Saponaria officinalis - Bouncing-bett

Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)

"Saponaria officinalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Lepidoptera.It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." ^[PFAF]

Characteristics: "The leaves and root contain bitter tasting saponine and produce suds when rubbed under water." ^[PDR]

Description

"General: Perennial herb from a stout, branched rhizome and long stolons; stems erect or ascending, several, simple or branched above, glabrous or nearly glabrous, forming large clumps, 30-90 cm tall." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Leaves: Basal leaves lacking; stem leaves opposite, as many as 20 pairs, lanceolate to oblanceolate, 4-10 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, short-stalked or the upper ones unstalked; stipules lacking." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Flowers: Inflorescence of numerous flowers in many tight clusters, fragrant, often double; petals 5, white to pink, stalklike at the base, stalk of the petals usually slightly exceeding the calyces, the blade mostly 10-15 mm long, egg-shaped to wedge-shaped with 2 linear appendages near the base, shallowly notched at the tip; sepals 5, green, united, forming a tube 15-20 mm long, with 5 teeth at the tip." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Fruits: Oblong to narrowly egg-shaped capsules, to 25 mm long, 4- or 5-valved; seeds black, about 1.7 mm long, concentrically pimply." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Habitat/Range: "Dry roadsides and waste places in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; infrequent in SW and SC BC; introduced from Eurasia." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

Status: Exotic ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

Synonyms

• Lychnis officinalis. [E-flora]
• Saponaria officinalis var. glaberrima Ser. [E-flora]

Hazards

• Saponins

• "The plant contains saponins[13]. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K]. Do not use for more than 2 weeks. Avoid during pregnancy." ^[PFAF]
• "Because they are able to dissolve red blood cells even when used in small amounts, they should never be injected directly into the bloodstream. Taken orally however they are hardly absorbed at all through an intact intestine but instead help to promote digestion and absorption of many other substances such as calcium and silicon." [McIntyre AHTC]
• Contraindications: "This herb is contraindicated in pregnancy" [CRNAH] "Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Soapwort) — Not covered (AHP). Rare stomach irritation (KOM). Large doses may be poisonous (FAD). Saponins are hemolytic (FAD; FNF). May irritate mucus membranes and skin (PHR). May induce emesis and diarrhea (APA). Patients with GI problems and ulcers should possibly avoid (APA).^{[HMH Duke]}
  
• Herb & Root: "No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Localized skin and mucus membrane irritations are possible with the administration of larger dosages." ^[PDR]
• Caution: "Do not use bouncing bet on your face, because it is very irritating to the eyes." [ChelseaGreenPub]

Food

Beer Additive

"To satisfy local demand, German beer makers turned Brewerytown on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia into the nation’s prime brewing center. Farmers in Pennsylvania planted barley, hops, and soapwort, or bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), a common herb that stimulated froth. Malt houses stored bins of barley and malt, steeping tanks, and kilns. Wort masters left barrels of hops, malt, and water open in the brew house to encourage yeast to convert sugar into alcohol, the chemical change that determined flavor and alcohol content. By eliminating wild yeasts and spoilage bacteria, food processors applied pure spores to particular needs, such as pilsner beer, a pale Bohemian lager." [Snodgrass WF]

Other Uses

As its name suggests, a natural lather can be made from the leaves, stem, and roots of this herb. When boiled in water, the plant releases saponins and produces a slippery substance that has the power to lift grease and dirt. Interestingly, soapwort was once used in the wool industry for cleaning new wool, and in Britain, colonies of soapwort plants can still be found growing close to old mills. It is still used by museum conservators to lift surface dirt gently from fragile antique textiles and paintings, and can be found growing wild on poor soils throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.[GrowHerbs]

• Shampoo
• "The plant is sometimes recommended as a hair shampoo, though it can cause eye irritations[238]." ^[PFAF]
  
• Soap
• "A soap can be obtained by boiling the whole plant (but especially the root) in water[6, 13]. It is a gentle effective cleaner[7, 95], used especially on delicate fabrics that can be harmed by modern synthetic soaps (it has been used to clean the Bayeaux tapestry). It effects a lustre in the fabric[171]. The best soap is obtained by infusing the plant in warm water[169]. The roots can be dried and stored for later use[169]." ^[PFAF]Both roots and leaves contain saponins and lather easily in water (39).[Krochmal]
• Soapwort is used as a treatment for dry, itchy, skin conditions and as an anti-inflammatory. Mildly poisonous, it should be used medicinally only when prescribed by a qualified herbalist. In the home, it is used in both skin- and haircare products, particularly for those with sensitive skin. Simmer a handful of leaves for seven minutes, strain, and add to a bath to treat dry, itchy skin. Soapwort also makes a good cleaning product for delicate silk garments and upholstery.[GrowHerbs]
• "still used today for washing wool". [Svanberg EE]
• "Girls and young women used Saponaria to wash their faces to make them more delicate and paler (Moszyński 1929: 602–605)." [Svanberg EE]
• "...the best known soap plant is SOAPWORT (Saponaria officinalis), from which a lather can be got by rubbing the leaves in water. The species was used by the Greeks and Romans for washing clothes, and probably it was the Romans who introduced it into Britain. They certainly knew about about its water softening properties (Thomson. 1976). It was used in the East as far back as the 10th century for cleaning clothes and carpets. It is still regarded as valuable for cleansing and restoring old tapestry without damaging the fabric (Brownlow). In the Swiss Alps, sheep were washed with it before they were shorn (Grigson. 1955)." [DPL Watts]

