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Soap Pod (Shikakai / Senegalia)
Senegalia rugata
ଶିକାକାଇ (Shikakai)शिकाकाई (Shikakai)Shikakai / Saptala
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Origin
- Tropical Asia
- Plant Type
- Climber
- Habitat
- Outdoor
About the Plant
Prickly scandent climbing shrub; bipinnate foliage with minute recurved prickles on branchlets, globose cream flower heads, and thick fleshy wrinkled constricted brown pods.
Traditional Uses
Dandruff, scalp infections, hair thinning, constipation, and jaundice
Parts Used
Dried pods, leaves, bark
Ayurvedic Properties
- Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
- Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
- Virya: Sheeta
- Vipaka: Katu
Health Benefits
- Restores scalp pH, eliminates fungal dandruff, promotes lush hair growth, and strengthens roots
Precautions
Pods irritate eyes if soap water enters ocular tissues; external use generally non-toxic
Interesting Facts
Contains natural gentle saponins that clean scalp and hair without stripping natural sebaceous oils