Shikekai plant
From an Ayurvedic point of view, Shikekai is not just a hair wash but also full of medicinal properties. Shikekai contains 11.2 percent saponins (i.e. foaming agents), 12.75 percent malic acid. Shikekai is stimulant, bitter, emetic and cooling. This is why shikekai is used in case of inflammation.
Shikekai plant
Information
(Hin. Kochi, Ritha; Gu. Chikkakhai, Satla; K. Seegeballi; San. Saptala, Shattala, Charmaksha, Vimala; In. Soap-pod tree; La. Acacia sinuata, A. concinna; Cul-Leguminoi, Sub-cul-Mimozoidei ). Among the flowering plants [Dicots → Plants, Subdivision Arytobia] this familiar and useful thorn vine is found throughout India in moist forests (Deccan, Konkan and U.Karwar, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Bihar), as well as in China, Malaya and Myanmar. Its pods are available in the market under the name ‘Shikekai’.
Legumes
As Shikekai is related to ⇨ Acacia, ⇨ Khair and ⇨ Hivar etc., many of their physical characteristics are similar. Out of the total 700 varieties of this plant species Acacia, only about 25 are found. Shikekai has a thick trunk and branches with small white spots [holes; → vulkarandhra] and has small curved spines at the tip. The leaves are alternate, jointed and pinnate, with fine curved spines on the midvein and glands on the underside of the stem. There are 4-8 pairs of legs and 10-20 pairs of legs. Flowers round in panicles [like stabka; → Pushpabandha] come. They are small and yellow and come in the months of March to May. Flower structure and other general physical characteristics are as described in ⇨ Leguminoe family (or Shimbavant family) and Mimozoidei or Shirish subfamily. The dry fruit (pod) is flat, thick, 7·5-12·5 X 2-2·8 cm., reddish tinged, wrinkled and somewhat warty. The seeds are 6-10, black and smooth and the fruit bursts open.
Usage
Shikekai powder is boiled in water and used for bathing.
It destroys dandruff and lice in hair and improves hair growth.
Powder
Does not dry the skin. Ray
The powder is good for washing damp and hot clothes and tarnished silverware and utensils.
The bark is used to dye fishing nets and ropes and increase their durability.
Green color is obtained from turmeric and shikekai leaves.
A chutney of young leaves (made with salt, tamarind and chilies) or leaves with black pepper is good for jaundice; The juice of the leaves is sour and mild laxative and effective against colds and the extract of the pods is choleretic, expectorant (thins out phlegm), vantikarak (emetic) and laxative (laxative).
Ointment made with shikekai powder is applied on skin diseases.
Legumes are used in China and Japan for kidney and bladder disorders.
The seeds provide for easy delivery.
Cattle should be fed with buttermilk along with shikekai seeds in case of poisoning.
Shikekai powder is available in the market.
Shikekai has some properties similar to ritha [→ ritha], as saponin is a glycoside of 5% in the legume. Shikekai soaps are available in the market. ‘
In the Sushruta Samhita Shikekai is mentioned under the name Saptala in the category of herbs.
Legumes
Some more uses
Shikekai is constipating. Constipation is a mixture of half a spoon of shikekai powder, half a spoon of badi shop powder and half a spoon of licorice powder in 1 glass of water before going to bed.
Boil one spoon of shikekai powder in one glass of water if you have kidney stones. Filter the water after half of the flour. Drink a cup of Shikekai water daily for eight days.
Shikekai is best used in cases of dermatitis, especially fungal infections. Mix 2 spoons of shikekai powder, 1 spoon of bauchi powder, 1 spoon of camphor kachari powder, 1 spoon of licorice powder and 1 spoon of amla powder. This powder should be mixed with water and rubbed on the skin affected area at the time of bath.
Leaf
Shikekai is considered best for hair. Oiliness of hair goes away . But the hair is not dry. If Ritha is used in proper amount with Shikekai, hair is better.For Shikekai 100g, Ritha 20g, Fenugreek 20g, Licorice 20g, Methi 25g.
Grind all the above ingredients together. Boil two teaspoons of this mixture in half a liter of water and wash your hair with this water. This improves hair condition manifold. Hair becomes soft and shiny like silk.
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स्त्रोत : मराठी विश्वकोश
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