Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Soapwort vs Great Mullein
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Soapwort and Great Mullein: they share 4 indicated uses (bronchitis, cough, respiratory support, …); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Soapwort | Great Mullein | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronchitis | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cough | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Great Mullein |
| Respiratory support | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Great Mullein |
| Skin irritation | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Great Mullein |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Surfactant compounds giving the soapy, expectorant and irritant properties; their surface activity has been confirmed experimentally, with Saponaria officinalis saponins forming stable oil-in-water nanoemulsions.
Anti-inflammatory iridoids contributing to the plant's traditional respiratory and anti-inflammatory use.
Mucilage gives the soothing demulcent action; saponins contribute to the traditional expectorant effect.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Expectorant for cough, bronchitis and upper-respiratory catarrh (saponins stimulate the cough reflex and loosen mucus) - largely an outdated use
Expectorant for cough, bronchitis and upper-respiratory catarrh (saponins stimulate the cough reflex and loosen mucus) - largely an outdated use
Topical cleansing/soothing for skin ailments (the saponins act as a natural soap; traditional for eczema)
Topical cleansing/soothing for skin ailments (the saponins act as a natural soap; traditional for eczema)
Expectorant for cough, bronchitis and upper-respiratory catarrh (saponins stimulate the cough reflex and loosen mucus) - largely an outdated use
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
SERIOUS: the saponins are irritant and can cause haemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). Never take soapwort in large doses or for prolonged periods. Internal use can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation (cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea).
Internal use should only be under professional supervision; its expectorant use is now largely outdated. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Generally considered safe for short-term use. The tiny hairs on the leaves can cause irritation if tea is not properly filtered. No significant drug interactions documented. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to lack of safety data.
Duke (2002) rates mullein as ++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for its expectorant activity, consistent with Commission E approval for catarrh and inflammation of the respiratory tract. It functions as a demulcent and emollient for mucous membranes. Traditionally used for bronchitis, asthma, and earaches (oil infusion). Dose: 1.5–2 g dried flower or leaf as tea, three to four times daily. Duke notes an antiviral (antiherpetic) activity at the experimental level. The plant is generally well-tolerated with no known significant contraindications at therapeutic doses (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Perennial herb (Caryophyllaceae), 30-90 cm tall, with erect, smooth or slightly hairy stems. Leaves are opposite, elliptical to lance-shaped, with 3-5 prominent veins. Clusters of fragrant, pale pink to white, five-petalled flowers are borne at the stem tips. The root system is creeping and rhizomatous.[12]
Tall, stately biennial herb forming a low first-year rosette of large, soft, thick, densely woolly grey-green leaves; in the second year it sends up a single, tall, unbranched flowering spike densely packed with bright yellow, five-petalled flowers that open a few at a time.[1]
Habitat
Native to Europe and western Asia and widely naturalised elsewhere; grows on riverbanks, roadsides, waste ground and damp meadows, often near old settlements, reflecting its historic cultivation as a source of soap.[12]
Grows on dry, sunny waste ground, roadsides, disturbed soil and rocky slopes; native to Europe, North Africa and Asia and widely naturalised in North America and elsewhere.[1]
Harvesting
The root is dug in autumn (traditionally from 2-3-year-old plants), when saponin content is highest; aerial parts are cut during the growing season.[12]
The flowers are picked individually as they open through summer (since they open only a few at a time and quickly fade once picked); leaves are gathered from the first-year rosette or second-year plant and dried, with care to filter out the fine leaf hairs, which can irritate the throat if not strained from tea.[1]
Traditional Uses
Soapwort takes its name from its traditional use as a natural, gentle soap - the root, crushed and agitated in water, produces a lathering saponin solution historically used for washing delicate fabrics and, topically, for skin conditions like eczema. Internal use as an expectorant for cough is an older tradition now considered outdated given the irritant, haemolytic risk of concentrated saponins.[11, 12]
Great mullein has a long European and Native American tradition as a soothing demulcent and expectorant remedy for cough, bronchitis and irritated airways, and the flower has also been infused in oil as a traditional remedy for earache; the soft, woolly leaf gave rise to old names like 'flannel leaf' and 'velvet plant'.[1, 2]
Preparations
Crushed root simmered in water to produce a lathering, gentle cleansing wash for skin and delicate textiles.
