Content
- 1 What does the botanical description of the medicinal soap look like?
- 2 Where does the herb of the herbal remedy grow?
- 3 The chemical composition of the plant soapwort officinalis
- 4 Beneficial features
- 5 Cooking methods
- 6 Application in traditional medicine
- 7 Application in cosmetology
- 8 Contraindications
- 9 Collection and procurement
- 10 Conclusion
Medicinal soap is an unpretentious plant that takes root well in almost any conditions. The beneficial properties of saponaria make it possible to use it not only to decorate the backyard, but also in the treatment of certain diseases.
Saponaria officinalis - a fairly tall plant
What does the botanical description of the medicinal soap look like?
Saponaria officinalis (Saponaria officinalis) is a perennial belonging to the Clove. The Russian name comes from "sapo", which means "soap" in Latin. In addition, the people call saponaria Tatar soap, tear-grass, red root.
Numerous stems of soapwort officinalis are knotty, straight or branched in the upper part. May be naked or downy. The stem length varies from 30 to 80 cm.
Lanceolate leaves are entire, without stipules, pointed in the upper third. The length of the leaf plate of the saponaria is 5-12 cm, and the width is 1-4 cm. In the upper third of the shoot, the leaves are opposite-sessile, in the lower one - petiolar. 3 longitudinal veins are clearly visible on the leaf plate.
The inflorescence of soapwort officinalis, as seen in the photo, is multi-flowered, corymbose-paniculate. Medium-sized white or white-pink flowers consist of five elongated petals with small marigolds and a crown (crown) located at the base of the limb. The petals are whole-edged, with a barely noticeable notch at the apex. In the middle of the flower basket there are ten stamens arranged in two circles, as well as one pistil with two filiform posts and an upper ovary. The calyx of the flower is spine-leaved, bell-shaped or tubular, does not have sharp ribs and spinous leaves at the base, the perianth is double.
Soap flowers look like stars
The fruit of the saponaria is an oblong, four-toothed, poly-seeded box. Seeds are small, obtuse, almost black in color.
The root system is highly branched, creeping. The roots are curved, somewhat knobby, of a dirty red color.
Soapyka is used for decorating personal plots and preparing medicines for alternative medicine. Saponaria broth is used for washing hair and delicate washing of some things.
Where does the herb of the herbal remedy grow?
Science knows 15 types of soapwort. In Russia, you can find a certain part. The most popular is the medicinal soap, which grows in regions with a temperate climate. In nature, the flower can be seen on the high-mountainous rocky slopes and plateaus of European countries.On the territory of the former USSR, saponaria grows in the Caucasus, as well as in the countries of Central Asia. In the Russian Federation - in almost all regions, except for the cold northern ones. Saponaria does not grow in coniferous forests either.
Favorite places of the medicinal soap are flood meadows and forest glades, valleys and river banks. Saponaria can often be found in weedy fields, roadsides and on the streets.
The soapwort grows even in thickets of grass
The chemical composition of the plant soapwort officinalis
The basis of the chemical composition of saponaria officinalis is formed by the substances present in it.
The roots, leaves, flowers and stems of the plant contain:
- About 25% of saponins foaming in ordinary water like soap - saponarosides, saporubins, salinic acid. Most of the saponins are in the rhizome of the plant.
- Carbohydrates - vitamin C, gencibiosis, oligosaccharides.
- Flavonoids (saponarin). These substances contain saponaria leaves.
Beneficial features
Due to the content of saponins, medicinal soapwort has gained authority among herbalists. Healing agents prepared from the roots and vegetative parts of saponaria have a diaphoretic, choleretic, diuretic and expectorant effect.
Due to the antibacterial properties of soapwort, herbalists use it as an antiseptic and wound healing agent.
As an adjuvant, medicinal soapwort provides a good effect in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory and digestive organs. Products made on the basis of saponaria help to get rid of skin ailments, heal wounds and stop hair loss.
Saponaria root can be purchased at the pharmacy
Cooking methods
Medicines are made from the rhizome and vegetative parts of the plant, which are used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. The process of their preparation is not particularly difficult.
