Soapwort officinalis - properties, recipes, treatment. Soapwort officinalis: description, photo, use in folk medicine

Soapwort officinalis is a popular remedy in folk medicine, treating a whole range of different ailments. In some countries, doctors also prescribe medicines based on this plant. It is also called “red soap root”, since this part is most often used for medicinal purposes.

Description of the plant

Soapwort is perennial grass. It's pretty tall plant reaching a meter in height. It has a substantial red or brown rhizome that supports straight stems. The leaves are oblong in shape with longitudinal veins, arranged oppositely, with the upper leaves growing directly from the stem, and the lower leaves from short petioles.

Small soapwort flowers white, sometimes with a pink or purple tint. They form a spherical inflorescence. Flowering occurs in the summer season. Then the fruits appear in the form of oblong bags filled with round dark seeds.

Soap grass grows in southern and central parts of Europe, in Central Asia and in the Caucasus, as well as in Western Siberia. You can meet her in meadows and forest edges, along rivers and in abandoned gardens. It can grow anywhere there is enough light and not too damp.

Medicinal properties

As mentioned earlier, the rhizome and roots of Soapwort, and in some cases the leaves, are used in the treatment of many diseases. However, it is worth remembering that the plant is poisonous, and if handled carelessly can cause poisoning with all the consequences, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and others unpleasant consequences. Therefore, when taking the medicine orally, you should follow the prescribed measures.

When consumed in moderation Medicines based on soapwort can have the following beneficial effects:

• ensure the removal of sputum, suppress cough;
• used as a choleretic agent;
• act as diuretics;
• increase sweating;
• help with constipation;
• normalize metabolism;
• have an anti-inflammatory effect;
• fight skin diseases;
• restore skin fat balance;
• stimulate hair growth.

Apply soap grass to different forms: internally and externally, in the form of infusions and decoctions, teas, ointments, powders, poultices, etc.

Application of soapwort

Soapwort is used not only for medicinal purposes. In ancient times, very gentle soap was made from it., which was used to wash wool and silk. Saponins give products from this plant the ability to foam. These components are also used in the production of soda and beer, the Arabic dessert halva, and sweet cream. Veterinarians give medications containing these elements to animals suffering from worms or intestinal diseases. Soap root extract has found widespread use in the region. detergents both for washing and dishes.

Soap root can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared yourself. This should be done in late autumn or early spring, when the above-ground part has outlived its usefulness and has not yet sprouted again. Dirt is washed off from the rhizome and roots cold water, then cut into pieces and laid out to air dry in a place inaccessible to direct sunlight. So they are stored for up to three years in fabric bags or wooden boxes. Leaves for medicine are collected during the flowering period.

There are many plants in nature that can form foam. This is due to the presence of saponins in their composition - amorphous substances that are highly soluble in water and have the ability to produce foam solutions.

It turns out that the saponin emulsion literally pulls dirt out of clothes and linen: part of the molecule dissolves in water, and part in fat, forming compounds with microparticles of dirt that are easily washed out. Solutions containing saponins are used for washing and bleaching especially delicate wool, silk and other fabrics that are damaged by ordinary soap.

Elderberry, field weed - cockle, tinder fungus, horse chestnut, common bracken, common soapwort...

What do they have in common? These plants can replace soap.

Saponins are widely distributed in nature, they are found in leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruits various plants. These are mainly plants that belong to the Liliaceae and Amaryllis families. Plants from the Solanaceae, Rannikaceae, and Clove families are also rich in them. These are plants such as soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L), firecracker (common gum), adonis (lychnis), paniculate bream (gypsophila paniculata), which have saponins in all their parts.

There are especially many saponins in the roots. Young plants have significantly fewer of them than old ones, and from the moment of flowering their number increases significantly. Saponins, unlike soap, do not create an alkaline reaction, which is a big plus.

