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SOAPWORT SAPONARIA
OFFICINALIS It cures gonorrhoea by taking the inspissated juice of it to the amount of half an ounce(14 g) a day. A herbaceous perennial plant growing about two feet (60 cm) high with sharp-pointed leaves with large pale pink flowers. Where to find it: Fairly common on roadsides, hedgerows, in watery places and near rivers. Flowering time: Early summer. Astrology: Venus owns this plant. Medicinal virtues: The whole plant is bitter. Bruised and agitated with water, it raises a lather like soap, which washes greasy spots out of clothes. A decoction of it, applied externally, cures the itch. Modern uses: Use cautiously because of its soapy taste and purgative properties. A decoction of the root is used as a wash to treat irritating skin conditions. Taken internally the expectorant properties help respiratory infections. The dose is 2-4 fl Oz (50- 100 ml) a day. This medicine is also useful in jaundice and for venereal disease. Soapwort is not without side-effects including dry mouth, tremor and tongue paralysis, if allowed to rnacerate for too long. It is best to boil the root for a few minutes only and strain immediately. |