[This article contains information on medicinal herbalism, read our Medical Disclaimer here.]

Botanical name: Sapindus Mukorossi  

Common names: Soap-nut, Soap-berry, and Wash-berry  

Family: Sapindeae  

Botany: This species of the tree grows wild in tropic and sub-tropic regions of Asia. Other species of the soapnut tree grow in tropic climates around the world, including Florida, Mexico, Hawaii, China, and the Caribbean.  

Soapnuts are an amazing gift from nature! The soapnut contains natural surfactant, meaning it has the ability to cut through grease and remove dirt from skin and objects. Soapnuts are gentle but very effective, and are safe to use to wash clothes and dishes, shampoo hair and cleanse skin. 

Soapnuts are perfect for all skin types, are hypo-allergenic, and are safe for infants and children. Soapnuts can be used on damaged or easily irritated skin. Regular cleansing of the skin with soapnuts will keep the skin soft, healthy, and protected from bacterial and fungal infections. Soapnuts are a popular ingredient in Ayurveda soaps and cleansers, and are used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis.  

The soapnut does not produce the same bubbles that we are used to seeing in our industrially produces cleansing products, but this does not seem the soap isn't working  

Properties: 

Surfactant: dissolves oil and grease and removes dirt from surfaces.  

Hypo-allergenic  

Antimicrobial: making it effective at cleaning surfaces.  

Prevents/removes dandruff  

Keeps hair soft and strong  

Removes head live due to its gentle insecticidal properties.  

Aids in the healing of skin issues including eczema and psoriasis 

Soapnuts can be used for:  

• All-purpose cleanser 

• Pet shampoo  

• Dish soap 

• Body wash and hand soap  

• Facial cleanser  

• Shampoo  

• Car wash  

• Laundry detergent  

• Bathroom and kitchen cleanser  

• Fruit and vegetable wash  

• Cleaning and shining jewelry  

• Garden pesticide  

Here’s where i source my soapnuts

To use  

Laundry 

Throw 4-5 soupnuts into a load of laundry, depending on how large of a load and how soiled the fabric is. They are best to put them is a small fabric sack which often comes with soapnuts when bought. This way they aren't loose and sticky among your clothes when moving them into the drier.  Each soapnut can be used 2-4 times and still work.   

Dishwasher 

Place 3 in the dishwasher with white vinegar as the rinse. Always clean the food off of dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, the dishwasher is used to sanitize and does not have a way to effectively discharge large food particles. Each soapnut can be used 2-4 times and still work.   

For all other cleaning 

Make liquid soap out of soapnuts and distilled water. Individual recipes for facial cleanser, body wash, daily shampoo and lice shampoo are coming soon!  

How to make liquid soap from soapnuts:  

1. Crush up soapnuts into smaller bits. Use whole soapnuts for this, rather than powdered soapnuts, because you'll want to strain out all of the pieces.  

2. Boil a 50g (about 1 handful) of soapnuts with every 6 cups of distilled water. Can be boiled or steeped overnight. Boil for 30 minutes.  

3. Adding a preservative to the decoction is not necessary.  

4. Place into a jar or dispense bottle for storage.  

Storing Soapnuts 

Soapnuts must be stored in an airtight container in a dry area. The absorb moisture very easily, but when if they do become wet and sticky, their surfactant properties have not been destroyed and they can still be used in laundry and dish washing. 

Safety: Safe for all skin types, is hypo-allergenic, and will not irritate current skin ailments.  

For external use only! Soapnuts have been used as an emetic, which induces vomiting.  

Sincerely,

Emilee Wright

A Mercurial Consciousness