Soap Nut Tree

The Soap Nut Tree is a popular and handsome tree found in most parts of India and it belongs to the plant family Sapindaceae. The compound leaves are pinnate with 2-3 pairs of leaflets that are 7.5- 18 cm. long. They are lanceolate, entire, smooth above and somewhat hairy beneath. The non- showy flowers are dingy white and found on terminal clusters. The two or three lobed, one- seeded fleshy fruits are covered with hairs when young but when they are mature and ripe, they are hairless and wrinkled.

MEDICINAL USE:

* Expectorant, sore eyes and opthalmia.
* Anthelmintic or to expel worms from the body, paralysis of the limbs and lumbago.
* Oedema.
* Controls dandruff and promotes growth of hair.

HOW TO USE:

* The infusion of the roots is used as an expectorant to remove phlegm, and as an eyewash to cure sore eyes and general eye infections.
* The roots and fruits are used as a decoction to expel worms from the body, for paralysis of the limbs and lumbago.

* The crushed fruits may be applied externally over swellings.
* Soak a handful of matured fruits in a bucket of water and use this water as a hair wash or a natural shampoo to control dandruff and to promote the growth of hair.

PARTS USED:

The roots and fruits.


DOSE:

As recommended above.
Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp


1 litre = 7 or 8 cups