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 along with other ingredients can be used to prepare a herbal body soap.
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
How to prepare Shikakai Body wash
Ingredients
- Shikakai powder (50 gm)
- Green gram powder (50 gm)
- Lemon or orange peel powder (50 gm)
Recipe
- Mix all ingredients and store in a container.
For using as a body cleaner, Mix in water or milk and apply on body.
This is mild body soap with low pH which does not causes dryness of skin and keeps skin soft and smooth.