Among the foaming plants in our area, the first place is taken by soapwort, which is also called “soap grass”, “red soap root”, “dog soap”. The name of the plant is due to the fact that when soapwort roots are rubbed with water, a lush foam is formed, which long time does not settle.

Dried and crushed rhizomes lather especially well, so they are prepared for future use: dried, ground into powder, diluted with water and washed or washed. After such washing, things acquire a pleasant smell and moths do not appear in them. Soapwort contains 32% saponin.

The process can be accelerated by heating the water: boiling a small amount of roots for several minutes. In the resulting “essence” you can wash, bathe, and wash your hair - for your own benefit and without harming nature. When washing your body with soapwort, you should not inhale or taste the foam, as it may cause sneezing.

Gryzhnika naked, popular name “dog soap”. Grows on sandy soils, rocky slopes, along the edges of fields, in wastelands, on cliffs of river banks. Distributed throughout Europe. When rubbed with water, the leaves of the hernia glabra produce soap foam, which perfectly washes and softens your hands; you can wash silk and woolen items in it.

Adonis, white dawn - a plant of the carnation family, which is also called “wild soap”, “Tatar soap”, “boyar or lordly arrogance” - Lychnis alba. Lychnis from the Greek word lychnos - lamp, torch.

The white flowers smell pleasant, bloom at night and are visible far in the dark. Its roots have been used since ancient times to eliminate grease during washing and remove greasy stains from clothes, as well as for washing hands. It is best to use powder from the roots of this plant.

Smolevka

Tar cracker belongs to the clove family. The white flowers of this plant have a swollen calyx that makes a good sound when pressed. Has a sticky stem. All parts of the plant, including the roots, are used as soap.

Licorice is also a foam-producing plant. The powder obtained from its roots is capable of producing abundant foam when combined with water.

The tinder fungus that grows on the trunks of larches is also used as soap; it is called the “leaf sponge.” Only the inner fabric is used for washing.

In Rus' it has long been used instead of soap. Its underground parts contain a lot of potassium. The rhizomes lather well and are absolutely harmless.

Soap tree, native to Kentucky, but sometimes found in Ukraine. It is called the Kentucky coffee tree and was introduced to Soviet Union in the 60s of the twentieth century. How decorative tree for decorating cities. But it has not become widespread in landscaping and therefore today it is found in green spaces in the form of single specimens.

Bunduk is very similar to acacia (Gledicia) in the external shape of its fruits and leaves, only the leaves of Bunduk are larger than those of acacia. This plant belongs to the legume family.

The green mass in the fruits is lathering at Bunduk's.

Nice smell! Pods hanging on a tree all year round- You need to wash your hands, tear mine too. Perfectly removes grease. You can use it to wash your face, wash your hair and wash your clothes. The fruit is shaped like a dumpling. The entire space inside the “dumpling” is filled with a pleasant shade of green thickened mass - like concentrated shampoo. This shampoo is soap. This plant, although a tree, is a legume. It is a relative coffee tree, and its fruits are used as a coffee substitute.

Horsetail in Rus' for a long time was used exclusively for economic purposes. A decoction of its roots was used to dye wool, and the herb was used to polish stones, polish metals, clean pewter dishes or ordinary smoked dishes. kitchen utensils, even washed white wooden floors. And the secret of the cleaning properties of horsetail was the presence of silicic acid in its stems. It was thanks to this substance that horsetail turned out to be beneficial for health and found its way into the pages of herbalists.

When autumn comes, you can use it to wash your hands and feet. fruits horse chestnut ordinary, they also wash stains on clothes well.

And here mustard You can not only wash your hands, but also wash woolen items (and only woolen items). Mustard powder is diluted in warm water, the clothes are soaked and washed after half an hour. It is advisable and useful to drain the water after washing and washing onto the beds. Mustard perfectly washes away fat. After washing, there are no chemicals left on the dishes that can be eaten.

Berries red elderberry Any dirt is washed off.

