1. Names:

Sanskrit:	Aristakah, Phenila		Enlarge photo
English:	Soap nut
Botanical:	Sapindus laurifolius
Hindi:	Ritha
Telugu:	Kumkullu
Common names:	Reetha, Puchikottai, Munippungu, Urulinji, Kumkuticettu, Uruvanci, Phenila, Antolakaayi, Chavakkai
Family name:	Sapindaceae

2. Parts used:

• Soapnuts
• Soapnut shells
• Soapnut shells powder

Contents: Tannic acid, Vitamin C.

3. Properties and Action According to Indigenous Medical Systems:

• Rasa: Spicy.
• Vipaka: Spice.
• Veerya: Ushna veerya.

4. Uses:

• These seeds are rich in saponins.
• It is an antibacterial cleanser. Exfoliant.
• It has expectorant and emetic properties.
• It is used as cleansing agent for hair, skin and laundry.
• It clears skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, itchy skin.
• It also protects sensitive skin.
• It prevents hair loss, controls dandruff.
• It balances salivation, epilepsy and chlorosis.
• Good remedy for dental caries.
• It is good cleaning agent for oily skin.

5. Names due to Physical properties:

• Krishnabeeja: Black seeds.
• Phenila: Creats foam.

6. Names due to Medical properties:

• Garbhapatana: Makes abortion.

7. Reference:

Lolamba rajeeyam, Vasthu guna deepika, Vasthu guna prakashika, Chakradatta, Susrutam,
Basabarajeezam, Bhavaprakashika, Vangacena,Charakasamhita, Vagvatamu, Hareetasamhita, Srijanakalpavalli.

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