Dried aerial parts or diluted root steeped in hot water; internal use only under professional supervision given real toxicity risk.
Dried flower or leaf infused in hot water and carefully strained (to remove fine irritant hairs) as a traditional demulcent cough and respiratory tea.
Dosage
Given the real risk of haemolysis and gastrointestinal irritation from concentrated saponins, internal use should only be undertaken under professional supervision, at low doses and for short periods; topical/external use as a wash is the safer traditional application. Educational reference only, not a prescription; never take in large or prolonged doses.
The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-2 g of the flower in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, three to four times daily (daily dose 4.5-8 g), in adolescents, adults and elderly; the infusion should be carefully strained to remove the irritant hairs. The monograph covers the FLOWER (Verbasci flos) only — it gives no posology for the leaf. Not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Grzywaczyk, A., Smulek, W. and Kaczorek, E (2024) 'Saponaria officinalis saponins as a factor increasing permeability of Candida yeasts' biomembrane', World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology, 40(5), pp. 152. doi:10.1007/s11274-024-03961-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-024-03961-9 - Smulek, W., Zdarta, A., Pacholak, A., Zgola-Grzeskowiak, A. and others (2016) 'Saponaria officinalis L. extract: Surface active properties and impact on environmental bacterial strains', Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 150, pp. 209-215. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.11.035 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.11.035 - Jurek, I., Szuplewska, A., Chudy, M. and Wojciechowski, K (2021) 'Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.) Extract vs. Synthetic Surfactants - Effect on Skin-Mimetic Models', Molecules, 26(18), pp. 5628. doi:10.3390/molecules26185628 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26185628 - Yu, G.R., Lim, D.W., Karunarathne, W.A.H.M., Kim, G.Y. and others (2022) 'A non-polar fraction of Saponaria officinalis L. acted as a TLR4/MD2 complex antagonist and inhibited TLR4/MyD88 signaling in vitro and in vivo', FASEB Journal, 36(7), pp. e22387. doi:10.1096/fj.202200018RR Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202200018RR - Hedayati, A., Naseri, F., Nourozi, E., Hosseini, B. and others (2022) 'Response of Saponaria officinalis L. hairy roots to the application of TiO2 nanoparticles in terms of production of valuable polyphenolic compounds and SO6 protein', Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 178, pp. 80-92. doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.03.001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.03.001 - Sefrioui, M.R., El Othmani, I.S., Filali, H., Derfoufi, S. and others (2021) 'Evaluation of spermicidal activity of saponosides from Saponaria officinalis (Caryophyllaceae), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Fabaceae) and Herniaria glabra (Caryophyllaceae)', Medicine and Pharmacy Reports, 94(2), pp. 239-247. doi:10.15386/mpr-1879 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.15386/mpr-1879 - Petrovic, G.M., Ilic, M.D., Stankov-Jovanovic, V.P., Stojanovic, G.S. and Jovanovic, S.C (2017) 'Phytochemical analysis of Saponaria officinalis L. shoots and flowers essential oils', Natural Product Research, 32(3), pp. 331-334. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1350668 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1350668 - Ashurova, L.N., Khurramov, A.R., Bobakulov, K.M., Sasmakov, S.A. and others (2025) 'A new withanolide from Saponaria officinalis and its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities', Natural Product Research, 40(9), pp. 2392-2401. doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2472276 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2025.2472276 - Bolshakov, A.P., Stepanichev, M.Y., Dobryakova, Y.V., Spivak, Y.S. and Markevich, V.A (2020) 'Saporin from Saponaria officinalis as a Tool for Experimental Research, Modeling, and Therapy in Neuroscience', Toxins (Basel), 12(9), pp. 546. doi:10.3390/toxins12090546 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12090546 - Nujkic, M., Milic, S., Spalovic, B., Dardas, A. and others (2020) 'Saponaria officinalis L. and Achillea millefolium L. as possible indicators of trace elements pollution caused by mining and metallurgical activities in Bor, Serbia', Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 27(36), pp. 44969-44982. doi:10.1007/s11356-020-10371-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10371-5 - Drugs.com (n.d.) 'Soapwort Uses, Benefits & Dosage'. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/npp/soapwort.html Traditional / reference
https://www.drugs.com/npp/soapwort.html - MedicineNet (n.d.) 'Soapwort Root: Eczema Uses, Benefits, Side Effects'. Available at: https://www.medicinenet.com/soapwort/article.htm Traditional / reference
