soapnut saponin powder（Sapindus mukorossi）
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Soap Plant, Jaboncillo
Sapindaceae Sapindus drummondii
Western Soapberry is an extremely adaptable native tree, equally at
home in the dry canyons of West Texas as in an East Texas landscape,
although it does occur in moister sites in west Texas and in drier
ones in the east, and usually grows on limestone. It can form large
groves of trees of one sex by spreading by rhizomes. The crown of
clean pinnately compound leaves forms an upright oval. The creamy
white late spring to summer flowers are attractive and are followed on
female trees by panicles of small translucent yellow-orange drupes.
The fall color can be a good yellow.
Brief introduction of the plant
Sapindus （Sapindus, mukorossi Gaertn）, alias Soapnut, Soapbreey, can
be categorized as deciduous arbor tree of Sapindaceae. It is also
called "soap tree" in the folk. The fruit-soaked liquid was once used
to wash hair or clothes at the time without daily chemical detergents.
Plant appearance
Arbor, 10～15m in height, bear fruits once a year, the ball-like core
and fruit turn to bright yellow at the ripeness. The blooming period
is in May or June, and the fruiting time is in October. Long life with
one to two hundred years of tree age.
Plant propensity
It is fond of sun lighting, slightly resistant to shade and relatively
strong in coldness resistance. It demands not high of the soil. It is
featured in deep rooting so that it has strong capability to fight
against wind. It is resistant to drought, rapid in growth and has long
life. It has strong resistance to SO2 and function of soil & water
conservation.
Geographic distribution
It is the subtropical and temperate-zone plant and distributes in low,
middle or high altitude of China's Mainland, Indo-China Peninsula,
India, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Arizona and Hawaii of the USA, North
of Mexico, Africa and etc. In our China, it mainly sparsely
distributed in hill or mountain areas located in the provinces to the
south of Huaihe River basin.
Natural ingredients and efficacy
Saponin, Vitamin C, Tyrosine, Glycine, Alanine, coniculata, fructose,
glucose, pentose, methyl pentose, acacia, rhamnose. The vitamin
content is up to 1.2-4%. As recorded in Chinese Medicine Great
Dictionary, the fruit skin, seed, seed kernel, root, skin, leave and
others all have the value for medicine purpose. The seeds contain fat
and protein. The oil content in the seed kernel is up to 42%. The
succus PH value of Sapindus Solution is between 5.2－7.0, with natural
acidity.
It has rich foam with delicate hand feeling and strong decontamination
ability, which is mainly functioned by the Saponin. The Saponin is
anti-virus.
Hand and Machine clothes washing
Use 2-3 teaspoons of Saponin powder in a load of washing will result
in clean, fresh laundry with incredible softness without the need for
fabric softeners or conditioners.
Hand washing clothes, especially silks and woolens, gives excellent
results using only a teaspoon of saponin powder.
An overnight soak in a weak solution of powder, as little as 1-2
teaspoons per bath, can clean clothes.
Colours are not faded. There are no optical whiteners, foaming agents
or other chemical additives so saponin causes none of the damage done
by normal washing detergents.
To make your whites whiter, consider adding an environmentally
friendly laundry bleach to your white washes or line dry to allow the
sun to do the bleaching for you.
Saponin powder does not include added perfumes or fragrances. Your
washing will smell line dried fresh but you may like to try adding a
few drops of your favourite essential oil to each load if you wish.
Your washing will be softer the more you rinse, especially if hand
washing. However, the protective property of the saponin powder
continues to work more for your clothes and skin the less you rinse.
Washing and Bathing
Saponin can be used to wash the entire body and hair replacing the
need for soaps, shower gels, shampoos and, in most cases conditioners
and moisturisers. Skin is left soft, smooth and more resistant to
infections an insect bites. The saponin also has a deodorising effect.
Because saponin is 100% natural it can be used on the most sensitive
of skins, even on babies' skin.
Add 1-2 teaspoons of saponin powder to a bath and enjoy the soak as
the saponin powder works its wonders.
Washing withsaponin can also be done by mixing a small amount with
water, smoothing over your hands, face, body and hair and rinsing.
This method works extremely well in the shower and cleans the shower
cubicle at the same time!
Mixing the saponin powder into a thin paste acts as a wonderful
exfoliator. Saponin has also been used traditionally in India to
reduce the symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, chronic itching and other
skin conditions.
Hair washed with saponin feels thicker and healthier and brushing it
can make the hair really shine. It may even reduce dandruff and
prevent hair loss. The longer you use the saponin to wash your hair,
the less you will need to use as the residual chemicals are removed.
There isn't really a wrong way to use soapberry powder for washing and
bathing except to maybe use too much at a time. As there are no
chemical foaming agents added, the saponin does not lather which may
take some getting used to but, which ever way you choose to use it,
you will enjoy the results every time!
Cleaning and Detoxing Food
Mix one spoonful of saponin powder into a litre of water and soak your
fruit and vegetables for approximately 10 minutes. Rinse and the food
are ready to eat, cleansed of potentially harmful chemicals and
residue.
The saponin solution can then be reused for household cleaning - see
Other Uses for ideas and instructions.
More uses
Saponin can be used to wash anything that is washable and, especially
if unrinsed, it will leave a protective layer on things from your cat
to your carpet and even your car.
Washing Dishes Mix a little saponin powder with warm water in your
washing up bowl and wash your glasses, dishes, cutlery and pans as
usual. Vary the quantity of powder depending on how greasy the dishes
are but don't be deceived by the lack of bubbles.
There are no artificial foaming agents in saponin so there will be
very few if any lasting bubbles but your washing up will be cleaned
effectively even if left to soak.
Cleaning Jewellery Saponin is used as a jewellery polish in India. It
works especially well on silver.
Make a paste by mixing a very small quantity of saponin powder with a
few drops of water and rub your jewellery vigorously in your fingers,
rinse and polish with a clean cloth. Alternatively you can soak in a
mild saponin solution for a while, then rub, rinse and polish.
For intricate pieces and rings with stone settings, cleaning with an
old, dampened toothbrush in a tiny bit of saponin powder can give
excellent results. Just rinse and dry to let the sparkle shine
through.
Washing Pets Parasites can be removed from pets' fur and skin by
washing in a mild solution of saponin and your animals' fur will be
left clean, soft and protected from further infestations.
Household Cleaning Because of the natural nature of saponin, it can be
used to wash and clean anything that you'd normally wash or clean with
chemical or non-chemical cleaners. A mild solution can wash your house
from top to bottom, inside and out including windows which will be
left sparkling after a quick polish with a paper towel when dry.
In the Garden Spraying a mild solution of saponin onto your plants
will help to keep aphids and blackfly away.
Washing Cars Add a few teaspoons of saponin powder to a bucket of
water. Wash the car as usual and polish to a good shine when dry.
Experiment with saponin and you will be amazed at the results but
please remember that less is definitely more with this incredible
natural product.