Saponins are believed to be useful in the human diet for controlling cholesterol, but some (including those produced by the soapberry) are poisonous if swallowed and can cause urticaria (skin rash) in many people. Any markedly toxic saponin is known as a sapotoxin. It is not only effective in decontamination, foaming, emulsification, decentralization and saturation, but also with function of diminishing inflammation, easing pain and resisting epiphyte, which is widely used in food, drink, chemical, medicine, pesticide, rubber, film, building materials, extinguish material, hair care
They produce foam: with strong ability of absorbing carbon dioxide, tea saponin not only can be used as foam for foam rubber in rubber industry, for foam fire extinguisher in fire industry, but also can be replacement of other industry material, such as foam stabilizer in concrete industry to deduct manufacturing cost, accelerating-foam for cold drink and beer industry. Saponins have commercial applications such as ore separation in industrial and mining operations, and are useful in products such as photographic emulsions, cosmetics, and shampoos.
With function of relieving a cough and dispelling phlegm, tea saponin can stimulate human windpipe mucous membrane, increase secretion. It can also be used as diuretic and medicating emulsifier. In the diet, phytochemical saponins have a wide spectrum of activity as antifungal and antibacterial agents, lowering of blood cholesterol, and inhibition of cancer cell growth.
Besides, it can also be nature and organic pesticide in agriculture industry.