Saponin

[Sarah]

A poisonous glucoside found in many plants, as in the root ofsoapwort (Saponaria), in the bark of soap bark (Quillaia), etc. It isextracted as a white amorphus powder, which occasions a soapy latherin solution, and produces a local anæstesia. Formerly called alsostruthiin, quilaiin, senegin, polygalic acid, etc. By extension, anyone of a group of related bodies of which saponin proper is the type.