Tincture
To prepare a tincture of medicinal soapwort, crushed dry raw materials are poured with 40% alcohol or vodka in a ratio of 1x10 and infused for 10 days at room temperature, shaking occasionally. The finished tincture is kept for another 3 days in a cool place (at a temperature of 8 ° C), after which it is filtered and used for its intended purpose.
Infusion
Unlike tinctures, soapwort infusion is made without the use of alcohol. The drug is prepared both from fresh raw materials and from dry ones.
Infusion from dry raw materials
For the preparation of the infusion 1 tsp. crushed dry roots of soapwort medicinal are poured into a glass jar and 1 tbsp. warm water (boiled). The container is tightly closed with a lid and wrapped in something warm (terry towel, woolen scarf or shawl) and left for 8-10 hours. In the process of infusion, the jar is periodically shaken. The finished composition is filtered.
Infusion of soapwort can be used as an adjunct to drug treatment for different types of hepatitis and cholecystitis, stomach and intestinal ailments. This remedy will help relieve the manifestations of rheumatism and joint pain.
The infusion is used as a gargle for the throat in case of catarrhal sore throat, or as drops in the nose for congestion.
Infusion from fresh raw materials
To prepare the product, the roots of the medicinal soapwort are cleaned of soil lumps, washed thoroughly and cut into small pieces. The raw materials prepared in this way are poured with plain water (to completely cover the roots) and left to soak. After one hour, the water is poured out and new is poured in for an hour too. After that, 2 tbsp of the soaked root is poured into 2 tbsp. hot water, wrap and leave to infuse for 4 hours.
This infusion is effective as a diuretic as well as a choleretic agent. It is used to treat all kinds of edema.
Decoction
Healing broth is made both from one soap dish and with the addition of other components. There are several options for cooking recipes.
Broth from the roots of soapwort
To prepare a decoction, 6 g of finely chopped dry rhizomes of saponaria are poured into 250 ml of hot water and boiled for 30 minutes over low heat.
After that, the broth is infused for half an hour, filtered and used for its intended purpose, for example, for rinsing with the development of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
Decoction of soapwort roots with willow bark
In the process of preparing the medicine, chopped willow bark, as well as dry soapwort root, are mixed in equal quantities.
2 tsp the prepared dry mixture is poured with 2 tbsp. hot water. The composition is brought to a boil over high heat, after which the heat is reduced and cooked for another 15 minutes. The broth is removed, insisted for half an hour and filtered.
A decoction of medicinal soapwort with willow bark can be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of tuberculosis, rheumatism, hepatitis, as well as spleen diseases.
For taste, it makes sense to add a few drops of lemon juice to the broth.
Tea
Considering the expectorant effect of soapwort, a hot drink from this plant is recommended by supporters of alternative medicine as an effective remedy for dry, tearful cough. Lotions with tea are used to treat dermatological diseases (eczema, furunculosis, lichen, various types of dermatitis), and in the form of a compress and rinse - to improve the condition of the skin and strengthen the hair follicles. In the latter case, the drink is diluted with water in a 1x1 ratio.
For tea 1 tbsp. l. fine dry raw materials saponaria pour 1 tbsp. hot boiled water and leave to infuse for 5-6 hours. After that, the tea is boiled again, filtered and used as directed.
Before preparing a decoction or tincture, the root must be properly prepared
Application in traditional medicine
In official medicine, medicinal soapwort is practically not used. But traditional healers use the plant to treat various diseases.
For the treatment of furunculosis
Furunculosis is a disease characterized by the appearance of pustular rashes on the skin. The antiseptic properties of soapwort make it possible to use this plant in the process of its treatment.
To get rid of purulent formations on the surface of the skin, lotions or compresses from a decoction or infusion of saponaria will help. The principle of the procedures is almost the same: in the first case, a tampon soaked in the preparation is applied to the affected area of the skin, and in the second - a cloth, which is covered with plastic wrap and a warm cloth (scarf or blanket).
The compress and lotions from the root decoction are removed after they are completely dry
Psoriasis treatment
Psoriasis is a chronic, non-infectious skin disorder with pink, scaly patches.
In the course of treatment, herbalists recommend compresses, baths and ointment with soapy water.
Compresses
Gauze folded in several layers is moistened in a decoction or water infusion of soapwort and applied to the affected area of the skin. Cover the compress with plastic wrap and wrap it with a scarf or blanket. The bandage is left to dry completely.
