Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
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Member of the Pink family. Hardy perennial, also known as Bouncing Bett (perhaps referring to the plump washerwomen who washed using the soap from the plant!) growing to 1 –3 ft (30 - 92 cm). Name comes from the Latin “sapo”, meaning soap. Soapwort was originally grown near woollen mills so it was handy for washing wool. Plants have also been found near the sites of old Roman baths. Flowers smell like Cloves.
The plant is rich in saponins which produce a lather in water. Crushing the roots and leaves and shaking them in warm water will create this effect. Not just used for making soap, the plant can also be used to make a shampoo for dry, itchy scalp – although try to avoid getting shampoo in the eyes as it can irritate them. Leaves can also be crushed and rubbed on the hands to make a soap. To make soap, chop the whole plant and boil it in water for about twenty minutes and strain. If making a shampoo, add, for example, some lavender water to make it smell nice. The best soap is obtained by infusing the plant in warm water.
Soapwort was used to wash the Turin Shroud. Still used today in cleaning old fabrics. This probably helped in its preservation because Soapwort contains a fungicide. It was used in the Middle Ages to treat venereal disease and was also sniffed to induce sneezing – sneezing was believed to ease illness. Has also been used for treating lung and liver problems. In Switzerland some farmers was their sheep with Soapwort before shearing. Roots have been known to knock out fish to make them easy to catch – for this reason it may be a good idea not to grow Soapwort close to fish ponds. Has also been added during beer-making processes to form a head on the beer. Gypsies would apply a decoction of root to a bruised or black eye to remove coloration. A decoction of the plant can be applied externally to treat itchy skin, eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils.
Plant is used in healing spells and rituals. Native American Indians would make a poultice from it for spleen pain.
Soapwort is found naturally beside streams and in damp woods and hedgerows (also known as Hedge Pink) and bears sprays of pink flowers. Spreads quite well and flowers June to September. Butterflies find it attractive. Plant flops gracefully after a while. Food plant of the Marbled Clover moth.
Cut down to ground level late autumn.
CAUTION – PLANT IS TOXIC SO DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY – saponins, in excess, can destroy red blood cells and cause paralysis of the vasomotor centre
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*