The saponins are found in many plants, but first got their name from the soapwort plant or Saponaria officinalis, the roots of which were traditionally used as a natural soap.
It received its name from the Latin, sapo, meaning soap. These saponins are the plant’s “immune system”. Saponins are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and many of these saponin-producing plants have soap as a part of their name:
• Soapwort – Saponaria officinalis
• Soaproot – Chloragalum pomeridianum
• Soapbark – Saponaria officinalis
• Soapnut – Sapindus mukorossi
The presence of the Latin name, saponaria, might also be a clue to the saponin content of the plant.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