Baths
In the case of extensive foci of psoriasis, baths with a decoction of soapwort will help alleviate the patient's condition. To do this, the roots and herb of saponaria medicinal are crushed and poured with cold water for 1 hour, so that the agent is infused.After that, the resulting foam is removed, and the infusion is boiled for 10 minutes, removed from the heat and filtered. Fill the bath 1/3 with warm water and pour the broth into it (the higher the concentration, the better). The bath is taken before bedtime. The duration of treatment is approximately 12-15 daily procedures. After a while, it can be repeated.
For a bath, you can use a ready-made herbal preparation from a pharmacy
Ointment
To make the ointment, 10 g of dry powder from the root, as well as soapworm leaves, are combined with 100 g of animal fat (ideally, goose or pork fat).
Ointment made from dry raw materials of soapwort is also suitable for the treatment of other skin diseases.
It is necessary to treat problem areas with the resulting herbal ointment twice a day.
From nausea
To eliminate nausea, 10 g of small dry raw materials of soapwort and 30 g of St. John's wort are poured into 5 tbsp. water and cook for about 5 minutes. The finished broth is cooled, filtered and taken in 1 tbsp. twice a day.
Toothache treatment
Saponaria will also help when your teeth hurt. To do this, a piece of root is chewed and kept in the mouth until the pain disappears.
With gallstone disease
Taking infusion of soapwort helps to improve the outflow of bile and relieve the symptoms of gallstone disease.
In the process of preparing the product, 5 g of medicinal soapwort is combined with 15 g of St. John's wort, everything is poured with a glass of hot boiled water and insisted for 5 hours in a dark place.
In combination with St. John's wort, saponaria has double effectiveness against gastrointestinal diseases
For herpes
A decoction of soapwort (saponaria) medicinal can be an effective remedy in the fight against the manifestations of herpes. For the manufacture of a healing agent, 20 g of dry and well-crushed raw materials are placed in a glass jar and 500-550 mg of cold water are poured. The water composition is brought to a boil and cooked over low heat for 5-7 minutes. The finished broth is cooled and filtered. In the course of treatment, a piece of sterile bandage folded 2-3 times is moistened in broth and applied to the problem area. Ideally, do the procedure as often as possible.
Application in cosmetology
Lotions from a warm broth of saponaria will help remove bags and dark circles under the eyes. And the soap from the soap will improve the condition of the skin of the face.
Medicinal soap for hair washing
Using a decoction of saponaria when shampooing helps to improve the structure of the hair, prevent hair loss and breakage.
A decoction of soapwort of high concentration can be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of total or partial alopecia (baldness). To do this, using a cotton swab or bandage, rub the liquid into the scalp. After two hours, the head is washed with warm water and shampoo suitable for the hair type. With focal alopecia, the agent is rubbed into the area of problem areas of the scalp.
A decoction of soapwort medicinal will improve the complexion with regular rubbing in the morning and evening
Contraindications
The saponins that are part of the medicinal soapwort have a local irritating property, this can cause problems with the work of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore the plant is among the poisonous. Special care should be taken when taking funds made from saponaria. Drinking such drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor in the form of an addition to the main treatment and strictly in the prescribed doses.
Self-medication, like overdose, can provoke troubles such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The appearance of alarming symptoms should be a signal for immediate discontinuation of the drug and a visit to a specialist.
Collection and procurement
Saponaria root is mainly used as a medicinal raw material. It must be harvested when the plant is dormant - in the spring before the beginning of the growing season or in the fall after flowering.
The dug roots are cleaned of soil residues, washed thoroughly with cold water, cut off small shoots and dried at a temperature not exceeding + 50 ° C. Finished raw materials are packed in a dense fabric bag or cardboard box and stored in a dry place.
For the preparation of some products, the foliage of the soapwort is used. It is harvested during flowering. The leaves are dried in the same way as the rhizomes.
Dried leaves do not lose their beneficial properties
Conclusion
Medicinal soap is a herb that can help relieve the symptoms of certain diseases. And with elementary care, a lush and fragrant saponaria can become a real decoration of one of the corners of the personal plot.