Medicinal Uses

"The plant has proved of use in the treatment of jaundice and other visceral obstructions[4], but is rarely used internally in modern herbalism due to its irritant effect on the digestive system[238]. When taken in excess, it destroys red blood cells and causes paralysis of the vasomotor centre[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity[4, 7]." ^[PFAF]

"One of the saponins in this plant is proving of interest in the treatment of cancer, it is cytotoxic to the Walker Carcinoma in vitro[218]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Saponaria officinalis Soapwort. Bouncingbet for coughs/bronchitis (see [302] for critics of commission E)." ^[PFAF]

• Plant: "The whole plant, but especially the root, is alterative, antiscrophulatic, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, expectorant, purgative, sternutatory and tonic[4, 7, 9, 13, 21, 21]. A decoction of the whole plant can be applied externally to treat itchy skin[4, 201, 238]." ^[PFAF]
  
• Expectorant: "Soapwort's main medicinal use is as an expectorant. Its strongly irritant action within the gut is thought to stimulate the cough reflex and increase the production of a more fluid mucus within the respiratory passages [254]." ^[PFAF]
• Herpes/Flu Treatment: "An infusion made from the flowers of elder, St John's wort herb and root of soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) has exhibited antiviral activity against influenza types A and B (in vivo and in vitro) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (in vitro)." [HerbalMed3]
• Black Eye Treatment: "Gypsies use a decoction of the root to apply to a bruise or a black eye (Vesey-Fitzgerald), or a freshly dug root put on the black eye would do (Campbell-Culver, though that might take longer to achieve the desired effect)." [DPL Watts]
• Root: "The root is harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use[7]." ^[PFAF]

Dosages

• Herb
• "Soapwort herb consists of the dried, above ground parts of Saponaria officinalis. The herb is harvested in the summer before flowering in the first and second years of the plant's growth." ^[PDR]
• "Unproven Uses: In addition to uses as an expectorant for cough and other diseases of the respiratory tract, folk medicine internal uses also encompass constipation, gastrointestinal disorders, liver and kidney disorders, rheumatic gout, neurasthenia and oxyuriasis. External folk medicine indications include skin rashes, eczema and as a gargle for tonsillitis." ^[PDR]
• Daily Dosage: "As an aqueous extract, take 1 to 2 g daily. Constipation—2 glasses daily of a decoction, (Preparation instructions are not given.) Storage: The herb should be stored in a container that protects it from light and moisture." ^[PDR]
• Root
• "Soapwort root consists of the dried roots, rhizomes and runners of Saponaria officinalis. The roots are plowed up in autumn, after the herb has been mown. The root is cleaned and then dried artificially at 50° C." ^[PDR]
  
• "The drug is used for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract." ^[PDR]
• "Unproven Uses: In addition to respiratory applications, internal folk medicine uses occasionally include diseases of the liver, gallbladder and kidney, constipation, gout and as an emmenagogue. Among external uses are skin disorders, lingual mycoses and rheumatic complaints." ^[PDR]
• Mode of Administration: "Comminuted herb for teas and other galenic preparations for internal use. Drug extracts are contained in a few standardized preparations of antitussives. Preparation: To prepare tea, use 0.4 g of medium fine cut (1 teaspoonful is approximately equal to 2.6 g of the drug). Decoction—1 0 g/180 g drug with the addition of 1 g sodium carbonate and simple syrup to 200 g. Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 30 to 150 mg of the drug corresponding to 3 to 1 5 mg of gypsophilia saponin. As an expectorant, 1 dessertspoonful of the decoction is taken every 2 hours. Storage: The root should be stored tightly sealed and protected from light." ^[PDR] "Dosages (Soapwort) — 1.5 g root/day (KOM); 1 tsp root in cold tea (MAD); 0.4–1.5 g (1/8 to 1/3 tsp) bark/day (APA); 0.4 g/cup bark tea (PHR); 2–4 fl oz bark extract (FEL); 1–2 g bark extract (MAD)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

Phytochemistry

"Saponins have been found in various parts of the plant: leaves, stems. roots, bulbs, blossom, and fruit. Studies on their distribution and content in the plant in the course of annual vegetation showed a dependence upon environmental temperature (Hein, 1959) and season (Drozdz, 1962). The latter reported that the saponin content of underground organs of Saponaria officinalis L. and Polemonium coeruleum L. diminishes during flowering and fruit-bearing and is accompanied by accumulation of saponins in the generative organs." [Liener TCPF]

