Chinese Soapberry, Soap Berry, Chinese Soapberry, Soapnut Tree

Sapindus mukorossi

Physical Characteristics

Sapindus mukorossi is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: The seeds are crushed and boiled to make a liquid that is added to certain kinds of Indian milk sweets, known as 'rasgullas'[301 ]. This adds a frothy quality to the dessert[301 ]. The seeds have been used to bleach cardamom seeds, this treatment is reported to improve the flavour as well as the colour of the spice[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Epilepsy Expectorant Haemolytic Odontalgic Parasiticide The fruit and seeds are regarded as a cure for epilepsy in northern India[303 ]. A decoction of the fruit is used as an expectorant[303 ]. A lather of the fruit is used to treat burns[272 ]. The lather is also used as a soap to wash the hair and rid it of lice[307 ]. The seeds are used in China to stop dental caries[303 ]. The fruit is considered to be haemolytic[303 ].

Known Hazards

The fruit pulp contains saponins and is used as a fish pioson[303 ]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of raw foods that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K ].(Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested)