Soapnut
Monday 30 November -0001
Other Local Name : 0
Botanical Name : Sapindus emarginatus
Family : Sapindaceae
Main Use : Natural Laundry Detergent
Other Uses : Medicine
Know More
Soapnut with its large leaves, is a handsome deciduous tree found in India. This tree belongs to the main plant order Sapindaceae and family Sapindeae
Soapnuts grow on "soapnut trees", mainly in Bangladesh, India, Nepal. The botanic family of the "soap tree plants" includes more than 2,000 species. Sapindus emarginatus is mostly available in Bangladesh. "Sapindus Mukorossi" is grown in North India and Nepal ("soapnut tree of North India"). The "Mukorossi" is also known as "big soapnut". The "Sapindus Trifoliatus" is the "small soapnut" . "Trifoliatus" is widespread in South India ("soapnut tree of South India") where the climate is warmer and milder. It is claimed that Sapindus Mukorossi is the best for soap use.
The dried fruit of Soapnut is most valuable part of the plant. Its fleshy portion contains saponin, which is a good substitute for washing soap. The soapnut which is mainly used for washing purposes can be divided into two different types: The most widespread one is the
The name "Sapindus" speaks for itself and reveals the soapnuts' main characteristic: It contains saponins which have the ability to clean and wash. The fruit of the soapnut tree produces saponins in order to repel varmints, fungus and bacteria. Approximately 15% of the soapnut's shell consists of highly concentrated saponins (= 10% of the whole nut). Saponins has got excellent cleaning capabilities:
It removes dirt from clothing - not only highly-effective but also gentle. Because of its mildness, it preserves the colours and the structure of clothing longer than normal detergents. It's so gentle that it's even not necessary to add a softener: The laundry turns out amazingly soft! Because of these characteristics, soapnuts are the perfect detergent.
Soapnuts remnants can be deposited on a compost heap wiyhout any harmful effect.
Soapnut is absolutely natural. It is gentle to Human hands & body. It removes dirt from clothing - not only highly-effective but also gentle. Because of its mildness, it preserves the colours and the structure of valuable clothing longer than normal detergents. It's so gentle that it's not necessary to add a softener: The laundry turns out amazingly soft! Because of these characteristics, soapnuts are the perfect detergent.
How to use soapnuts ?
Most people use soapnuts as a natural laundry detergent. However, there are myriad uses for soapnuts.
Natural Laundry Detergent
As harvested, soapnuts are a small, round, waxy ball. As they are introduced to water, they release saponin, a natural cleanser. To wash your clothes, simply place 7-8 soapnuts in a small muslin bag , and drop it in the washer. Your clothes will come out clean, with a fresh, natural scent. If you wish to change the scent of your clean laundry, you can add a few drops of essential oils to the wash.
Shampoo
Crumble seven or eight soapnuts into a small saucepan, and add four cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then let simmer for 5-10 minutes. Pour the liquid into a container (an empty shampoo bottle is great), then discard the used soapnuts. By default, soapnut shampoo does not contain many suds. This is not a problem, but a new user may have a tendency to use to much at once. If you want to make your shampoo more 'foamy' (like store-bought shampoo), you can place it in a pump bottle. This shampoo will leave your hair feeling soft and clean. If it feels slightly stiffer than normal when dry, too much shampoo may have been applied. Using less next time will correct the problem.
Powder, Shampoo and Skin Cleaner
Soapnut powder will leave your skin and hair feeling soft and clean. Apply soapnut powder directly while you bathe, or mix it with a little water and put it in a bottle for ease of use.Waschnüsse
Pesticide-Buster
Add a teaspoon of soapnut powder to a bowl of water, and soak your fruits and vegetables. Chemical spray and pesticide residue will be washed away, leaving clean, wholesome food. Be sure to rinse the food before eating.
General Purpose Cleaner
Soapnut can be used to clean almost anything. A little soapnut powder and water goes a long way. Windows, carpets, even the pets can be cleaned using soapnut. PureIndia sells soapnut in its harvested form, but it can be powderized easily using a coffee grinder or a simple pestle and mortar.