Benefits of Using Soap Nuts & Soap Nut Products
|
| |
The Benefits of Using Soap Nuts and Soap Nut Products
Soap nuts/aka soap berries, wash nuts, soap nut shells, wash shells, ritha nuts and more.
*Hypoallergenic
*Antibacterial
*Anti-fungal
*Anti-microbial
*A safe and chemical free pesticide and insect repellent
*Gentle enough for infant skin and fantastic for laundering diapers and removal of odors.
*An aid to healthier hair and scalp
*Does not pollute water; great for septic systems.
*100% biodegradable and excellent for composting.
On Being Hypoallergenic
Many people develop skin irritations and have allergic reactions to detergents due to the hazardous synthetic chemicals and fragrances in commercial detergents and additives that are left in the fabric. Continued exposure to such chemicals has led to new conditions such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) and is affecting our immune systems in ways we may not fully understand for decades. Soap nuts are free of all such synthetic chemicals.
Soap nuts are a real answer and solution for sensitive skin types, and also sufferers of eczema, rosacea and psoriasis that are commonly irritated by commercial detergent chemicals.
As an Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-microbial
Use of soap nuts or a soap nut solution has been beneficial on cuts, burns, bee stings, athletes foot and other skin eruptions and rashes so it’s a first aid must have when hiking, camping and at home. Excellent for washing hands especially during flu season.
Can you be allergic to soap nuts?
Soap nuts are hypoallergenic, however virtually everyone is possibly allergic to something. It has been documented that only two persons out of thousands had any sort of negative reaction to saponin, and it was a minor rash. If you have a high sensitivity and allergies to natural substances or plants, let common sense prevail. Do a simple patch test on yourself to determine if you have any reaction.
Soap nuts virtually eliminate the need, and the expense, for laundry additives, fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Being so mild, they help maintain fabric structure and are highly effective yet gentle enough for fine fabrics, silk and wools.
Soap nuts being extremely versatile, can be used for laundry, personal care and numerous everyday-cleaning needs and are easily converted to powder or liquid forms at home for a multitude of uses.
|
|
|
 
The mukorossi soap nut looks something like a golden cherry. The seed is removed and used for cultivating new trees which take about ten years to mature and produce the soap berries. The outer skin and pulp are allowed to dry naturally and are then harvested.
Saponin is the active ingredient in soap nuts and the source for all of the soap nuts’ benefits. Although commonly called soap nuts, they are not an actual nut but a berry so one does not need to worry about nut allergies. The saponin is found in the pulp and skin.
Please note that all soap berries are not alike.
There are several varieties with different levels of saponin and the Sapindus mukorossi contain the highest level of saponin (soap) and is a 100% natural surfactant. By definition a surfactant is an agent, chemical, drug or substance that reduces the surface tension of liquid. It is this reduction of water surface tension that makes cleaning easier. Soap nuts contain this all-important saponin that makes our everyday cleaning needs not only easier, but much healthier, safer and totally free of synthetic chemicals.
Soap nuts trees are found in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains of China, northern India and Nepal. They grow in typically undesirable and often useless lands with poor soil conditions. The forestation of near barren, unproductive lands with soap nut trees will aid in the reversal of Co2 accumulation.
Although time tested for safety for thousands of years, soap nuts and saponin are just beginning to be studied in depth to determine all their potential natural benefits. We will still be learning for decades to come and are only scratching the surface of all the potential benefits and uses.
Saponin is found in many plants such as agave, yucca, soapwort, and others BUT soap nuts have an extraordinarily high concentration of saponin . This makes extracting saponin from soap nuts not only feasible but also easy and sustainable.
Several US universities are now offering saponin-based detergents in their laundries as a genuinely natural alternative to typical commercial detergents for the rapidly growing number of health and environmentally minded students.
|
| |
From our Soap Nut Pro at NaturOli:
Soap Nuts Toxicity Test
Soap nuts are demonstrated to be less of an irritant than mainstream detergents – even the “so called” Free and Clear products.
In vitro (test tube) ocular testing of soap nuts/saponin has recently (2009) been conducted via a US independent laboratory. A non-disclosure agreement limits me at this time from providing all the specifics regarding who conducted the tests, plus the patented processes that were utilized. No animal testing of any kind was involved.
The tests were conducted using cultured human cells from the cornea. The tests evaluated the level of irritation that exposure to soap nuts/saponin-based and mainstream commercial detergents would develop. It is significant to note that ocular testing is possibly the best measure of toxicity due to the sensitivity of the eye.
For the saponin detergent a variation of NaturOli’s Extreme 18X was used. It was reduced to a level of potency equivalent to that of the other detergents it was compared to. Given the high concentration of Extreme18X, adjustments needed to be made to have a true apples-to-apples comparison.
Note: Triton X-100 is not a commercial or retail “brand” detergent. It is a non-ionic surfactant commonly used for laboratory testing. It is used as a proper control sample for such testing.
The study is quite complex, but the net of it is the following comparative results:
NaturOli’s Soap Nut Liquid Laundry Soap – “minimally irritating”
Triton X-100 (the control sample) – “mildly irritating”
2X Ultra Tide HE Free Detergent – “moderately irritating”
Seventh Generation HE Natural Free and Clear Detergent – “mildly irritating”
Method Green 3X Concentrate Free and Clear – “severely to extremely irritating”
Very significant to this testing is that each of the detergents selected for comparative study are the detergents marketed as the “greener” and more natural of each brand.
There were no surprises to me in the results of this testing. I have intentionally put tiny amounts of saponin and other detergents in my eyes to personally experience the results first hand. These results are consistent with my experience. I’ve tried many others, too. Soap nuts liquid and saponin is very gentle relative to everything I’ve personally tested.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please do not even think of trying this yourself. It’s not fun – at all. It hurts, and you could cause yourself serious harm. Even “moderately” is an understatement in my opinion, and “extremely” doesn’t come close to doing it justice. Wow! OUCH!
It should be noted that NaturOli’s Soap Nut Liquid Detergent contains only vegetable glycerin, olive leaf extract and “food” grade preservative as additives to its saponin extract. NaturOli uses a proprietary aqueous extraction process (water based) that is also very safe and benign. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, there are soap nut liquids that utilize very hazardous chemical extraction processes. Not all saponin extracts are alike. Hence, this test does not imply that all soap nut detergents will produce the same results.
End of report.
|
| |
Soap Nut Bar Soap & Soap Nut Shampoo Bar Soap
One can certainly see from reading our ingredients the many beneficial properties of our soap nut based products: healthy, glowing skin and silky, shiny hair and a healthy scalp.
Soap Nut Bar Ingredients
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: has powerful antioxidants that protect, moisturize, restore and regenerate.
Sapindus Mukorossi Tea (extract): adds all the benefits of the soap nut.
Coconut Oil: excellent as a moisturizer and softener, helpful in styling hair and cooling and soothing the head. rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory.
Almond Oil: anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to moisturize and recondition skin and to relieve itching, drying and inflammation. Almond Oil is high in fatty acids and contains protein and vitamins, A, B1, B2, B6 and E. It is absorbed without clogging pores and is great for all skin types.
Palm Kernel Oil: rich in essential fatty acids essential for proper growth and development, but also it contains an assortment of vitamins, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients important for good health.
Sodium Hydroxide: aka lye, used in soap making produces glycerin which helps heal and moisturize.
Mango Butter: has natural emollient properties and has been used traditionally in rainforests and tropics for its skin softening, moisturizing and protective properties. It has a white appearance and slight fatty scent and melts at body temperature. It is high in oleic and stearic fatty acids. It is reputed to be useful for sunburns, itching, rashes, aged skin, reducing degeneration of skin cells and restoring skin elasticity. It has a protective effect on UV radiation.
