# 9 on the list is bouncing bet or soapwort.
soapwort is found along roadsides, old right of ways, railroad tracks.....it can be a pest in some areas.
some folks like to have this stuff in there flower gardens.
it grows to about 2 -2 1/2 feet tall................the flowers are white to pinkish white.......they are in full bloom right now which is late june.
only the root is harvested.
you can dig this with either a rounpoint shovel or a spade...it depends on the soil conditions....i've dug this stuff in cinders where the digging was easy....and i've dug it in clay which sucks.
wash it in clear, cool fresh water.........i use an old plastic tote to wash it in.
it can be dried in full sun, on screens......or sheets of tin,,,,provided that the roots are turned often to make sure all sides are dried.
after drying.......store the roots in paper sacks or cardboard boxes and keep in a cool dry place.
as i've said before...never store any root or herbs in plastic,,,,,,,,plastic draws and traps moisture.
soapwort has many uses............it's main name soapwort.......comes from it's ability to actually make soap.
it's used in europe it is used as a diuretic, laxative, expectorant.....also used for skin problems like acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis,and poison ivy rash
