Sapindus mukorossi

Botanical Name – Sapindus mukorossi

Common Name – Hrishtah, Phenaka, Rishtah, Rita, Sarishta (Sanskrit), Reetha (Hindi), Soapkaayi (Malayalam), Norekaayi (Kannada), Aritho (Gujrati)

Distribution – Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka

Habit

• Medium sized deciduous tree
• Fast growing
  
  

Habitat

• Dry and moist deciduous forest
  
  

Specific properties

• Tolerant of nutrient deficient poor soils
• Preferred for reforestation of eroded hillslopes
  
  

Ecology

• Attracts lots of bees, which are its key pollinator
• Nectar plant for Common crow, Blue tiger, Glassy tiger, Double-branded crow, Dark blue tiger and striped tiger
  
  

Uses

• The dried fruit is most valuable part of the plant, contains saponin, which is a natural soap and is used in preparation of shampoos and detergents
• Plant exhibit antimicrobial, cytotoxic, fungicidal, insecticidal properties, used for removing lice from the scalp, as fish poison, bio pesticide etc
• Fruit have saponins which are emetic, contraceptive, used to treat excessive salivation, pimples, epilepsy, chlorosis, migraines, eczema, psoriasis, coughs and inhibits tumour cell growth
• Powdered seeds used to treat dental caries, arthritis, colds, constipation and nausea
• The leaves are used in baths to relieve joint pain and the roots are used in the treatment of gout and rheumatism.
• Seeds used to bleach cardamom seeds which improves flavour and colour
• Jewellers in India use it for restoring brightness of tarnished gold, silver ornaments
• Soapnut is a natural surfactant for washing arsenic from soils rich in iron
• Seed kernel is potential biodiesel material
• The seed kernels, a by-product of the oil extraction is used as fertilizer
• The leaves are used as fodder for cattle

Propagation

• Seeds
• Vegetative cuttings