Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Soapwort
Saponaria officinalis
This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 1 pharmacological action, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
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.
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for cough, bronchitis and upper-respiratory catarrh (saponins stimulate the cough reflex and loosen mucus) - largely an outdated use
more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →Expectorant for cough, bronchitis and upper-respiratory catarrh (saponins stimulate the cough reflex and loosen mucus) - largely an outdated use
more plants for cough →detailed sources →Topical cleansing/soothing for skin ailments (the saponins act as a natural soap; traditional for eczema)
more plants for detox / cleansing →detailed sources →Topical cleansing/soothing for skin ailments (the saponins act as a natural soap; traditional for eczema)
more plants for eczema →detailed sources →Expectorant for cough, bronchitis and upper-respiratory catarrh (saponins stimulate the cough reflex and loosen mucus) - largely an outdated use
more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →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Internal use should only be under professional supervision; its expectorant use is now largely outdated.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.
References
REF-1025, REF-1026, REF-1027, REF-1028, REF-1029, REF-1030, REF-1031, REF-1032, REF-1033, REF-1034References & 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
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