Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a
common wildflower that is found throughout Britain on wasteland, in woods and
in hedgerows. It also grows alongside streams and on country roadsides.
It gets its name from the fact that, when
bruised and boiled in water, the leaves and stems produce a liquid “soap” that
was formerly used for washing raw wool and woollen cloth. The plant was grown
commercially near woollen mills for this purpose, and much of the wild soapwort
seen today owes its origin to this industrial use. However, it is also found in
places that are a long distance from former woollen mills.
Soapwort is a hairless plant with smooth
leaves that are narrow and oval in shape, each leaf showing up to five
prominent veins. The plant grows up to 36 inches (90 centimetres) in height.
Pink or white flowers grow in clusters from
August to October. They produce a delicate scent that attracts hawkmoths. The
five sepals join together to form a smooth green tube.
As well as its former use as an industrial
wool cleanser, soapwort has also been used as a shampoo for delicate hair.
Extracts of soapwort have been used in herbal remedies for gout, rheumatism and
skin diseases, despite the fact that the leaves and roots produce a poisonous
substance called saponin. It would appear that soapwort products should be
confined to external use only!
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