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Reetha

Botanical: Sapindus mukoross | Hindi: रीठा | Marathi: रीठा| English: Indian Soapberry

Reetha

About

Indian Soapberry, also known as Reetha, refers to the Sapindus genus. A deciduous tree, it grows up to 15 meters with pinnate leaves and small, fragrant flowers. The tree produces soapnuts, round fruits with saponin-rich shells traditionally used as natural detergents. Native to India, it thrives in tropical climates. The soapnuts have cleansing properties and are utilized in various household and traditional medicinal applications.

Interesting Facts

Medicine and Wellness
Medicinal Uses:
  1. Reetha, or Indian Soapberry, is used traditionally for its cleansing properties in natural detergents.
  2. Its extracts are employed in skincare for their mild and natural cleansing abilities.
  3. Reetha is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and is used in traditional medicine for skin conditions.
  4. The saponins in soapnuts are utilized for their potential antifungal and antimicrobial effects.
  5. Reetha extracts are sometimes included in hair care products for their mild and gentle cleansing properties.
  6. Traditional remedies may use Reetha for treating minor skin irritations and conditions.
Culture and Belief
Culture and Tradition:
  1. Soapnuts are employed in various cultural and traditional ceremonies and rituals.
  2. The seeds of Reetha are sometimes used in traditional jewelry making.
  3. Reetha is extensively used in Indian
  4. It is well known for its traditional medicinal uses and is commonly used as a hair cleanser.
Bees, Butterflies, Birds: 3Bs of healthy environment.
Environmental Impact:
  1. This evergreen tree with its excessive produce of flowers in season is known for being used as a natural soap and detergent that has no harmful side effects that come with chemicals. It is soft on the user’s skin and to the environment too. It can be be stored for up to an year.
  2. Researchers have demonstrated the potential for the soapnut to be used as a natural surfactant for washing arsenic from soils that are rich in iron,
  3. Soap Nuts are 100% natural, they do not pollute our environment. Furthermore, Soap Nuts are considered renewable primary products. Thus, using soapnut based natural cleansers instead of chemical cleansers can prevent pollution.
  4. Soapnut tree produces oxygen and sequesters carbon hence going back to using it and planting it helps environment.

Anandvan Trivia Quiz

Question 1: Why am I Grandma’s trusted beauty secret? Answer:  Reetha, or Indian Soapberry, is often referred to as “Grandma’s trusted beauty secret” due to its historical use in traditional beauty practices. Reetha is an age-old remedy that makes hair extremely soft, gorgeous and overall beautiful. Additionally, the fact that it can be used as a natural shampoo ensures that you get healthy hair without an ounce of chemicals on your tresses. It can be used on a daily basis to provide nourishment to the hair scalp and promote hair regrowth. Reetha powder can be mixed with warm water to form a paste which can be used to massage the scalp to help manage dandruff and also remove lice from the scalp due to its insecticidal property. The powder of Amla and Reetha can be applied to the hair to help control greying of hair and also stimulate better hair growth. You can add Reetha powder to water and boil it till it gets reduced to half and then use it as a body wash as it is good for the skin. As per Ayurveda, it also helps manage skin infections such as eczema, psoriasis and pimples due to its Tridosha property

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