| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Names |
Acacia sinuata (Lour.) /
A.concinna DC.
|
Soap Nut |
Saptala |
Shikakai |
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History
The pods are considered,by native practitioners, as a
valuable medicine. It is commonly ordered in cases of
jaundice and other biliary derangement's, and is used by
Indians for washing their hair. It is also noticed that the
pods are used by Hindus for making sectarian marks on the
forehead. The leaves are used as an acid ingredient instead
of tamarind. The bark is used in tanning.
Habitat
It grows in the tropical jungles of India, especially in the
Deccan region.
Morphology Description (Habit)
It is a common, prickly, scandent shrub or thorny climber.
Leaves are bipinnate. Yellow flowers are borne in globose
and axillary heads. The pods are brown, wrinkled and notched
when dry. Seeds are 6-10 in a pod.
Principal Constituents
Saponins, the major constituent in the fruit, is the mixture
of Acacinin A, Acacinin B1, Acacinin C, Acacinin D and
Acacinin E2.
Toxicology
There is no adverse effect reported on continuous usage of
this plant.
Indications
The pods known as Shikai or Shikakai, are extensively used
as a detergent, and the dry ones are powdered, perfumed and
sold in the market as soap nut powder.
References
- Journal of Indian Chem. Soc., 1973, 50. 544; Indian J.
Chem., 1976, 14B, 228.
- J. Indian Chem. Soc., 1976, 53, 153.
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