You can find a weed in the field cockle, it can also be used instead of detergents.

Soap root is obtained from plants of different families: swing the paniculata

Soapwort is a plant of the clove family. Its flowers are located in capitate inflorescences. The calyx is presented in the form of soldered leaves. Corolla color - pink, maybe white, and very rarely yellow color, consists of 5 petals. It bears fruit in a single-lobed capsule.

Today there are 3 dozen species known of this plant. Soapwort is common in the Mediterranean countries, Siberia and Asia. In Russia, soapwort has a little more than 10 species, the medicinal one is especially popular. It grows on the edges of forests and in the valleys of small rivers.

The rhizomes of this plant contain saponin. This is an excellent expectorant used for colds, which is used in the pharmaceutical industry for these purposes. Some species of soapwort are used and cultivated in floriculture.

Preparation and storage of soapwort

Collection of soapwort, especially medicinal, must be done during the flowering period. As a rule, this is mid-June. Drying of collected specimens should be done very quickly. It is for this reason that artificial heating must be used, otherwise all the benefits will be lost. Drying is carried out at a temperature not exceeding +50°C.

Also, the rhizomes of this plant can be harvested. You can collect them and in early spring, and late autumn. As a rule, this is done in both of these periods. Immediately after digging up the rhizomes, they must be cleared of pieces of earth. Then divide in half (with your hands or a shovel), spread on outdoors on a warm and dry day. Dry for about 1-2 days, then collected and placed in a fabric or paper bag.

Use in everyday life

The only purpose of soapwort in everyday life is to use finely chopped pieces of rhizomes, leaves, stems and flowers as soap. Take a little of the indicated mass in your hand, place it under the stream warm water and the effect is obvious. It is especially recommended to wash your hands in this way after working with technical liquids, for example, machine oil, grease, etc. Some species of soapwort are used in floriculture. This rather pleasant-looking plant will diversify the flora of your garden plot.

Composition and medicinal properties of soapwort

1. The aerial part of the plant in question is traditionally used in the manufacture of expectorants. To do this, all the moisture contained in the indicated parts of the soapwort is extracted using special technologies. The main purpose of such “moisture” is the treatment of bronchitis, whooping cough, and chronic cough. Hoarseness of breathing due to catarrhal symptoms is also excellently cured.
2. Infusions from leaves - excellent remedy to normalize the metabolic process for skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema and furunculosis).
3. Decoctions of soapwort help cleanse the blood; they treat rheumatism, joint pain, hepatitis, cholecystitis, stomach ulcers, nausea, constipation, and bloating.
4. Traditional medicine uses soapwort components as a bile and diuretic, edema due to renal pathologies.
5. They also remove stones from the gallbladder.
6. Scabies, dermatitis, and scaly lichen are treated with soapwort tinctures.
7. For a sore throat, it is recommended to gargle with soapwort tincture, and chew its root for acute toothaches.

The use of soapwort in folk medicine

Soapwort is one of the most valuable plants. The process of collecting the plant is simple, and traditional medicine recipes are easy to prepare. Let's look at the most popular of them.

Soapwort tincture for the treatment of furunculosis

Grind the root of the plant in question. Take 1 tablespoon of the resulting substance, place it in a 200 ml glass and pour boiling water. Cover with a saucer and let sit for 4 hours. It is necessary to consume 3 times a day immediately after meals, 2 tablespoons. The tincture should be stored in the refrigerator with the lid closed. The effect occurs 1 month after the start of the procedure. By the way, after 5-6 weeks of taking soapwort tincture, you should take a break for 2-3 weeks, then repeat the course.

Soapwort decoction for treating skin damage

It is necessary to grind the dry roots of this plant. Then take 2 tablespoons, place in a small saucepan and add 500 ml of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer over very low heat for 5 minutes. Then the specified broth cools down, filter it. Using a cotton swab, apply to the surface of the affected area of ​​skin, then cover the top with a bandage or gauze bandage. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day, one of which must be done before going to bed.