https://www.medicinenet.com/soapwort/article.htm - Jarzebski, M., Siejak, P., Smulek, W., Fathordoobady, F., Guo, Y. and others (2020) 'Plant Extracts Containing Saponins Affects the Stability and Biological Activity of Hempseed Oil Emulsion System', Molecules, 25(11). doi:10.3390/molecules25112696 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25112696
- Turker, A.U. and Gurel, E (2005) 'Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research', Phytotherapy Research, 19(9), pp. 733-739. doi:10.1002/ptr.1653 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1653 - Gupta, A., Atkinson, A.N., Pandey, A.K. and Bishayee, A (2022) 'Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review', Phytotherapy Research, 36(4), pp. 1507-1522. doi:10.1002/ptr.7393 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7393 - Ali, N., Ali Shah, S.W., Shah, I., Ahmed, G. and others (2012) 'Anthelmintic and relaxant activities of Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12, pp. 29. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-29 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-29 - Mahdavi, S., Amiradalat, M., Babashpour, M., Sheikhlooei, H. and others (2020) 'The Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic and Antimicrobial Properties of Verbascum thapsus L', Medicinal Chemistry, 16(7), pp. 991-995. doi:10.2174/1573406415666190828155951 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1573406415666190828155951 - Kashan, Z.F., Arbabi, M., Delavari, M., Hooshyar, H. and others (2015) 'Effect of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract on induction of apoptosis in Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro', Infectious Disorders Drug Targets, 15(2), pp. 125-130. doi:10.2174/1871526515666150724114924 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871526515666150724114924 - Chen, S., Liu, H., Wang, S., Jiang, H. and others (2022) 'The Neuroprotection of Verbascoside in Alzheimer's Disease Mediated through Mitigation of Neuroinflammation via Blocking NF-kappaB-p65 Signaling', Nutrients, 14(7), pp. 1417. doi:10.3390/nu14071417 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071417 - Bampidis, V., Azimonti, G., Bastos, M.L. and others (EFSA FEEDAP Panel) (2021) 'Safety of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from Verbascum thapsus L. (great mullein tincture) for use in all animal species (MANGHEBATI SAS)', EFSA Journal, 19(7), pp. e06711. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6711 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6711 - Blanco-Salas, J., Hortigon-Vinagre, M.P., Morales-Jadan, D. and Ruiz-Tellez, T (2021) 'Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae)', Biology, 10(7), pp. 618. doi:10.3390/biology10070618 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10070618 - Taleb, S. and Saeedi, M (2021) 'The effect of Verbascum thapsus on episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women: a randomized controlled trial', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), pp. 166. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03339-6 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03339-6 - Soto, K.M., Luzardo-Ocampo, I., Lopez-Romero, J.M., Mendoza, S. and others (2022) 'Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized with Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) Ethanolic Extracts Displayed Antiproliferative Effects and Induced Caspase 3 Activity in Human HT29 and SW480 Cancer Cells', Pharmaceutics, 14(10), pp. 2069. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14102069 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14102069 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Verbascum thapsus L., V. densiflorum Bertol. and V. phlomoides L., flos (Verbasci flos)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/verbasci-flos Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/verbasci-flos - Oliff, H.S. and Blumenthal, M (2003) 'Great mullein', pp. 30--31. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Great%20mullein - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Turker, A.U. and Gurel, E (2005) 'Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research', 19(9), pp. 733--739. doi:10.1002/ptr.1653 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1653 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Lin, C.C. and Yang, C.C. and Phua, D.H. and Deng, J.F. and Lu, L.H (2010) 'An outbreak of foxglove leaf poisoning', Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 73(2), pp. 97-100. doi:10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5 - Janssen, R.M. and Berg, M. and Ovakim, D.H (2016) 'Two cases of cardiac glycoside poisoning from accidental foxglove ingestion', CMAJ, 188(10), pp. 747-750. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150676 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.150676 - Woodland Trust (2024) 'Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)'. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/ Traditional / reference
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/ - NC State Extension (2024) 'Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbascum-thapsus/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbascum-thapsus/
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.