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Sapindus Mukorossi is the genus name of the tree producing Soap nuts. These are small shrubs usually seen growing in tropical and temperate climatic conditions and bears fruits called Soapberries. The nuts contain a constituent known as Saponin, which is considered to be an organic surface active agent very vitally used in the manufacture of soaps and detergents, thus it gets the name Soap nuts. In ancient times, Soap nuts are used as an ayurvedic product for the treatment of ailments like psoriasis, eczema, acne and sometimes for ephelis skin conditions. Despite its health care benefits, soap nut applications are widely implied on personal care.
In the manufacturing process of soap, nut shells of the soapberries are crushed into powder and aqueous liquid containing Saponin constituent is extracted. Soap industries make use of this liquid as an alternative constituent for chemical surfactants for organic preparation of soaps. The purpose of soap nuts also plays a main role in detergent production. A soap nut tree has a maximum life span of about 75 years, and it is worth growing at the backyard of your house. Soap nut recipes can be homemade and used for cleaning as well as washing clothes. Germicidal property of Soap nuts helps in getting rid of germs and acts as a disinfectant clearing the dead cells from the body in an organic way.
Here are some tips for using Soap nuts as personal care:
- Soak 2 nuts in few ml of water and leave it for few hours. The nuts get swollen and become soft. Take the soaked nuts and rub it in your palms. A soapy liquid like substance is obtained. Use that liquid for cleaning your face or body.
- If you need more soap liquid soak more nuts in a proportionate amount of water and leave it for few days. The water becomes aqueous. Drain the liquid and store it in a refrigerator to keep it for a longer duration.
- Keep the nuts in a stain cloth and add few drops of fragrant oil to it for odor. Try to use the nuts for at least 2 to three washes by recycling it.
- Use soft water instead of hard water because the quantity of soap nuts needed for soft water is less than in hard water.
- Soap nuts can also be used on pets for cleaning them instead of synthetic pet soaps.
Author: Adam Teaser - neem
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