Seekai (சீகைக்காய்) is shikakai, the soap-pod. AVM Herbals’ Seekai Powder is titled “Shikakai” and its listing writes the plant as Acacia concinna; Kew treats that name as a synonym of Senegalia rugata (family Fabaceae).
Names at a glance
- Tamil: சீகைக்காய் (Seekai), the spelling AVM Herbals uses; Tamil Wikipedia uses சிகைக்காய் (Sigaikkai) and titles its page சிகைக்காய்ச் செடி for the plant
- English: shikakai, soap-pod
- Botanical: Senegalia rugata (Lam.) Britton & Rose (family Fabaceae); AVM’s listing writes Acacia concinna
- Part used in AVM’s powder: pod (the soap-pod, as described in AVM’s product information)
The name on the listing
AVM Herbals’ listing gives the bare name Acacia concinna, without an author. Kew lists Acacia concinna (Willd.) DC., the botanical name used for shikakai in this context, as a heterotypic synonym of the accepted species Senegalia rugata (Lam.) Britton & Rose. The bare name appears on more than one botanical record, so this page follows only Kew’s record for (Willd.) DC. That mapping rests on the product being named Shikakai and on the matching Tamil and common names; it is not a physical authentication of any batch.
The name சிகைக்காய்
Tamil Wikipedia explains the word சிகைக்காய் as சிகை (hair) plus காய் (fruit), and gives the botanical name Acacia concinna on its page for the plant.
In the AVM Herbals range
Seekai Powder is AVM Herbals’ shikakai powder; its product information describes the part as the soap-pod. Its product page gives the directions for use and the pack sizes; please follow the directions on the pack. AVM Herbals lists it in the Hair Care and Hair and Skin collections.
Herbal products are not suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition, please speak to a qualified practitioner before starting any herbal product.
தமிழில் சுருக்கம்
சீகைக்காய் (சிகைக்காய்) என்பது ஏவிஎம் ஹெர்பல்ஸ் “Shikakai” என்று குறிப்பிடும் பொருளின் தமிழ்ப் பெயர். ஏவிஎம் பட்டியல் Acacia concinna என்ற பெயரைத் தருகிறது; Kew அதை Senegalia rugata என்ற ஏற்கப்பட்ட பெயரின் ஒத்த பெயராகக் கருதுகிறது. ஏவிஎம் தயாரிப்புத் தகவல் இதன் பகுதியாகக் காயைக் (soap-pod) குறிப்பிடுகிறது. பயன்படுத்தும் முறைக்குத் தயாரிப்புப் பக்கத்தைப் பார்க்கவும்.
References
- Kew Plants of the World Online (POWO) — Senegalia rugata (Lam.) Britton & Rose, accepted species, family Fabaceae (botanical identity and accepted name only): powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:518300-1
- Kew Plants of the World Online (POWO) — Acacia concinna (Willd.) DC., listed as a heterotypic synonym of Senegalia rugata: powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:470033-1
- International Plant Names Index (IPNI), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Senegalia rugata (Lam.) Britton & Rose (name record): ipni.org/n/518300-1
- English Wikipedia — Senegalia rugata (the species page): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalia_rugata
- Tamil Wikipedia — சிகைக்காய்ச் செடி (Tamil name and its explanation): ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/சிகைக்காய்ச்_செடி
- AVM Herbals product listing (title “Shikakai”, Tamil product name சீகைக்காய் பொடி and ingredient line): Seekai Powder
These references establish the plant’s identity and accepted name and the Tamil names; the part comes from AVM Herbals’ own product information, not from a physical test of any batch, and none of this is evidence of health effects. This is general traditional-use information, not medical advice.
About this guide
Published by AVM Herbals. Prepared with AI assistance from the cited botanical sources and AVM product listings. Tamil wording is awaiting native review. Suggest a correction.