Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.
Aliases：Mu Huan Zi、You Huan Zi、Xi Shou Guo、Pu Ti Zi、Fei Zhu Zi、You Zao Guo、Yuan Fei Zao、Gui Yuan Fei Zao、Ku Huan Shu、Huang Mu Shu、Mu Lang Shu, etc.
Wuhuanzi (Soapberry Seed), a Chinese medicinal, is the seed of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn., a plant of the Sapindaceae family (genus Sapindus).
Efficacy & Actions
Clear heat and eliminate phlegm, resolve food stagnation and eliminate parasites.
Indications
Throat impediment with swelling and pain, lung heat cough and wheezing, hoarseness, food stagnation, infantile malnutrition (gan accumulation), abdominal pain due to roundworms, trichomonal vaginitis, tinea (fungal skin infection), and toxic swellings.
Modern Pharmacology
1. Antibacterial effect: Inhibits various pathogenic microorganisms. 2. Antihypertensive effect: Subcutaneous injection of saponins extracted from Soapberry causes a decrease in blood pressure in rabbits. 3. Hepatoprotective effect: Protects against liver injury. 4. Antitumor and anti‑inflammatory effects: Exhibits antitumor and anti‑inflammatory activities. 5. Antioxidant effect: Possesses antioxidant properties.
Ingredients
1. Triterpenoid saponins: Mukurozisaponin X, Y1, Y2, E, G; mukuroziside Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, etc. 2. Fatty acids: Behenic acid, tetracosanoic acid (lignoceric acid), oleic acid, etc. 3. Carbohydrates: Starch, pentosan, total non‑fibrous carbohydrates, etc. 4. Others: Proteins, fatty oils, glycolipids, amino acids, vitamins, etc.
Usage & Dosage
1. Internal use: 3–6 g in decoction; or ground into powder. 2. External use: Appropriate amount, burned to ash or ground into powder for blowing into the throat or rubbing on the teeth; or decocted for washing; or prepared as an ointment for application. 3. Precautions for use: Use with caution in cases of spleen‑stomach deficiency cold.
Contraindications
1. Contraindicated populations: Contraindicated in cases of spleen‑stomach deficiency cold; use with caution in wind‑cold cough. 2. Special populations: Use with caution during pregnancy; use with caution in children. 3. Precautions for use: This product is slightly toxic; excessive or long‑term use should be avoided. For external use of the peel, apply an appropriate amount to avoid skin irritation.
Selected Formulas
1. For throat impediment (laryngitis) (Source: Pu Ji Fang – Universal Relief Prescriptions) Grind soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi) into powder and blow into the throat. 2. For tonsillitis (acute mastitis/parotitis) (Source: Fujian Materia Medica) Take 9 g each of soapberry seed (kernel) and Fengweicao (Pteris multifida). Decoct in water and take orally. 3. For whooping cough, common cold with fever (Source: Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 3 soapberry kernels (seeds). Decoct in water and take orally. 4. For asthma (Source: Zhejiang Medicinal Flora) Grind soapberry seeds into powder. Take 6 g each time, mixed with boiling water. 5. For abdominal distension due to qi stagnation in children (Source: Lingnan Herbal Medicine Records) Take 3–4 soapberry kernels (seeds). Bake until cooked and eat. 6. For infantile malnutrition (gan accumulation) (Source: Lingnan Herbal Medicine Records) Take 6–7 soapberry kernels (baked until cooked), together with one scorched rat (burned to ash). Grind into powder. Divide into 3–4 doses, each dose steamed with pork liver. 7. For swollen and painful gums (toothache) (Source: Pu Ji Fang – Universal Relief Prescriptions) Take 30 g of soapberry fruit (Sapindi Mukorossi Fructus), 30 g each of rhubarb (Dahuang) and nutgrass flat sedge (Xiangfu), and 15 g of green salt (Qingyan). Seal with clay, calcine, grind into powder. Use daily for tooth brushing.
Daily Consumption
1. Soapberry Root and Pork Bone Soup Ingredients: Soapberry root 30 g, pork bones 200 g. Preparation: Add 3 bowls of water and decoct until 1 bowl remains. Add salt to taste. Action: Clears heat, drains fire and resolves toxin. Suitable for wind‑fire toothache and stomach heat toothache. 2. Steamed Soapberry Kernel Ingredients: Soapberry kernels 3–4 pieces. Preparation: Steam until cooked, then eat. Action: Treats abdominal distension due to qi stagnation in children. 3. Soapberry Peel Tea Ingredients: Soapberry peel (fruit peel) 10 g, honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua) 10 g. Preparation: Decoct in water and drink as tea. Action: Clears heat and relieves sore throat. Treats sore throat (laryngopharyngitis).
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts of Soapberry are the dried ripe seed; the pulp and root bark may also be used medicinally.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place in an airtight container, protected from moisture and insects. The peel and seeds may be separated and dried separately in the sun. After drying, the texture becomes brittle, which facilitates long‑term storage.