Sindhiya Enterprise Bangladesh

The SoapNut Tree!

There are trees in south Asian countries called Soapnut trees on which natural soap grows. Yes it is true and believable you can see natural soap on the trees in south Asian countries. Soapnut trees grow 13 to 18 meters high. People of Asian countries refer to the fruit of these trees as Reetha, Areetha, Kala kamodi, Soapnuts andSoapberries.  The fruit is harvested from September to February.  The Soapnut Tree plant's botanic family includes 2,000 species.

Across the jungles of Asian countries a surprisingly practical tree called "sapindus mukorossi" grows a small fruit surrounded by a firm outer shell, much like a lychee, rambutan or berry. The shell is then dried in the sun, the natural way, without adding/using any chemicals. In fact, the whole process uses no fossil fuels, except in the transportation of the product to the market or to the end user.

It is this outer shell – rich in natural saponins  - which act as water surfactants (surface-active substance) – that the native families in south Asian countries have used for centuries to wash their own clothes. They toss 2-3 shells in to a small burlap bag, old (used) sock, or in any other piece of cloth and work it in with their laundry. The Soapnuts, as they are now called, absorb water and release their saponins which circulate as a natural surfactant in the wash water, reducing the surface tension of the water and freeing dirt, grime and soil from the clothing.

When the clothes are rinsed the Soapnut's saponins are washed downstream where they remain harmless to the environment. No synthetic chemicals, no fragrance chemicals, no foaming agents, nor bleaching agents or other toxins. Just Soapnuts as grown by Mother Nature on the trees!

Soapnut trees have grown naturally, in the forest and hill track areas (particularly in the Himal ayan range) for centuries.  The Soapnut is used as a natural soap, detergent, wash bar and cleaner for all kinds of dirt removal.  The Soapnut shells  have also been used for cleaning gold and silver ornaments for centuries in the south and central Asian countries. Women throughout the entire world, especially i n south Asian countries, have used Soapnuts as a natural shampoo for their hair for thousands of years as it helps to make hair strong, healthy, long and silky.  Soapnuts are particularly effective in treating dandruff,  headlice and many other diseases of the hair and scalp. Once planted, it takes nine years for the Soapnut tree to begin yielding fruit. After the ninth year the Soapnut trees can be harvested for a period of ninety years. Thus the Soapnut tree’s life cycle is extremely long, allowing a natural and sustainable cultivation.  In addition to this, the Soapnut tree contributes to combating the greenhouse effect by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen.  The more trees we allow to remain growing in the earth, the better for our earth, atmosphere and ourselves.

 The used shells of the Soapnuts are 100% biodegradable, so they reduce the amount of landfill as you just add them to your compost heap and they will turn into a natural fertilizer for your garden and plants to enjoy.

The Soapnut trees are extremely beneficial to humanity, the earth, Mother Nature and our total environment. You will hardly find another product which is roughly as Eco friendly as "the Soapnut trees".

Common name

washnuts, soapnuts, soapberry, soapods, reetha, areetha, laundrynuts etc. their scientific or botanical name is sapindus Makorossi, sapindus Trifoliatus and sapindus rarak.