About soap nuts and how we learn from each other

28.09.2022

„Tell me and I'll forget,

teach me and I may remember,

involve me and I'll learn"

Some researchers define this proverb as Indian, others dispute the dating and define it as Chinese, but this does not matter, because the wisdom and message of the words have been saved through the centuries.

Those of you who follow the activities of Botanica Life Foundation are familiar with the online and other courses which we run. These courses aim to enable more people to participate, share experiences, and thus acquire new practical skills. We started with the belief that through our guest speakers we would be able to pass on the knowledge of environmentally sustainable agriculture and of using the most popular herbs. On the other hand, our desire to leave a better world to our children has become our main motive. However, the truth is, that you, our participants, turned out to be our greatest teachers.

We are very grateful to each one of you for choosing to walk side by side with us on this truly challenging path.

Big “thanks” go to Lia Danova, our youngest,but passionately involved, participant in our online seminars. She is telling us about soap nuts and how they can be used as a natural substitute for conventional detergents and shampoos. Let us present you her article, where after a brief introduction, we will get acquainted with her personal experience with the soap nuts.

Petar Petrov,

Manager "Educational Activities and Events"

Botanica Life Foundation

Soap nuts are the fruits of trees of Sapindus (literally translated as "Indian soap"), which belongs to the family Sapindaceae (from the same family are, for example, horse chestnut and lychee). There are over 10 species, some of which are found in India, China and Nepal, others grow in South America, where the climate is tropical. Sapindus Mukorossi is one type of soap trees, used in the household. The tree reaches over 20 metres in height in suitable conditions, lives to 70-100 years and begins to bear fruit after about 10 years. The harvest is about 30–35 kg per year. It loves a warm, humid climate, and a lot of sunlight.

Once the fruit is dried and collected, the seed is separated from the outer shell. The seed can be used as a natural dye for textiles, for example, and the shell, with its high content of saponins, is used to wash hair, body, clothes and dishes. The fruits have insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Soap nuts are a great alternative for those who want to avoid the use of chemicals and plastic packaging in cosmetics and household items. Their hypoallergenic nature can soothe symptoms of allergies and sensitive skin.

Making a liquid laundry detergent or shampoo from soap nuts is as easy as making tea. Soap nuts have more advantages, compared to the widespread products in commercial supermarkets; they may be used more than once and even composted after use. If someone wants to reduce household waste and live a sustainable lifestyle, they can easily get them from zero-waste stores, where they are sold in paper bags or bulk.

The soapnut detergent easily washes lightly soiled and everyday clothes, while most heavy stains should be pre-treated. There are two ways to wash clothes: putting a small cloth bag with 5–6 nuts directly into the drum of the washing machine or preparing a liquid detergent. The important thing is that saponins dissolve in warm water (30-40 degrees and more). When washing with cold water, it is more appropriate to use a liquid detergent, because the saponins are pre-extracted by boiling the nuts.

There are many articles on the internet about detergent or shampoo preparation. It is good to try and change the ratio of soap nuts to water, according to personal preferences and needs (for example, more nuts to less water for a stronger washing effect of the shampoo).

Here is my example of how to prepare detergent at home:

6-7 soap nuts
4 glasses of water
5-10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Put 3 glasses of water and several soap nuts in a saucepan. After they start boiling, lower the temperature of the stove and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add another glass of water, increase the temperature and let it boil for another 5 minutes. Then remove it from the stove. When the mixture cools down, strain it and add essential oils (for hair, I recommend rosemary or lavender). It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 weeks. When washing clothes, I put 6 tablespoons in the detergent compartment of the washing machine.

When a large amount of liquid is made, it can be frozen in ice cube bags for longer-lasting use. Used soap nuts can be dried and reused or composted when their effect weakens. If you choose to wash clothes with whole soap nuts placed in a fabric bag, you must put the bag straight into the drum of the washing machine. In this way, the same bag may be used up to five or six times and then the nuts can be composted.

To prepare a stronger shampoo, just boil 10 nuts with 3 glasses of water (for example). When using the shampoo, rub it well into the scalp and wait a few minutes before rinsing. It is recommended to wash your hair twice for optimal effect. Use as much as is appropriate for the length of your hair. It does not make foam like conventional shampoos, but it works.

There is another way of washing hair, which I prefer, by mixing 2-3 tablespoons of soap powder (ground soap nuts in a coffee grinder or already powdered from the store) with a little warm water to obtain a slurry. 1-2 spoons of amla, shikikai, neem and other powders can be added. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, rub well into the wet hair, wait a few minutes and rinse well. It is advisable to avoid contact with the eyes.

I am impressed by how this plant can meet our household needs in such a way that is gentle to nature and our health.

Lia Danova,

a participant in Botanica Life’s training courses

"Sustainable Agriculture" (lecturer Galina Pencheva) and

"Herbs: Helpers and Protectors" (lecturer Lora Nikolova).

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IITOW0qKGvY,

Soap Nuts Harvesting Process

accessed on 20.02.2022

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-the-heck-are-soap-nuts-24308,

What The Heck Are Soap Nuts?

A reusable, sustainable nut that cleans your clothes and more? That's nuts! Or is it? Find out!