Botanical Index No. 952

Soapwort

saponaria officinalis

Medicinal Actions

Alterative, Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antiseptic, Cholagogue, Cytotoxic, Depurative, Detergent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hypocholesterolemic, Irritant, Laxative, Mucolytic, Spermicide

Primary Conditions Treated

Acne Angina Aphrodisiac Arthrosis Asthma Bacteria Boil Bronchosis Cancer cervix spleen Catarrh Cervicosis Cholecystosis Cold Congestion Constipation Cough Depression Dermatosis Diarrhea Dropsy Dysmenorrhea Eczema Enterosis Escherichia Exanthema Fever Gastrosis Glossosis Gout Hepatosis High Cholesterol Hypochondria Induration Infection Inflammation Jaundice Laryngosis Lichen Mucososis Mycosis Nephrosis Neurasthenia Oxyuriasis Pain Pertussis Pharyngosis Poison Ivy Psoriasis Pulmonosis Rash Respirosis Rheumatism Rhinosis Scabies Scrofula Sore Splenosis Staphylococcus Syphilis Tonsilosis VD Water Retention Wound

General Dosage

1.5 g root/day; 1 tsp root in cold tea; 0.4–1.5 g bark/day; 0.4 g/cup bark tea; 2–4 fl oz bark extract; 1–2 g bark extract.

Safety & Contraindications

Not covered. Rare stomach irritation. Large doses may be poisonous. Saponins are hemolytic. May irritate mucus membranes and skin. May induce emesis and diarrhea.

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