Herb

• Triterpene saponins: chiefly aglycone quillaic acid ^[PDR]
  Flavonoids: including among others, saponarine (C-glycosyl-flavone) ^[PDR]
  Ribosome-inactivating proteins (in the seeds) ^[PDR]

Root

• Triterpene saponins (2 to 8%): aglycones quillaic acid, gypsogenic acid ^[PDR]

Pharmacology

"Activities (Soapwort) — Alterative (f; PNC); Analgesic (1; APA; DEM); Antiinflammatory (1; APA; PH2); Antiseptic (1; PH2); Aphrodisiac (f; MAD); Cholagogue (f; MAD); Cytotoxic (2; KOM; PH2); Depurative (f; HHB); Detergent (f; PNC); Diaphoretic (f; KOM; MAD); Diuretic (f; FAD); Emetic (1; PH2; WOI); Emmenagogue (f; FEL; PH2); Expectorant (2; APA; FAD; HHB; KOM); Hypocholesterolemic (1; PH2); Irritant (1; PH2); Laxative (f; FAD; KOM; WOI); Mucolytic (1; APA); Spermicide (1; PH2)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

"Some fractions of ginseng were haemolytic and some fractions were antihaemolytic, exhibiting protective activity against saponaria saponin haemolysis and lecithin haemolysis (Namba et al. 1973)." [EMNMPV.9]

"A ribosome-activating protein (RIP), called saporin 6, inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro (Wagner et al., 1995). Quillaiac acid contributes to diuretic activity (FNF)" ^{[HMH Duke]}

Herb: "Because of the high saponin content, the drug is antibiotic, expectorant, antiphlogistic, cholesterol-lowering and spermicidal. In high doses, it becomes irritating to the mucous membrane, cytotoxic and emetic." ^[PDR]

Root: "Because of the high saponin content, the Soapwort root is antibiotic, expectorant, antiphlogistic, cholesterol-lowering and spermicidal. The drug is expectorant because of its effect on the gastric mucosa. In high concentrations, it has been shown to be irritating to the mucous membranes, cytotoxic and emetic." ^[PDR]

Cultivation

"Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[238]. Hardy to about -20°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[1], soapwort is often grown in the herb garden and is sometimes cultivated for the soap that can be obtained from the roots. There are some named forms, usually with double flowers, that have been selected for their ornamental value[187]. Plants can be very invasive when grown in good conditions[K]. Soapwort should not be grown next to a pond with amphibians or fish in it since if the plant trails into the water it can cause poisoning[238]. The flowers are slightly scented with a sweet aroma that has an undertone of clove[245]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200]. A good moth plant[13, 24]." ^[PFAF]

• Site: "This plant will tolerate any soil in a sunny position, but if the soil is too rich in nutrients, soapwort growth will be too rapid and difficult to control. Avoid planting soapwort near fish ponds because it has creeping rhizomes that excrete a poison in wet soil that is harmful to fish. Dwarf species like Saponaria ocymoides are better suited to containers because of their size."^[GrowHerbs]
  
• Maintenance: "Cut back after flowering to clear up the garden and prevent the plant from self-seeding. Cutting back will also encourage new growth and, in mild winters, a second flowering. In the fall, dig up any invasive roots." ^[GrowHerbs]
• Harvesting: "Pick fresh leaves as required throughout the growing season." ^[GrowHerbs]
• Groundcover: "The plant spreads vigorously and can be used as a ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way[208]." ^[PFAF]
  

Propagation

• "In my experience, it is far easier to grow soapwort from stem cuttings or by division than from seed because it takes the seed a long time to germinate, and success is not always guaranteed. Take cuttings at the stem joint in late spring to early summer. Divide established plants in fall after cutting back." ^[GrowHerbs]
• Seed - "best if given a short cold stratification. Sow autumn or late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, it can be successfully done at any time in the growing season if the plants are kept moist until they are re-established. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer." ^[GrowHerbs]
  

References

• ChelseaGreenPub - Project: Replace Your Soap with Soapy Plants, https://www.chelseagreen.com/2008/project-replace-your-soap-with-soapy-plants/, Accessed Feb 7, 2019
• [E-flora] Saponaria officinalis, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Saponaria%20officinalis&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed May 25, 2019
• [Krochmal]Useful Native Plants in the American Southwestern Deserts, A. KROCHMAL, S. PAUR ANY P. DUISBERG
• [PFAF] http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Saponaria+officinalis, Accessed April 1, 2015, May 25, 2019

Journals of Interest

• Serkedjieva J, Manolova N, Zgorniak-Wowosielska I, Zawiliāska B, Grzybek J (1990) Antiviral activity of the infusion (SHS-174) from flowers of Sambucus nigra L., aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum L., and roots of Saponaria officinalis L. against influenza and herpes simplex viruses. Phytother Res 4(3):97–100