Latin Names: Acacia Concinna / Acacia sinuata

English Name: Soap Nut

Sanskrit / Indian Name: Shikakai, Saptala

Cure for: It is popularly referred as "fruit for the hair" as it has a naturally mild pH that gently cleans the hair without stripping it of natural oils. Shikakai is used to control dandruff, promoting hair growth and strengthening hair roots. Its leaves are used in malarial fever, decoction of the pods are used to relieve biliousness and acts as a purgative. An ointment, prepared from the ground pods, is good for skin diseases.