Saponins

Saponins are glycosides found widely among medicinal plants which, like soap, form a leather when mixed with water.

Soapwort has a high saponin content and can be used to make a natural soap. Saponins have a wide variety of different therapeutic actions in the body. Some, such as in cowslips and mullein, have an expectorant effect; others, such as in horestail and asparagus, act as diuretics. Some, as in horse chesnut, benefit the circulatory system, reducing fragility of the blood vessel walls.

The most interesting and most appropriate for treating a wide variety of women's problems are the steroidal saponins. There are similar in structure and function to human sex hormones, produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and in men by the testes. There are steroidal saponins which resemble estrogen, cortisone, cholesterol, and progesterone and there are some known as tri-terpenoid saponins which act to regulate the steroidal hormone activity in the body to counter stress.

Remedies which contain hormone regulating properties are known as "adaptogens", the most famous of which is ginseng. Other adaptogen herbs include: false unicorn root, partridge, berry, blue and bloack cohosh, wild yarn and licorice.