Reetha
Explore Reetha benefits, traditional uses and the science behind Sapindus mukorossi, including its natural cleansing saponins and relevance to hair and scalp care.
Origin
Southern China; now introduced or cultivated across parts of the Indian subcontinent and wider Asia. (Plants of the World Online)
Traditional wisdom
Natural cleansing of hair, body, fabrics and household materials
Why Soumm chose it
Plant-derived cleansing and surfactant action
Quick facts
- Botanical name
- Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.
- Common names
- Soapnut; Aritha; Ritha; Reetha; Washnut
- Source type
- Deciduous subtropical tree
- Part used
- Fruit pericarp — the outer fleshy covering of the fruit
- Natural constituents
- Triterpenoid saponins, sugars, mucilage and other plant compounds including phenolics and flavonoids. (PubMed Central (PMC))
- Scalp relevance
- Cleansing; possible antimicrobial relevance based mainly on laboratory and formulation research
- Evidence status
- Strongest evidence supports its cleansing/surfactant role; evidence for direct hair growth or treatment of scalp disorders is insufficient.