Soapwort tincture for the treatment of bronchitis and other respiratory diseases

It is necessary to grind the dry soapwort root, then place 1 tablespoon in a glass. Pour this mixture with warm boiled water to the top, cover with a saucer and leave for 8 hours. Then take 50 g 4 times a day after meals. Just one prepared serving is enough for 1 day of intake. In the evening you need to prepare a new tincture for the next day. Repeat the procedure until the symptoms of the disease disappear. Store the tincture at room temperature in the same glass, covering it with a saucer. And preferably in a place protected from sunlight.

Soapwort decoction as a diuretic, choleretic and diaphoretic

It is necessary to grind the dry root of this plant. Place 50 g of this mixture in a small saucepan, add 1 liter of water, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Then let cool with the lid closed, strain and place in glass jar, be sure to cover with a plastic lid. Store the finished broth at room temperature. Take 150 ml 3 times a day without reference to meals. The procedure can be repeated for no more than 1 month with a break of at least 3 weeks.

Soapwort tea for treating cough in children

You will need 1 heaped teaspoon of finely chopped dry roots and leaves of the plant in question. Place it in a glass and pour 50 ml of cold boiled water. Leave for 5-6 hours, then bring to a boil (you can use a metal mug), let cool, and then strain. Now one cup of tea is ready. Drink 2 such cups a day until the cough disappears. If a child is unwell (tea should not be given to children under 8 years of age), stop taking it.

Contraindications

The most poisonous part of the soapwort is its underground part - the rhizome. It is imperative to observe the dosage of using those preparations made on the basis of this part of the plant. At the first signs of abdominal pain, vomiting, cough, diarrhea, headaches and fever, consult a doctor and be sure to stop taking it in absolutely any doses.

The slight toxicity of soapwort obliges you to consult with your doctor about the use of any drug based on this plant. It is also prohibited for pregnant women and nursing mothers, children under 8 years of age, and in quantities exceeding the recommended amount by even 10-15%.

Soapwort officinalis is a perennial, 30-90 cm high, which is often used as ornamental plant. In the past, the roots of this plant were used instead of soap, which is why it has such strange names among the people as soap grass, cuckoo soap, dog soap, Tatar soap, soap root, bladderwort and others - white carnation, field carnation, air jasmine, bobwort , cokel, field violet, contracter, jointer, etc.

The plant has numerous long and thin creeping roots, reddish-brown in color, which reaches 35 cm in length. The stem is branched, the leaves are elliptical, short-petioled, oblong and acute, with three veins. The flowers are white or pink on short stalks, large, smell good, collected in paniculate inflorescences. The fruits are in the form of an oblong-ovoid capsule. Soapwort seeds are small and dark in color.

Soapwort blooms in summer, in June-August, the seeds ripen in August.

Soapwort is widespread in Ukraine, southern Russia, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Central Asia and other countries. It grows along river banks, on forest edges, among thickets, and sometimes in wastelands.

WITH therapeutic purpose They use rhizomes with roots, known as "red soap root", as well as leaves. The root is harvested in spring or autumn, but better in autumn. It is dug up and cleared of soil, washed in cold water, crushed into small pieces of 8-10 cm and dried outdoors in the shade. The shelf life of harvested roots is 3 years.

Soapwort officinalis is an excellent expectorant, as well as antimicrobial, diuretic, choleretic, wound healing, diaphoretic and antirheumatic. Soapwort also has antiviral activity.

Soapwort leaves contain such useful components as the glycoside saponarin, ascorbic acid, but the roots are especially valuable; they contain saponaroside, saporubrin and saporubric acid, mucus and pectins.

In folk medicine, an infusion of soapwort roots and leaves is used for many diseases: cough, whooping cough, sore throat, runny nose, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, jaundice, liver and spleen diseases, cholecystitis, dropsy, gastrointestinal diseases, constipation, furunculosis, scabies, gout, rheumatism, various polyarthritis, psoriasis, lichen, eczema. A decoction of the roots is used to wash your hair to prevent hair loss.

