Saponaria rice is the seed of the Saponaria tree.

Saponaria rice, commonly known as snowdrops, soap nuts, and soap extract, is the fruit of the soap pod. Is a high-energy, high-carbohydrate, low-protein, low-fat food. And contains plant dietary fiber. It has the effect of nourishing the heart, clearing the liver and eyesight.

With water heating expansion, gelatinous translucent, glutinous moist mouth, is to reconcile the body's internal organs function of the precious natural green tonic food. Soapberry rice divided into single pods and double pods, for the seeds of the legume soap pods. Harvested in the fall when the fruit is ripe, peel the seeds and dry them in the sun. Insects and moths.

Soapberry, also known as soapberry tree, soap horn, etc., is a legume soapberry deciduous trees or small trees, up to 30 meters high; branches gray to dark brown; thorns stout, cylindrical, often branched, more conical. Leaves are pinnately compound, margins serrulate, pubescent above, slightly pilose on midvein below; reticulate veins conspicuous, raised on both surfaces; petiolules pubescent. Flowers polygamous, yellow-white, forming racemes; inflorescences axillary or terminal; male flowers with oblong petals. Pods strap-shaped, straight or twisted, flesh slightly thick, both surfaces dropsy, curved into a crescent, seedless; fruit neck 1 to 3.5 cm; petals leathery, brownish brown or reddish brown, often covered with white powdery cream; seeds many, brown, shiny. Fl. March to May; fr. May to Dec.

Produced in many provinces and regions of China. It grows in forests on mountain slopes or in valleys and roadsides, at altitudes from the flatlands to 2500 m. It is often cultivated in gardens or houses. Often cultivated in gardens or beside houses. Wood hard, for vehicles, furniture timber; pods decoction can be used instead of soap to wash silk and woolen fabrics; young shoots oil and salt seasoning, and the seeds can be eaten boiled and candied. Pods, seeds, thorns are used in medicine, expectorant and diuretic, cough, swelling and pus, insecticide ringworm effect.