What is soap root

Soap root, or Saponaria officinalis is a perennial plant of the family Caryophyllaceae. The name soapwort received for the ability to form a thick soapy foam used for commercial purposes. But not only for the quality of the plant is much appreciated. It is widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Description and use soap root

Soap root has a red-brown rhizome with branches. Part of the ground reaches a height of 100 cm, hairy stem, with ovate-oblong and lanceolate rough leaves decorated with pink or white flowers, gathered in corymbose panicle.

To the evening around the blooming. the aroma is so strong that it is impossible not to feel. By the end of August in place of flowers formed boxes with lots of small black seeds.

Meet soap root it is possible practically in all territory of the Russian Federation. Soapwort is widely distributed on the flood plains, forest clearings, riverine Sands. Many gardeners grow the plant on private land.

Soap root is ideal for washing delicate fabrics. Prepare a mixture of 1 kg roots and 1 liter of boiling water. Use for hand or machine washing, pre-strain the composition.

The roots and rhizome of soapwort contain large amounts of triterpene saponins, pectins, carbohydrates, sepharose and mucus. Due to this the content of the soap root is used as antimicrobial, diuretic, choleretic, diaphoretic and Antirheumatic agents.

Traditional medicine recommends a decoction of the root of soapwort to treat persistent coughs, sore throats, gout, kidney and spleen.

For cooking and medicinal decoction pour a teaspoon of chopped roots boiled water, bring to a boil, cool, strain, bring to the original volume. Take 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day for the advice of a doctor.

Use the prepared solution for cosmetic purposes to treat acne. Wipe cleansed face 2 times a day or make a mask by soaking a clean cloth with warm water and put it on the face. Keep the area around the eyes and mouth were free. Keep the mask need not exceed 10 minutes.

In the Middle ages, a decoction of soap root was treated for leprosy and any problems associated with skin diseases. Currently, this plant is also widely used in cosmetology and folk medicine.

Build time soap root – late fall. At this time, the plant has maximum therapeutic value.

Be careful while treatment of soap root!

Please don't forget to use the infusion of soap root in is possible only on the recommendation of a physician. To say that the root is poisonous too little. The plant contains enough dangerous substances and improper use can cause poisoning.