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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.




BODHI SEEDS
Sapindaceae
a.k.a Chinese Soapberry, Soapnut Tree
(Sapindus mukorossi)
[wu huan zi]
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Images

CONTAINS: Fruit has a high saponin content.

Evergreen, brittle tree to 45 feet which is native to northern India to Central Japan (zone 9); leaves oblong-laceolate to olong-ovate, 16 inches long with 8 to 13 leaflets which go to 6 inches long; fruit is 3/4 inches in diameter and yellow to orange-brown in color; seeds are black.

USES

MEDICINAL:
The flower has been used in Oriental medicine for conjunctivitis and other eye diseases.
The fruit has been used in Oriental medicine to remove freckles and suntan.
The cotyledons of the seeds have been used in Oriental medicine for halitosis and gum boils.
The tincture has been used in Oriental medicine as a corrective and eliminant.
The lotion has been used to remove freckles and suntan.
The roots have been used like the fruit and seeds.

CRAFTS:
The seeds are used like beads.

OTHER:
The fruit is used like soap.





©2004 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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