Castor Oil: very smooth and silky, moisturizing properties.
Pure Sapindus Mukorossi Soap Nut Powder: all the benefits of soap nuts.
Tea Tree Essential Oil: known for its healing properties infections.
Rosemary Essential Oil: oxygenating, hence aiding the transport of nutrients at a cellular level.
Natural Vitamin E: a fat soluble antioxidant vitamin that helps to neutralize potentially damaging free radicals, is particularly important for the protection of our cell membranes as well as keeping your skin, heart and circulation, nerves, muscles and red blood cells healthy.
|
| |
Soap Nut Shampoo Bar Ingredients
Sapindus Mukorossi Soap Nut Tea: adds all the benefits of the soap nut.
Sweet Almond Oil: anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to moisturize and recondition skin and to relieve itching, drying and inflammation. Almond Oil is high in fatty acids and contains protein and vitamins, A, B1, B2, B6 and E. It is absorbed without clogging pores and is great for all skin types.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: has powerful antioxidants that protect, moisturize, restore and regenerate.
Jojoba Oil: contains natural vitamin E, is a natural antioxidant and has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Jojoba is rapidly absorbed, deeply penetrates, moisturizes and protects while allowing skin to breathe.
Grape Seed Oil: excellent for moisturizing the skin, is instrumental in rejuvenating and has regenerating qualities. Another of the benefits of grape seed oil is that it is very high in antioxidants and contains high amounts of vitamin E, vitamin C, Beta-Carotene, and vitamin D.
Palm Kernel Oil: rich in essential fatty acids essential for proper growth and development, but also it contains an assortment of vitamins, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients important for good health.
Aloe Vera Extract: rich in vitamins, and known for restorative properties for hair and skin. Aloe Vera Gel’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe even the most irritated scalp and help seal in moisture making hair softer and easier to style.
Mango Butter: has natural emollient properties and has been used traditionally in rainforests and tropics for its skin softening, moisturizing and protective properties. It has a white appearance and slight fatty scent and melts at body temperature. It is high in oleic and stearic fatty acids. It is reputed to be useful for sunburns, itching, rashes, aged skin, reducing degeneration of skin cells and restoring skin elasticity. It has a protective effect on UV radiation.
Hemp Oil: high in EFA’s which can influence the human body in a number of ways, including cardiovascular health, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, brain function, infant development, immune function and cancer prevention.
Cocoa Butter: contains natural antioxidants, naturally rich in Vitamin E and has been used for centuries in Africa for its moisturizing healing properties. Cocoa butter is protective and slows down moisturize loss.
Neem Oil: helps to seal-in moisture and heal many skin care problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, head lice and dry skin conditions.
Pure Essential Oils of:
Sweet Fennel: stimulates blood flow to the scalp to further increase healthy scalp and hair growth.
Lemongrass: antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Rosemary : as with all Essential Oils, they are known to be oxygenating, hence aiding the transport of nutrients at a cellular level
Lavender: in dermatology, Lavender EO can soothe skin irritations, scrapes, bites, sunburn, etc. It acts as a skin conditioner, regenerator and soothing agent.
Clary Sage: provides antibacterial and deodorizing properties to this luxurious soap nuts shampoo bar.
Pure Sapindus Mukorossi Soa Nut Powder: adds the cleaning and anti-fungal properties of soap nuts.
Willow Bark: pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects
Extreme 18X Liquid Concentrate Laundry & Green Cleaner
– Pure Saponin Aqueous Extract from 100% Sapindus Mukorossi Soap Nuts
– Vegetable Glycerin
– Olive Leaf Extract (olea europea leaf extract)
– Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate: smallest amount of safest food grade preservative for your protection.
All products are free of:
Talc - PABA - Lanolin - Parabens - Phosphates - Mineral Oil - SLS & NPE - Formaldehyde - Petro-Chemicals - Synthetic Fragrance & Dyes - Alcohol - Chlorine -
And Cruelty Free
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
