Saponaria officinalis Health Dictionary

Linn.

Family: Caryophyllaceae.

Habitat: Native to temperate region of Europe; introduced in Indian gardens.

English: Bouncing Bet, Soapwort.

Action: Roots—blood purifier, cholagogue, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic. Roots and leaves— used for scrofula and skin diseases. Sap used as a depurative for scabies, furuncles, hepatic eruptions and venereal ulcers (as a lotion). Plant— employed for jaundice (to increase bile flow); also in respiratory disorders (bronchitis, sore throat).

Key application: Root—in catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract. (German Commission E.)

The plant contains saponin, sapo- toxin and saponarin. The root contains sapotoxin (4-5%) and saporubrinic acid. Saponin content of the root is highest (7.7-8.2%) just before flowering stage and the lowest (about 3%) during the flowering period. The bark yield 0.8% of saponin. The leaves contain saponarin. Youngest leaves show the highest haemolytic activity.

Aqueous extract of the plant exhibit antibacterial activity.