Evidence supporting the use of: Soapberry
For the health condition: Fungal Infections
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Soapberry (Sapindus spp.), also known as soapnut, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurvedic and Chinese systems. It is commonly used as a natural cleanser due to its high saponin content, which produces lather when mixed with water. Traditional healers have utilized soapberry extracts to wash skin and hair, and it has been employed to address various skin conditions, including fungal infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot. The rationale is that its cleansing action helps to remove pathogens from the skin surface, and some traditional texts ascribe mild antimicrobial properties to the plant.
However, scientific studies specifically evaluating soapberry’s efficacy against fungal pathogens are limited. Some in vitro research has shown that saponins from plants can exhibit antifungal activity, but direct evidence for Sapindus spp. is sparse and largely preliminary. Most available data are anecdotal or based on historical use rather than rigorous clinical trials. As such, while there is a traditional basis for using soapberry to support the treatment of fungal infections, scientific validation is lacking, and the evidence is best rated as modest.
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