Also in folk medicine, soapwort rhizomes are used for prostate adenoma. In a mixture with other herbs, it is used for prostatitis, frequent emissions and cervical cystitis.

In traditional medicine, preparations are made from soapwort, which are used to liquefy and expectorate sputum in cases of illness. respiratory tract and lungs, as well as a laxative and diuretic.

Baths from a decoction of soapwort roots are taken for purulent wounds, scabies, rheumatism, persistent rashes, for the treatment of lichen, including scaly, eczema and boils.

For sore throats, gargling with a decoction of soapwort root helps a lot.

Infusion of soapwort rhizomes : Pour 1 teaspoon of chopped roots with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 4 hours and strain. Drink 2 tablespoons 3 times a day after meals, for furunculosis and other diseases.

For herpes, soapwort decoction and: 20 g of soapwort roots, pour 1 glass of boiling water, boil for 5-7 minutes over low heat. Use as compresses for washing affected areas.

For rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis: 1 teaspoon of crushed root, pour 1 glass of water, boiling water, boil in a water bath for 15 minutes, then strain. Bring the volume of the decoction to the original volume, i.e. up to 1 cup, adding boiled water. Take 1 glass 4 times a day for 2 weeks, then a 10-day break. Repeat the course 1-2 more times.

For obesity, soapwort, decoction: 1 teaspoon of crushed soapwort root, pour 1 glass of water, boil for 15 minutes over low heat in a sealed container. Leave for 1 hour, then strain. Take 1 glass 3 times a day for 15 days, then take a break for 10 days. For good result repeat the course 2-3 times.

For sore throats, it is also effective to use this collection: we take the roots of soapwort and the leaves of clary sage in a ratio of 1:2, then pour 30 g of the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes, then strain. Use the broth for rinsing.

Soapwort officinalis, contraindications . The plant is poisonous, so ingestion of large doses of soapwort can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In this case, taking soapwort should be stopped immediately.

Total reviews for this topic - 9 Pages - 1

write, who used soapwort for cough, bronchitis? How effective is this?

How to use the root for psoriasis? I really need the recipe!!

To treat psoriasis using soapwort roots, there is the following recipe: soapwort roots, finely chopped and soaked for 5-6 hours in cold water. Periodically (several times) collect and remove the formed foam, then dry the roots. Next, take 1 tsp. with a top of dry soapwort roots (this is 6 g), pour 200 ml of boiling water, cook for 15 minutes, remove from heat and leave for another 12 hours. Use the decoction as a lotion on the affected areas.
There are other recipes for psoriasis using soapwort, but this is a herb: take 3 tbsp. spoons dry and measured. herbs, pour 100 ml of 70% alcohol and leave for 2 weeks. And also apply lotions to the affected areas of the skin.
Or, you can also lubricate the pores. areas with fresh celandine juice, slightly diluting the boil. water.

Soapwort officinalis (wild soap, arapka) is a perennial herbaceous plant family Carnation. It grows in the southern territories of the European part of Russia, in Siberia, and the Caucasus. Soapwort prefers open spaces: meadows, river valleys, unused fields, etc.

Popular in ornamental gardening - many cultivated varieties of soapwort have now been bred. This plant has long been used in folk medicine, and its properties are also recognized by official medicine. Previously, soapwort roots were used instead of soap - hence the name.

Blank

Soapwort officinalis has knotty rhizomes up to 1 cm thick, erect stems up to 70 cm high, simple elliptical or lanceolate leaves. Blooms throughout the summer fragrant flowers, collected in paniculate inflorescences.
In folk medicine, rhizomes and leaves of Soapwort officinalis are used. The rhizomes of soapwort are called “red soap root”.

