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A Fruit for the Hair
Known in India as shikakai, the 'fruit for the hair', the soap pod had been in use as a common hair cleanser from times since immemorial. As the pods are loaded with saponin (about 5% of its content), it qualifies as an ideal shampoo offered by Mother Nature. In addition, the soap pods seldom interfere with the natural oils of the skin, while flushing out dirt. In that way, it is the 'first' shampoo-cum-conditioner ever used by human beings! Folk wisdom has acknowledged its contribution to fighting lice or pathogens that are harboured in the hair roots or the skin surface.

The traditional textile processors of India have also employed the soap pod as an effective detergent in the manufacture of both silk and woolen fabrics.

An infusion could be a substitute for modern day chemical antiseptics and can be used for cleaning and washing wounds and bruises; as a first aid, this can prevent pus formation and the resulting complications.

Soap pod can be called a poor man's analgesic particularly in the treatment of pain in legs, hips and joints. First you apply some castor oil on the limbs that ache and foment the area with a hot water bag. Then sprinkle the area with a fine pod powder, massage and later wash it with hot water. When you wipe it, the pain would have also been wiped away!

An infusion of the pod, after removing the seeds, when drunk with 1 tsp honey is a simple way of fighting constipation. A diluted concoction of soap pod could be an ideal home made gurgle to drive away odour-causing bacteria from the mouth. As a consequence, several mouth-related diseases such as halitosis, gum bleeding, mouth ulcers and the like, that may over a period, tend to uproot the teeth can be effectively prevented.

Several folk remedies prescribe soap pods for fighting skin infections. A simple method is to boil a teaspoonful of soap pod powder in 1 cup water and use the decoction as a tincture to wash frequently the affected areas of the skin. This could be the most affordable and economical way to locally treat itch, pimples, psoriasis, skin rashes etc.

HEALING POWERS

For Pain In The Chest, Hip, Limbs Etc.: Apply a little castor oil on the affected area. Foment the area with a hot water bag (it should be bearably hot) and gently massage with powdered soap pod for 15 minutes. Wash the area with hot water and wipe it with a dry towel.

Constipation: Take 3 leaf buds and grind them along with ¼ tsp. tamarind paste, 2 tsp. each of mint leaves and coriander leaves, a pinch each of asafoetida and black pepper and salt of taste. Mix this powder in cooked rice or rice porridge and eat.

Constipation, Jaundice: Crush a fruit, discard seeds and soak the rest in 1 glass of water for 1 hour. Take the infusion.

Dandruff: Boil Powdered soap pods in water (1: .50 ratio) for 10 minutes. Cool and filter. Use this decoction to rinse hair.

Dandruff, Lice: Grind the following into a fine powder: dried fruits (after discarding the seeds) 10, ½ cup each of fenugreek seeds, Zedoary roots, roots of Indian sarsaparilla and sandalwood chips. Bottle. Massage the head thoroughly with coconut oil and apply this powder. Rinse the head with water after half an hour.

Freckles: Apply a finely ground paste of the fruit rind every day. Wash off after 15 minutes.

Gum Infection, Mouth Odour: Boil ½ tsp. powdered soap pod in 2 cups water. When lukewarm, gurgle 3 to 4 times a day.

Mouth Odour: Apply a few drops of gingelly oil on the tongue and the interior of the mouth, allow it to remain for 5 minutes. Mix a few drops of water into ¼ tsp powdered soap pod and make the whole thing into a paste and apply carefully on the tongue rubbing gently with the index finger. Wash the mouth with lukewarm water. ( Avoid swallowing.) Repeat 3 to 4 times a day particularly after each meal.

Itch, Psoriasis, Wounds : Boil 1 tsp powdered soap pod in 1 cup water. Cool and apply on the affected parts.

Jaundice: Grind 1 tsp tender leaves with 3 peppercorns, tsp tamarind pulp, ½ red chilli and a little salt into a fine paste. Eat it with cooked rice or chapati. Soak a crushed fruit (after removing the seeds) in 1 glass drinking water stored in a mud pot for at least half an hour and drink this infusion. (Caution: This treatment may stimulate bowel movements and cause frequent loose motions.) In addition to the fruit, the following can also be added to the drinking water: coriander seeds (1/.2 tsp) and galangal root powder (1 pinch).

A Word of Caution
Soap pod is clearly distinguishable from soap nut which grows in the northern parts of India. While using soap pod, care is to be exercised to remove the seeds

Soap Pod Body Wash
Powder equal quantities of the following, mix together and bottle. Use it with milk (1:10) for your ayurvedic luxury bath that is also an antiseptic guard against infection

1) Soap
2)Green gram
3) Dried lime peel
4) Indian sarsaparilla roots
5) Zedoary roots.

Soap Pod Hair Wash
Powder equal quantities of the following, mix together and bottle. Use it with the requisite amount of water for cleaning and washing the hair.
1) Soap Pod
2) Green gram
3) Dried amla
4) Dried curry leaves
5) Dried lime peel
6) Fenugreek seeds