Although both the root and the leaf of this plant have been used medicinally, only the root has a verified clinical effect. In folk medicine the root is used not only for upper respiratory inflammation, but for eczema and other persistent skin problems as well.
Homeopathic practitioners regard it as a remedy for colds.
It can actually be used as a mild detergent for fine fabrics, and was once added to beer to create a frothy head. The plant grows in the temperate regions of North America, Asia, and Europe. Although Soapwort poses no major risks when taken at customary dosage levels, it sometimes irritates the stomach. The leaf of the plant can prove irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. No interactions have been reported.