The roots are harvested in the fall, after the end of the growing season, or in early spring, before it begins: the roots are dug up, washed in cold water, cut into pieces 8-10 cm long and dried in a well-ventilated room or a special dryer at a temperature of no more than 50 ° C .

Dried rhizomes are stored in wooden boxes or fabric bags for no more than three years.

The leaf is harvested during the flowering of soapwort: collected and dried in a well-ventilated area, spread out thin layer, or in the dryer.

Composition and properties

Soapwort officinalis is rich in: glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, pectins, resins, mucilages and essential oil. The leaves also contain alkaloids. Soapwort has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitussive, expectorant, wound-healing, antirheumatic, urinary, diaphoretic and choleretic effects.

In folk medicine, soapwort is used for:

• sore throat, laryngitis, fringitis;
• cough, bronchitis, whooping cough, pneumonia;
• heartburn, nausea;

• diseases of the liver and spleen (jaundice, etc.);
• cholecystitis;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• constipation;
• dropsy;
• rheumatism, gout, arthritis;
• prostate adenoma, prostatitis;
• obesity;
• scabies, lichen, psoriasis, eczema, herpes, furunculosis, purulent wounds;
• hair loss.

Recipes

Infusion:

• 1 tbsp. boiling water

Pour boiling water over the soapwort root, let it brew for 4 hours and strain. Take 2 tablespoons three times daily after meals.

Decoction for rheumatism:

• 1 tsp crushed soapwort root;
• 1 tbsp. hot water.

Fill the soapwort with water and cook for 15 minutes in a water bath. Strain. Add the resulting decoction with boiled water to the original volume. Drink a glass 4 times a day. Recommended course of treatment: 14 days of admission, 10 days of break, then repeat the course 1-2 times. This decoction also helps with rheumatoid arthritis.

Decoction for obesity:

• 1 tsp crushed soapwort root;
• 1 tbsp. hot water.

Pour water over the root and boil for 15 minutes, covered, over low heat. Then let the broth brew for an hour and strain. Drink a glass three times a day. Recommended course of treatment: 15 days on, 10 days off - repeat 2-3 times.
Rinse for sore throat:

• 1 part soapwort root;
• 2 parts sage leaves.

Brew 30 grams of a mixture of soapwort and sage with a glass of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes. Strain. Use as a gargle for sore throat.

Decoction for external use:

• 20 g soapwort root;
• 1 tbsp boiling water.

Pour boiling water over the roots, boil for 5-7 minutes over low heat and strain. Use for rinsing and compresses for skin lesions (herpes, etc.).
Acne lotion:

• 1 tbsp. crushed soapwort root;
• 1 tbsp. boiling water

Pour boiling water over the soapwort root, boil for 5-7 minutes, then strain. Use to wipe acne-affected skin areas.

Soapwort-based shampoo for hair growth:

• 30 g soapwort roots;
• 30 g herb, suitable for the type hair;
• 500 ml boiling water.

Grind the soapwort roots, pour boiling water over them and leave to steep for 12 hours. Then bring the infusion to a boil, boil for 15 minutes, remove from the stove, add the herb of choice and let it brew under the lid for 30-40 minutes.

Strain. The shampoo can be used immediately. If you plan to store it, you can add a preservative - potassium sorbate. The shampoo should be stored in the refrigerator and shaken and warmed before use.
The herb for this shampoo is chosen according to the type of hair: lavender is suitable for oily hair, marshmallow for dry hair, chamomile for light hair, rosemary for dark hair, etc.
As a result of regular use of this shampoo, hair roots are strengthened, hair loss is reduced, and hair becomes shiny and soft.

Contraindications

Soapwort officinalis belongs to poisonous plants! It is not recommended for children, pregnant women and people with individual intolerance.
Long-term use of soapwort is dangerous, as is exceeding recommended dosages. medicines prepared on its basis. In case of overdose, the following may occur: side effects: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth, chills, cramps, cough, etc.