The Indian Laburnam is a tree with golden coloured flowers; hence it is considered as an auspicious tree. A lovely tree to look at, its beauty is enhanced in its flowering seasons when it is called “Golden shower”. It is believed that the serpent like “Kundalini” energy resides in the coiled stamen of the flower. In fact one of its name in sanskrit is “Kundalini”.
Botanical name:- Cassia Fistula, Family Leguminosae
English: Indian Laburnam, Purging Cassia, Pudding Pipe tree.
Sanskrit: Swarnaka, Aragvadham, Raja Vriksha, Kundalini, Karnikara
Tamil: Konnei, Perum Konnei, Sara konnei etc.
Hindi: Amaltas Telugu: Rela Kayulu Kannada: Kakke
Parts used:- Root, Bark, Leaves, Fruit, Seeds.
Plant description: A deciduous tree, cassia grows to a height of 6 to 9 metres. It has large, spreading branches. It has compound leaves and large, shining dark green leaflets. The bark of the young branches are Green – Yellow – Pale brown in colour while that of mature branches is pale brown. The golden yellow flowers with petioles are sweet – scented and aromatic. The tree flowers in April, once in a year. The profuse blossom of the golden flowers completely covers the tree and provides a feast to the eyes; hence the name “Golden shower”. The seeds, as the fruits nature, separate from each other. The fruit which starts with a single cell, becomes multi – celled. The fruits looks like a shepherds pipe and hence the name ‘fistula’.
Distribution: The cassia tree is indigenous to India. It is grown all over the country upto an altifude of 1500 metres. For decorative value, it is planted along avenues, parks, and or road sides. It is common in rain – forents and moist lands. The cassia tree is also found in Srilanka, Mauritus, South Africa, China, Brazil etc.
The bark of the root can be easily removed. The pod is 40-70 cm long, 20-27 mm circumference, straight or curved. Each pod contains 25 to 100 seeds.
Chemistry: The leaves contain Anthraquinone derivatives and very little tannin. Root bark contains tannin. Phlobaphenes and oxy – anthraquinone substances. Fruit pulp contains Rhein, (major anthra quinone derivative) small amount of volatile oil, three waxy substances and a resinous substance.
Uses
Apt to its sanskrit name, cassia destroys germs. It declars “No entry to diseases”. The great Ayurvedic Gurus, Caraka and Sushruta used this herb for treating skin diseases. Caraka had written one exclusive chapter on how to use cassia – for skin afflictions. Dhanwantri “Nigandu” (Text) mentions cassia as a good medicine for fever and skin diseases. Brihat Nigandu Rathnakara informs that cassia tree leaves reduce fever, the flowers and seeds reduce kapha and pitta and the fruit pulp stimulates appetite.
Caraka listed 12 types of medicinal formulations, using cassia.
Cassia is a good remedy for skin diseases, obesity and high cholesterol levels. It is used for treating leprosy and leucoderma.
• The bark of the tree alleviates body – aches, prevents infections
• The fruit – pulp is an effective anti – septic, anti – bacterial substance. The Tuberculosis bacteria “Mycobacterium Tuberculosis” can be destroyed by cassia. The extract prepared from the seeds can eliminate salmonella Typhi, coryne bacterium Diphtheriae, the bacteria that cause Typhoid and Diptheria respectively. the powdered seeds can destroy “Amoeba” micro organisons. This has been proved in experiment conducted with rats. In general the tree bark is inimical to viruses. The tree roots are inimical to fungus.
• “The milk” extracted from the bark of the cassia root is a good medicine for Arthritis and psoriasis. Reduces itching and irritation of the skin.
• Good tonic for heart.
• Cassia leaves reduce sugar level in diabetic patients and also cholesterol levels.
• Dried cassia fruit is a safe laxative.
Utilisation
1. Extract 150 m.l of Juice from the leaves of cassia fistula. Take this with sugar to get rid of intestinal worms.
2. Juice of the leaves can be applied on ring warm affected parts for a effective remedy.
3. Grind the leaves in fruit juice and apply the mixture all over the body to get rid of itching, eczema etc.
4. Add the flowers to drinking water and use for alleviating stomach pain, intestinal disorders.
5. Soak the flowers in honey overnight and take it in the morning. It acts as a mild laxative.
6. Add the flowers to milk and consume. Internal parts of the body are strengthened – Good tonic for lean persons.
7. For reducing cholesterol, over – body weight (obesity) – Take Decoction of the bark (60 ml) with Honey (5 ml), daily twice of 2 months.
8. Take for a month the paste prepared with the bark of cassia, to lessen the pain of arthritis and for eliminating stomach – worms.
9. Mix extract of tender leaves (5 to 10 gm) in a glass of butter – milk. Take this for a month, to loose weight.
10. Similary, a mixure of flowers with Butter milk, taken regularly, heals ulcers.
Ayurveda refers to cassia fistula as a “king tree” (Raja Vriksha). It has so many uses, hence naturally, cassia fistula is a real royal tree.
Cassia – The Golden Tree
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