Read soapwort

The red soapwort belongs to the clove family (Caryophyllaceae), is a herbaceous plant 40-80 cm tall, with pink, carnation-like, cushion or carpet-like flowers, shallow roots with runners. Flowering time: June to October, fruit ripening: September to October.

The root is used phytotherapeutically, see Saponaria rubrae radix.

Commission E Monograph: for the root: see under Saponariae rubrae radix

Herbal medicine: as an expectorant, diuretic, cholagogue, antirheumatic, externally for skin diseases and catarrh.

Cosmetics: Saponaria offcinalis extract (INCI), the drug from the roots and leaves, is used as a natural surfactant in cosmetic formulations. Its use is not recommended due to its toxic and sensitizing effects:

1. https://www.naturadb.de/pflanzen/gattung/seifenkraeuter/
2. Montag A (2023) Plants and skin. Springer-Verlag GmbH. P. 881-882. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63014-3_7
3. https://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/saponaria_officinalis/seifenkraut.htm