Saponaria officinalis 'Soapwort'

[Ex. Norfolk, England]

Caryophyllaceae: a straggling, hairless perennial with brittle stems to 1m. found on roadside verges and waste ground, and in damp woodland. The flowers are pink, 25-35mm across, blooming June-August. The leaves are narrowly oval, distinctly veined. Possibly native in a few sites but mainly a naturalised garden escape. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia, south and east to Spain and temperate Asia.

USES:

Soapwort's main medicinal use is as an expectorant. Its strongly irritant action within the gut is thought to stimulate the cough reflex and increase the production of a more fluid mucus within the respiratory passages. The whole plant, but especially the root, has alterative, antiscrophulatic, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, expectorant, purgative, sternutatory and tonic properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Seed is best if given a short cold stratification. Sow autumn or late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade, preferring a neutral to alkaline soil. Soapwort should not be grown next to a pond with amphibians or fish in it since if the plant trails into the water it can cause poisoning.

HARVESTED:

 

APPROX. 200+ SEEDS