Arishtaka

(Soap Nut Tree)

Department of Dravyaguna
Uttaranchal Medical College of Ayurveda & Research 

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Basic Details

• Botanical Name: Sapindus trifoliatus

• Family: Sapindaceae

• Synonyms: Raktabeej, Garbhapatan, Reetha, Phenil

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Morphological Description

Habit:
A medium-sized deciduous tree growing up to 50 feet (15 m).

Leaves:

• Alternate

• 15–40 cm long

• Pinnate

• 14–30 leaflets

• The terminal leaflet is often absent

Flowers:

• Small

• Creamy white

• Arranged in large panicles

Fruits:

• Small leathery drupe

• 1–2 cm in diameter

• Yellow turning blackish on ripening

• Contains 1–3 seeds

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Rasa Panchaka

• Rasa: Tikta, Katu

• Guna: Laghu, Tikshna

• Virya: Ushna

• Vipaka: Katu

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Pharmacological Properties (Karma)

• Tridoshashamaka

• Vedanasthapana (analgesic)

• Lekhana

• Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)

• Vamaka

• Krimighna

• Rechana

• Raktashodhaka

• Kushtaghna

• Vishaghna

Modern Actions

• Anti-ulcer

• Anti-parasitic

• Anti-fungal

• Anti-bacterial

• Anti-inflammatory

• Anti-acne

• Anti-dandruff

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Therapeutic Uses

Ayurvedic Indications

• Kustha

• Kandu

• Visphota

• Gandamala

• Udaravikara

• Krimiroga

• Raktavikara

• Kaasa

• Shvasha

Clinical Uses

• Epilepsy

• Neurological disorders

• Psoriasis

• Migraine

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Useful Part

• Fruit

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Dose

• Powder: 3–6 g