsp. prepared dry mixture pour 2 tbsp. hot water.The mixture is brought to a boil over high heat, after which the heat is reduced and simmered for another 15 minutes. Remove the broth, leave for half an hour and filter.
A decoction of medicinal soapwort with willow bark can be used as an aid in the treatment of tuberculosis, rheumatism, hepatitis, and spleen diseases.
For taste, it makes sense to add a few drops of lemon juice to the broth.
Tea
Considering the expectorant effect of soapwort, a hot drink from this plant is recommended by supporters of alternative medicine as an effective remedy for dry, hacking cough. Lotions with tea are used to treat dermatological diseases (eczema, furunculosis, lichen, various types of dermatitis), and in the form of a compress and rinse - to improve the condition of the skin and strengthen the hair follicles. In the latter case, the drink is diluted with water in a 1x1 ratio.
For tea 1 tbsp. l. fine dry raw saponaria pour 1 tbsp. hot boiled water and leave to infuse for 5-6 hours. After this, the tea is boiled again, filtered and used for its intended purpose.
Before preparing a decoction or tincture, the root must be properly prepared.
Use in folk medicine
In official medicine, soapwort is practically not used. But traditional healers use the plant to treat various diseases.
For the treatment of furunculosis
Furunculosis is a disease characterized by the appearance of pustular rashes on the skin. The antiseptic properties of soapwort make it possible to use this plant in the process of treatment.
To get rid of purulent formations on the surface of the skin, lotions or compresses from a decoction or infusion of saponaria will help. The principle of the procedures is almost the same: in the first case, a tampon soaked in the drug is applied to the affected area of the skin, and in the second case, a cloth is applied, which is covered with plastic film and a warm cloth (scarf or blanket).
The compress and lotions from the root decoction are removed after they are completely dry.
Treatment of psoriasis
Psoriasis is a non-infectious chronic skin disease accompanied by the appearance of pink, scaly patches.
During the treatment process, herbalists recommend compresses, baths and soapwort ointment.
Compresses
Gauze folded in several layers is moistened in a decoction or water infusion of soapwort and applied to the affected area of the skin. Cover the compress with plastic wrap and wrap it with a scarf or blanket. The bandage is left until completely dry.
Baths
In case of extensive foci of psoriasis, baths with soapwort decoction will help alleviate the patient’s condition. To do this, the roots and herb of Saponaria officinalis are crushed and poured with cold water for 1 hour so that the product infuses. After this, the resulting foam is removed, and the infusion is boiled for 10 minutes, removed from the heat and filtered. Fill the bath 1/3 with warm water and pour the decoction into it (the greater the concentration, the better). Take a bath before bed.The duration of treatment is approximately 12-15 daily procedures. After some time it can be repeated.
For a bath, you can use a ready-made herbal mixture from a pharmacy.
Ointment
To make an ointment, 10 g of dry powder from the root and leaves of soapwort are combined with 100 g of animal fat (ideally goose or pork).
Ointment made from dry soapwort raw materials is also suitable for the treatment of other skin diseases.
It is necessary to treat problem areas with the resulting herbal ointment twice a day.
For nausea
To eliminate nausea, 10 g of fine dry soapwort and 30 g of St. John's wort are poured into 5 tbsp. water and cook for about 5 minutes. The finished broth is cooled, filtered and taken 1 tbsp. twice a day.
Treatment of toothache
Saponaria will also help when your teeth hurt. To do this, a piece of the root is chewed and kept in the mouth until the pain disappears.
For cholelithiasis
Taking soapwort infusion helps improve the flow of bile and alleviate the symptoms of cholelithiasis.
In the process of preparing the product, 5 g of medicinal soapwort is combined with 15 g of St. John's wort, pour a glass of hot boiled water over everything and leave for 5 hours in a dark place.
In combination with St. John's wort, saponaria has double effectiveness against gastrointestinal diseases
For herpes
A decoction of soapwort (saponaria) officinalis can be an effective remedy in the fight against the manifestations of herpes.To make a healing product, 20 g of dry and well-ground raw materials are placed in a glass jar and poured with 500-550 mg of cold water. The water mixture is brought to a boil and simmered over low heat for 5-7 minutes. The finished broth is cooled and filtered. During the treatment process, a piece of sterile bandage folded 2-3 times is moistened in the broth and applied to the problem area. Ideally, do the procedure as often as possible.
Application in cosmetology
Lotions made from a warm decoction of saponaria will help remove bags and dark circles under the eyes. A soapwort compress will improve the condition of your facial skin.
Soapwort officinalis for washing hair
Using saponaria decoction when washing your hair helps improve hair structure, prevent hair loss and fragility.
A high concentration of soapwort decoction can be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of total or partial alopecia (baldness). To do this, rub the liquid into the scalp using a cotton swab or bandage. After two hours, wash your hair with warm water and shampoo suitable for your hair type. For focal baldness, the product is rubbed into the area of problem areas of the scalp.
A decoction of soapwort officinalis will improve your complexion if rubbed regularly in the morning and evening.
Contraindications
The saponins contained in medicinal soapwort have a local irritating property, which can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract, so the plant is classified as poisonous. You should be especially careful when taking products prepared from saponaria. You can take such drugs only as prescribed by a doctor as an addition to the main treatment and strictly in prescribed doses.
Self-medication, as well as overdose, can provoke such troubles as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
The appearance of alarming symptoms should be a signal to immediately stop taking the drug and visit a specialist.
Collection and preparation
Saponaria root is mainly used as a medicinal raw material. It should be harvested when the plant is dormant - in the spring before the growing season or in the fall after flowering.
The dug roots are cleaned of soil residues, washed thoroughly with cold water, small shoots are cut off and dried at a temperature not exceeding + 50 ° C. The finished raw materials are packaged in a thick fabric bag or cardboard box and stored in a dry place.
For the preparation of some products, the leaves of Soapwort officinalis are used. It is harvested during flowering. The leaves are dried in the same way as the rhizomes.
Dried leaves do not lose their beneficial properties
Conclusion
Soapwort officinalis is a plant that will help relieve the symptoms of certain diseases. And with basic care, a lush and fragrant saponaria can become a real decoration for one of the corners of your garden plot.
