Soapnut, Reetha

[Guest guest]

(Thanks Sohumji for bringing up soapnut as it will perhaps interest

many friends here too..) For anyone interested please read the

following:

 

 

Definitive Soapnut

-------------------

Global Eco's Sapindus Trifoliatis

 

To most of us, soapnut is not a word with which we are familiar -

yet. The country which first introduced us to tea is also the sole

producer of this magical product. For thousands of years Indians

have been using it for a variety of purposes. It is known in Hindi

as Ritha, reetha, aritha, dodan, kanma and thali. Had soapnut

arrived in Britain at the same time as tea, this country would have

remained far less polluted, with greater reserves of fossil fuels

for the millennium ahead. Now, however, for the first time in the

West, Indian-grown, organically cultivated soapnut Sapindus

Trifoliatis is becoming available. Ironically, in the West the

Sapindus family has been used mainly for the extraction of saponin

to make soap, whilst its key functions and potential remain

undiscovered.

 

In recent years, research into soapnut's properties has been

conducted with remarkable results. In 1979 a report was written, by

The Indian Forester, which suggested that soapnut, as a product, had

a great future. Yet, it was not until ten years ago that an

enterprising Indian farmer planted the first crop of organically

cultivated soapnut, specifically with exportation in mind. It was a

stroke of luck that people from Global Eco came across this 36,000

tree plantation and had the vision and drive to bring soapnut to the

West.

 

Soapnut's key qualities are as a washing and cleansing agent. The

outstanding differences between soapnut and chemical cleaners can be

classified into three categories:

 

ORGANIC

 

soapnut is natural; it grows on trees which absorb carbon dioxide

(the major "greenhouse gas" of global climate change) effectively

acting as a counter balance to chemical production and, of course,

trees produce oxygen.

being part of dryland farming, soapnut trees also counter

desertification by recovering wastelands

these trees help induce rainfall, hold moisture in the ground and

protect the land from flash floods.

The problems of soil erosion by wind and water are also greatly

reduced.

 

 

MULTIFARIOUS USES

 

soapnut's true potential is still unknown. Both anecdotally and

personally there is evidence to show that:

 

soapnut is excellent for washing and bathing humans and pets. It

leaves the skin with a soft, smooth layer which protects against

infections and insects.

mechanic's hands, stained hands, or those where the skin is cracked

from chemical cleaners can gain considerable relief. noticeable

improvements within two weeks have been found, including smoother

skin and the removal of ingrained marks.

soapnut is a natural exfoliant. It is considered to be second to

none and is also very common in the Indian Ayuverdic healing system.

in hair care, soapnut helps to remove dandruff, gives hair more body

and works against infections of lice and other parasites. It leaves

the hair, not just looking healthy but, actually healthy. Recently

there has been evidence showing that soapnut also reduces hair loss.

soapnut is traditionally used as a natural and effective treatment

for skin complaints including eczema, chronic itching and psoriasis.

soapnut is perfect for washing clothes, with no optical whiteners,

foaming agents or other chemical additives. In Nepal, soapnut is

used for washing the finest silks and woollens in preference to any

other product.

elsewhere in the kitchen, soapnut is also invaluable; dishes,

cutlery and even greasy pans can be cleaned with soapnut - and it is

dishwasher friendly.

most of us are unaware that many of the fruit and vegetables we eat

are grown using quantities of harmful chemicals. supermarkets also

use chemicals to increase their shelf-life, hence their

recommendation to was fresh produce before use. Scientific test have

shown that a ten minute soak in a soapnut solution will remove up to

95% of the surface pesticides and chemical residues.

other uses include cleaning teeth, polishing jewellery, cleaning

glass, paintwork and even washing the car!

in the garden a soapnut solution can be used as a spray to repel and

prevent a wide variety of pests and blight, including aphids and

blackfly. A well regarded scientific horticulturist is currently

researching these claims, with great success.

 

EFFLUENT

 

the action of soapnut in drains, sewers, rivers and seas assists in

the removal of chemical toxins and other poisons.

being 100% biological and biodegradable, soapnut is also excellent

for septic tank drainage systems.

 

Overall, the producers claim that soapnut is anti-septic, anti-

fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, anti-itching, hypo-

allergenic and 100% biodegradable, unlike any manufactured cleaning

agent.

We are beginning, finally, to acknowledge the importance of taking

responsibility for our part of this beautiful planet. soapnut has

the potential to act as a key contributor in reversing the current

putrefying of our planet by foul chemical effluents. Approximately

200 million soapnut trees world-wide would be sufficient to achieve

an ongoing purification of the planet as a whole. soapnut trees take

ten years to full yield and will then yield for approximately a

further 90 years, hence their life span and production level is

considerable.

 

On an economic level, soapnut can considerably reduce domestic

cleaning bills. The weekly bill for household cleaners, soaps,

shampoos, detergents and the rest, can be extremely high. By only

having to buy one product, the savings speak for themselves. soapnut

takes time to work effectively, its action is slower but longer

lasting. Providing one is willing to try soapnut repeatedly, one

discovers how little is needed.

 

The award winning Dharani Forestry & Orchards Ltd is India's largest

dryland horticulture centre as well as the largest commercial

plantation of organically cultivated soapnut, Sapindus Trifoliatis,

in the world. It is also pioneering solar power for irrigation and

other purposes. In addition the estate is run on eco-friendly

principles, with organic cultivation, is worker benevolent and does

not use child labour. The sale of soapnut products will finance

further plantations based on these same principles.

 

Global Eco is the sole UK agent; an organisation dedicated to global

ecological and environmental recovery. Its key focus is to assist in

the recovery of the world's wastelands, utilising natural energy

technologies and organic cultivation. A prime aspect of this is to

locate natural alternatives which are biodegradable and will enhance

our quality of life. The rediscovery of soapnut is, potentially, a

huge step forward for us and our children to help sustain and heal

this planet for the next millennium.

 

It is very easy, in some ways to make wild claims about a new

product, when there is little evidence available. However the mere

fact that it has been used for thousands of years to great effect in

India and Nepal, speaks volumes. The number of people who are

discovering soapnut in the West is increasing rapidly, all of whom

are thrilled by its properties. but really the approach is simple,

try it and see - what do you have to lose?

 

http://www.soapnut.com/defsoap.htm