Other Uses For Your Soapnuts

In ancient India these fruits, known in Hindi as reetha, were used for soap and hair wash powders, used by jewellers for shining ornaments of gold and silver and used in the laundering of fine silks and wools. In Vedic culture reetha is indicated in dravya-suddhi (physical and spiritual purification) for cleansing blankets. As a measure of hygiene and purity, Indian Pilgrim Ships required passengers to carry Soap Nuts onboard.

Here are also some great uses of soapnut shells:


Using soap nut shells to make a multi-purpose liquid cleaner: We found that boiling 50g of soapnuts with 1 litre of liquid for 20 minutes will give you good soapnut liquid. You can add extra water, if liquid is too concentrated. When cooled, remove the soap nuts, and pour the liquid into an airtight plastic or glass jar. Liquid will have a strong smell, but this will fade once you have added 10-20 drops of your favourite essential oil. For example add lemon/orange oil to use in the kitchen and ylang-ylang for shampoo or body/hand soap.

*Tip*: The shells do not seem to release any more saponin after 20 minutes, so empty this liquid, then add another litre of water to the same soapnuts to create another litre of soapnut liquid.

SO…If you buy a 250g box of soapnuts you will get 10 litres of soapnut liquid. If you use 100 ml of the liquid in each wash that’s 100 washes!!
 

Liquid Soap: To make liquid soap, put left-over soapnuts (odds and ends) with a half pint of water to make lots of foamy liquid. When it’s settled fill a pump bottle with the liquid. Give it a shake and use dispensed foam to wash your hands. Also consider adding some tea tree oil to make tea-tree handsoap, or you can add any other fragrance you like.


Soap Nut Powder: Simply grind soap nuts shells to a very fine powder in a coffee grinder. A similar appliance will work, such as a blender, however a coffee grinder tends to produce the finest powder. This may require grinding the soap nut shells a couple of times. Remove any un-ground pieces or sift through a sifter. Place in airtight container. Shelf life is indefinite as long as the soap nut powder is stored in a cool dry place.

For skin allergies like eczema, use soap nut powder instead of regular body soap. It does not lather much but cleans the grime from your body while staying mild and safe for your sensitive skin. The saponin essence works against harmful microbes that cause allergic reactions. Skin eruptions are reduced with the persistent action of soap nut. Many people complain of itchy skin that cracks and bleeds. But soap nuts soothe the disturbed skin and stop the infection from spreading to other areas of the skin. In due course, soap nuts also prevent further eruptions and allergic reactions. Rub the soap nut powder onto the skin, it will not lather very much and then rinse off

*Tip*: When you have ground this powder down really fine, you can use this in a dosing ball or in the drawer of the washing machine instead of liquid/soapnuts in the bag.


Shampoo:Use the liquid instead of your regular shampoo. It can even help prevent dandruff and hair loss! Leave it on your scalp for 5-10 minutes, and rinse as normal. It will not create a lot of suds, but it will still work!


All Purpose Cleaner: Keep the liquid in a spray bottle and use to clean the bathroom, kitchen, floors etc. Add 10-20 drops of essential oil if you prefer a scented cleaner. You can add tea tree oil or oregano oil for extra germ fighting power!


Steam Cleaning Spot Treatment: Add 3 Tablespoons to 4 litres hot water and use in a portable steam cleaner. Great for getting out urine smells and stains.


Window and Glass Cleaner: Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups water, 1 Tablespoon vinegar and 1 Tablespoon soap nuts liquid. Spray and wipe windows or mirrors clean. Polish with a dry cloth or newspaper.


Cleaning Jewellery: Soak your jewellery in the liquid for a few minutes. Use an old soft toothbrush to gently remove debris. Rinse with clean water and polish with a dry cloth.


For Your Pets: Add the liquid to a spray bottle or foaming pump bottle to wash your pet's fur. It will leave the fur soft and manageable. Also spray directly onto pet's fur to help repel mosquitoes.


Plant Wash and Pest Repellent: Add 1cup of water, 1 Tablespoon of soap nut liquid and 1 Tablespoon of Neem oil (optional) to a clean spray bottle. Shake well.

For plant wash, spray leaves and wipe clean. To repel pests, spray plant thoroughly, covering all surfaces and allow to air dry.

Watering your garden: Soapnuts are totally organic and, as stated earlier, a mild insecticide.  It is safe, even beneficial to put on your garden. Your washing machine uses about 50 litres (12 gallons!) of water per wash. Collect that waste and your watering problems are over. Say goodbye to those little plant destroying insects.

USEFUL FACTS

Soap Nut powder is used extensively in Ayurveda for the treatment of scalp issues such as hair loss, dandruff, and to alleviate parasites such as lice. (You can use a solution of Soap Nuts in the garden to repel pests as persistent as aphids.) In modern India, Soap Nuts are an essential ingredient in hair care products to increase lustre and softness of hair. The Soapberry is among the most important trees for beautification in tropical Asia, aesthetics being an important factor in Ayurveda. Used topically, Soap Nuts are used to eliminate freckles, fine lines, chemical stains and cracks in the skin. They are also used traditionally to treat mild to moderate skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. Soap Nuts are safe for people with sensitive skin, even people who suffer allergic reactions to store bought "sensitive skin" cleansers.

Soap Nuts are even safe enough to use as toothpaste and as a fruit and vegetable wash. A ten-minute soak in a solution of Soap Nuts removes 95% of the surface pesticides and chemical residues on fresh produce. Soap Nuts are also useful in the kitchen as a food-safe cleaner for countertops, appliances, and sinks.

In India the list of uses for reetha is impressive, claiming over 20 medicinal preparations, which alter the fruit to make it either 100% digestible or emetic. Reetha fruit is so rich in iron it is considered a haemolytic and is used often to treat anaemia. When prepared by an Ayurvedic doctor it can treat chlorosis and epilepsy. It is also used as an expectorant for severe lung congestion, and can help to promote blood circulation in patients with low blood pressure. Reetha is a sedative to the uterus and is used to ease childbirth. It can also be prepared as a digestive aid, an anti-venom, or to treat diarrhoea, cholera and paralysis.

There have been clinical trials on the use of Sapindus mukorossi as a spermicide (replacing Nonoxynal-9, which has shown to lead to widespread sexually transmitted infections.) Recent studies by Chinese researchers show that the saponins in Soap Nuts inhibit tumour cell growth in humans. Indian researchers show that a solution made from the fruit of Sapindus trifolatus decreases behaviours associated with migraines in mice. Early Vedic medical texts describe thick solutions made by crushing and adding water to reetha fruit that were used regularly to pacify folks suffering from chronic viral infections and headaches. There is also evidence it was used to treat hysteria.