A soap tree is a name for several varieties of plants from the Sapinda family. One of them is panicle kelreiteria (lat. Koelreuteria paniculata) This is a fairly tall shrub with fruits in the form of small trihedral bolls, in which there are round smooth berries, similar to physalis berries. But this plant does not have cleansing properties.
The true soap tree is considered to be sapindus (lat. Sapindus), which is translated from Latin means “Indian soap”. The genus includes evergreen shrubs, small trees common in the tropical zone of South America, Southeast Asia. In Russia, plants are found in the subtropics of the Black Sea coast, where they were introduced.
Botanical Description
Most sapindus are small trees with thin branched trunks covered with light gray bark. Their length rarely exceeds 7–8 m. The crowns are wide, carved, with an umbrella shape. The leaves are complex, pinnate, composed of 9-15 lanceolate elongated lobes located on the central petioles. The upper side of the leaves is dark green, smooth. The back is slightly lighter, with a slight pubescence.
Soil sapinduses prefer loose, moderately nutritious, loamy. Bloom from early May to late August. Hand panicle inflorescences consist of several tens of small white or light yellow corollas about 3 mm in size.
Fruits - round drupe berries with a diameter of about 1-2 cm. Inside them are 3 hard seeds. Unripe fruits are soft, covered with a light green velvety skin. As it ripens, the shell turns brown, hardens, turns into a rough, hard shell. When drying, the surface sometimes becomes dark, almost black. The inside remains green. Outwardly, ripe fruits are like nuts. Due to the unusual property of the shell to release foam when moistened, they are called soap. Fruiting plants begin in the tenth year of life. One adult tree gives up to 30-50 kg of nuts during the harvest period.
In their natural habitat, sapindus can live up to 80-100 years.
Chemical composition
The fruits of sapindus are soaped due to the presence of a large number of saponins in them. These are nitrogen-free organic substances from the glycoside group. They are amorphous, colorless, easy to melt, have no pronounced odor. In contact with water, they form a large amount of foam, have good detergent properties. In the fruits of the soap tree, the concentration of these substances can reach 38%. A little less saponins are found in flowers and bark.
The compounds in the composition of soap nuts have a neutral reaction in the formation of foam. In an open environment, saponins easily decompose, do not pollute the soil, water. These substances do not harm the human body, but they are toxic to insects and fish, have a paralyzing, asphyxiating effect.
Application
The ability of the sapindus berries to wash was noticed in ancient India, in Tibet, the natives of South America knew about it. In everyday life, the shell of the fruit was used as a natural cleanser: it was added to water when washing fabrics, washing the body, and hair.
In medicine
The healing properties of the saponins contained in the shell were used in Ayurvedic, Oriental, and Chinese medicine. Infusions, powders from crushed roots, bark, tree flowers were used as healing agents for inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, joints, mucous membranes of the eyes, for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, epilepsy, headaches, and seizures. Similar herbal medicine is used in modern medicine. Preparations from sapindus bark help with dermatological fungal infections, asthma, and digestive disorders.
Chemical compounds of soap berries have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, they have a light cooling, softening, whitening effect, preserve the natural level of acidity, moisturize.
In cosmetology
Detergents contain synthetic surfactants, foaming agents that aggressively affect the skin, provoking the development of allergic reactions. Toilet soap, in the manufacture of which animal fats and alkalis are used, rinses the natural protective film from the surface of the body and dries. Almost all modern detergents leave an invisible residue on the skin, leading to rapid subsequent contamination.
The substances contained in the fruits of sapindus are chemically neutral. They effectively remove dust, dirt, grease from the surface, but do not reduce the protective properties of the skin, maintain water balance, natural structure and shine of the hair. The foam that saponins form when soaping is less abundant than with chemical gels or shampoos, but it is perfectly distributed, washed off. Hair washed with a solution of soap nuts becomes soft, easy to comb, not electrified. The flakes of the rod are not clogged with surfactant residues, therefore, after several applications, the hair returns its natural volume, elasticity, they cease to quickly become greasy. Dandruff disappears. The skin stops itching, peeling.
Use soap can adults and children. It relieves irritation, does not cause burning, or other unpleasant sensations.
Soap fruit extract is added to natural hair and skin care products: shampoos, conditioners, balms, masks, lotions.
In everyday life and other areas
Soap solution perfectly washes fabrics from silk, wool, etc., while maintaining their quality. Berries are used for delicate cleaning of carpets, pillows, blankets.
Dried fruit shells are often used in their natural form.. It is sold at special points of sale of eco-cosmetics, pharmacies, online stores. It is easy to use: just moisten with warm water, rub in the palms of your hands. For washing, household chores, cosmetic procedures, you can pre-prepare a soap solution by soaking the nuts in a container for a while. For convenience, the shell is sewn into fabric bags, washcloths.
Solid bones of sapindus berries are used as ornamental material for necklaces, beads, beads, bracelets.
The wood of the plant has a light brown or reddish hue. It is equally dense, durable, resistant to damage by fungus, moisture. It is used in the construction, turning industry, shipbuilding.
Types of soap tree
The quality of soap berries directly depends on the type of tree. The best are:
- Sapindus mukorossi,
- Sapindus saponaria,
- Sapindus trifoliatus.
These species are common in India, southern China, the Himalayas. They have the largest berries, they form a lot of foam. Trees are high yielding.
Growing at home
In southern regions, where winter temperatures do not fall below -3 ° C, sapindus can be grown in open ground, gardens. Severe frosts of the temperate zone are fatal for them. You can cultivate a soap tree in the middle lane as an ornamental hothouse plant.
When germinating seedlings from seeds, preliminary scarification is required. The surface of hard stones is filed or rubbed with an abrasive. Then the material is soaked in hot water for 10-12 hours. A container with a nutrient substrate is prepared for planting. Loamy soil with the addition of humus, peat, wood ash is suitable. Bones are planted to a depth of about 3 cm. After wetting, the container is covered with glass or tightened with a film. Contain at a temperature of 22–25 ° С. In the afternoon - in bright sunlight, in the evening lighting with a lamp is required.
Sprouts make their way after 2–2.5 months. At first, they must be protected from drafts, sudden changes in temperature. Watering sapindus every other day. The soil should be slightly moist constantly.
Every 2-3 weeks, fertilizers must be applied to the soil. Every 2-3 months are organic.
Pots with sapinduses must be placed on the sunny side. The premises should be regularly ventilated. In summer, plants can be taken to fresh air.