● Product Type: Whole/TBC/Powder
● English/Common Name: South Indian Soapnut
● Botanical Name: Sapindus trifoliatus
● Indian Names: Reetha, Phenila
● Origin: India
Mild, earthy, and soap-like.
A fine powder that becomes soapy when mixed with water.
A dark, brownish powder.
Reetha, specifically from the Sapindus trifoliatus tree common in Southern India, is a natural source of saponins, a compound that acts as a gentle surfactant. When mixed with water, it creates a mild lather that effectively cleanses the hair and scalp. It is often combined with Shikakai (a conditioner) and Amla (a strengthener) to create a complete, balanced Ayurvedic hair washing ritual.
● French: Noix de lavage du sud de l’Inde
● German: Südindische Waschnuss
● Chinese: Nán yìndù wú huànzi (南印度无患子)
● Arabic: ر (Reetha)
● Spanish: Nuez de jabón de la India
● Russian: Мыльный орех южноиндийский (Myl’nyy orekh yuzhnoindiyskiy)
● Japanese: 南インドのソープナッツ (Minami Indo no sōpunattsu)
Reetha is one of the most popular traditional hair cleansers in Ayurveda. This species of soapnut is prized for its excellent cleansing and foaming properties. It is used to wash hair, remove excess oil, and combat dandruff and lice, all without the use of harsh chemical surfactants. Its cleansing action helps to keep the scalp healthy and promotes voluminous, shiny hair.
● For a Natural Shampoo: Make a paste of Reetha powder with warm water. Apply it all over the scalp and hair, massage well to create a lather, and then rinse with plain water to help control dandruff and cleanse the hair.
● For Washing Delicates: A decoction of the powder can be used as a gentle, natural laundry detergent for delicate fabrics like silk and wool.
We source high-quality South Indian soapnuts, ensuring they are mature and have a high saponin content for effective cleansing.
The soapnuts are de-seeded, sun-dried, and ground into a fine powder, delivering a pure, potent, and ready-to-use natural cleanser.
