Reetha, Aritha, Antvala, soapberries are other common names of soapnut. In Botanical world it is called Sapindus mukoros.  Aritha is dried fruit of sapindus plants.   Soapnut have been used from ages for hair care and is known for its tremendous health benefits particularly for hair. Soapnut – natural soap and shampoo. One of the reasons for using soapnut in shampoo is it is choice of many people who have sensitive skin and scalp.  Soapnut is odorless and hypoallergenic. It contains a compound called saponin which helps hair to keep its texture, shape and lustrous when used regularly. In addition, soapnut is good for skin and has other benefits such as – it is a very good cleaning agent and polishing agent.

It is a good old practice of many Indian household to use soapnut alone or with other herbal ingredients for hair wash and hair care. To remove oil from hair we need a cleansing agent – because oil and water does not mix, and it is difficult to remove oil successfully from hair just by using any products or water. Soapnut contains sapindus molecule that acts as a binding agent between oil and water and mediates the process of removal of oil. Soapnut fruits are nature’s best shampoo and fruits are easily available. Soapnut is preferred choice of people who suffer from hair loss, alopecia, dandruff, hair fall, split hair conditions. It is known to promote hair growth by its restorative action. One can prepare soapnut shampoo at home using following ingredients:

Recipe # 1

• Soapnuts – 5
• Water – 3 cups
• Sesame or coconut oil – 1 tsp

To prepare:

1. Crush soapnut into pieces
2. Boil water and add soapnut pieces
3. After 3-5 minutes turn off the heat and let it cool to room temperature
4. Strain and collect the water. (Do not throw soapnut pieces – keep it aside to use for washing ornaments and silver vessels)
5. Add oil drops to soapnut water and mix.
6. Store soapnut shampoo in a bottle and use it like shampoo whenever you wash hair.

Recipe # 2

• Soapnuts – 5
• Hibiscus young leaves – 8-10 (preferably white or red hibiscus)
• Water- 4 cups
• Sesame or coconut oil – 1 tsp

To prepare:

1. Crush soapnuts into pieces
2. Crush hibiscus leaves
3. Boil water and add soapnut and hibiscus leaves.
4. Continue boiling for five more minutes.
5. Cool and squeeze soapnut and hibiscus leaves. Collect shampoo water.
6. Add oil and wash hair using shampoo water

Recipes # 3

• Amla juice – 2 tsp (or amla powder)
• Soapnuts – 5 to 6
• Shikhakai powder – 2 tsp
• Sesame or coconut oil or olive oil – 2 tsp
• Water – 3 cups

To prepare shampoo –

1. Crush sopanuts into pieces
2. Boil water and add soapnuts and shikhakai powder
3. Turn off the heat and add amla juice or amla powder, mix well.
4. Cool down and using a spoon, remove soapnut pieces.
5. Add oil to shampoo water and use it for hair washing.

*Reason for adding oil in soapnut shampoo – when used alone, soapnut removes not just oil also moisture content from hair causing dryness of hair.  To keep moisture content in hair using oil while applying shampoo helps.

Other benefits of using soapnut -,

1. Using soapnut powder helps skin to rejuvenate.
2. Natural antimicrobial property in soapnut helps to control acne and pimples.
3. Gentle face wash – Instead of using soap – Prepare soapnut water by boiling 3 cups water and adding crushed soapnut. Strain the water, remove crushed soapnuts. Cool water and add 3 drops of tea tree essential oil. Shake well and store in refrigerator. Once or twice a day use this to wash your face.
4. Body wash with soapnut as main ingredients is good for conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
5. For yellow nails – Prepare soapnut water and squeeze one whole lemon into it. Add ½ tsp olive oil, mix well. Soak nails for ten minutes and gently scrub nails.
6. Soapnut is a natural detergent too – use soapnut pieces to wash silk fabric.
7. Some children are allergic to detergents. Soapnut is allergic free and can be used to wash children cloth.
8. Crush and boil soapnut in water. Cool and drop your gold jewelry or silver ornaments in soapnut water. Rub jewelry using soft cloth to get shiny, new look of jewelry or ornaments.

Soapnut is nature’s gift for many skin conditions. Natural shampoo, natural soap, natural detergent and natural dish soap – all these qualities are present in soapnut. Soapnut is one of the highly recommended natural medicine for all hair problems. Only precaution one has to take while using soapnut is, make sure that it doesnot enter eyes. It is safe to use and does not has side effects.

image credit: Inset hair image: https://www.freeimages.com/photo/hair-1194024 (free for commercial use)