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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Natural Saponin Surfactant, Anti-Dandruff & Pediculicidal Monarch (清热解毒 / 祛风止痒化痰开窍消积杀虫止屑 — 天然植物表面活性剂第一无患子皂果 / 传统天然洗发洗涤圣果)

    无患子 / 肥珠子 / 油患子 / 苦患树 / 洗手果 / 木患子 — Sapindus rarak DC. (and Sapindus saponaria L., Sapindus mukorossi)

    Pinyin: Wúhuànzǐ / Féizhūzǐ / Xǐshǒuguǒ · Malay: Lerak / Buah Sabun / Sabun Hutan / Rarak · Family: Sapindaceae (无患子科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 苦寒), Mildly Toxic internally in large doses (有小毒)

    Flavor

    Intensely bitter, slightly acrid, foaming surfactant (大苦、辛、微寒、泡沫丰富、麻舌)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Large Intestine (大肠)

    Traditional Edict

    Soapberry / Lerak (Buah Sabun / Wu Huan Zi). Wrinkled golden-amber berry rinds producing rich natural foam in water. Supreme non-chemical surfactant: eliminates stubborn dandruff (Malassezia), halts scalp itching, eradicates head lice, clears eczema.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • EYE IRRITATION WARNING: Soapberry saponin foam stings eyes intensely (rinse thoroughly with clear water if contact occurs). Ingestion in large amounts causes vomiting and diarrhea. STRICTLY EXTERNAL.

    Clinical Applications

    • Seborrheic dermatitis and severe scalp dandruff (Malassezia furfur lysis), pediculosis capitis (head lice destruction), acne vulgaris, chronic weeping eczema, and non-chemical hypoallergenic washing.

    Quality Markers

    Mukuroziosides (Triterpenoid Saponins) >= 15.0%-25.0% & Hederagenin (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Mukurozioside triterpene saponins lower water surface tension to create stable micellar cleansing foam while disrupting Malassezia fungal cell membranes (MIC < 3.12 mg/mL). 2. Anti-lice ovicidal action. 3. Saponin expectorant.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN LERAK NATURAL ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO: 10 to 15 dried deseeded Lerak rinds boiled in 500 mL water for 20 min until foaming; expressed liquid used as 100% natural organic shampoo 2x weekly. Laundry liquid: 5-8 whole soapnuts in cotton bag in wash.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Botanical Scalp Care Shampoo with Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Bunga Raya) and Rosemary. 2. Natural Head Lice & Scabies Wash with Stemona sessilifolia (Bai Bu).

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    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only