Shikakai is medicinal herb which is found throughout tropical jungles of India and especially in the Deccan region. The fruits or pods of this herb has astringent, tonic and antiseptic activities and contains saponins.
The pods can be used to prepare a mouth rinse that helps to remove bacteria responsible for oral problems.
Botanical name: Acacia sinuata (Lour.), A.concinna DC.
Family: Mimosaceae
English name: Soap Fruit, Soap pod, Soap nut
Ayurvedic: Saptalaa, Shitalaa,
Saatalaa, Shrivalli, Kantvalli.
Unani: Shikaakaai, Kharunb Nabti.
Siddha/Tamil: Seekai, Sigakai
Folk: Ban-Reethaa
Benefits of using Shikakai mouth wash
- Cures bad breath
- Antiseptic effect
- Helpful in gum, oral infections
How to prepare Shikakai mouthwash
- Take shikakai powder (3 teaspoon).
- Add in water (150 ml) and bring it to boil.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
Use in lukewarm state for rinsing and gargling