White Soapwort

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

White soapwort is an herb. Its name comes from the fact that Franciscan and Dominican monks in the Middle Ages considered soapwort a divine gift that was meant to keep them clean. The root is used to make medicine.

People take white soapwort for cough, bronchitis, and swelling (inflammation) of the upper airways and lungs.

White soapwort is sometimes applied directly to the skin for ongoing (chronic) skin problems and eczema.

Don't confuse white soapwort with red soapwort.

How does it work?

White soapwort has chemicals that help to break up chest congestion by thinning mucous and making it easier to cough up.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Cough.
• Bronchitis.
• Swelling (inflammation) of the upper airways and lungs.
• Skin problems such as eczema.
• Other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

White soapwort seems safe for most adults when taken by mouth appropriately. It can cause stomach irritation, nausea, and vomiting.

Stomach and intestinal irritation: White soapwort might make stomach and intestinal problems worse.

The appropriate dose of white soapwort depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for white soapwort. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.