Soapwort; Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis L.)

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Medicinal uses: Decoction applied externally to treat itchy skin; one of the saponins in this plant is proving of interest in the treatment of cancer (cytotoxic to Walker carcinoma in vitro). A soap can be obtained by boiling the whole plant.

Part used medicinally: Root; whole plant

Native origin: Europe