Cassia fistula - Aragvadha

Cissampelos, Patha

Cassia fistula known as the golden rain tree, canafistula and by other names, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia. It ranges from southern Pakistan eastward throughout India to Myanmar and Thailand and south to Sri Lanka.

Uses

Fever, Skin diseases, Rheumatic diseases, Cervical lyrnphadenitis, Cardiac diseases, Worm Infestations, Abdominal pain.

Parts Used

Fruit pulp, Bark, root

Chemical Composition

Leaves contain anthraquinone derivatives, tannins, free rhein, rhein glycoside, Sennoside-A and Sennoside-B. They also contained kaempferol glycosides.^[1]

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	Aragvadha, Kakke, Kakke-gida, Kakkernara, Kakkedai, Rajataru
Hindi	Amaltas
Malayalam	Konna, Kritamalam
Tamil	Sarakonrai, Sarak konnai, Sarak kondi, Sharakkonrai
Telugu	Rela
Marathi	Bahava, Garamala, Amaltas
Gujarathi	Garamala, Garamalo
Punjabi	Amaltas
Kashmiri	Kriyangal Phali
Sanskrit	Krathamaala, Vyaadighata, Shampaaka
English	Indian Laburnum, Purging cassia

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Madhura (Sweet)

Guna

Guru

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Madhura (Sweet)

Karma

Recana

Prabhava

Habit

Herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
alternate	pinnate	20 to 40 cm long pinnate, leaflets in 4 to 6 pairs, colour greenish, ovate with numerous nerves

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	5 petals	bright yellowish	10 stemens	Lax pendulous racemes flowering season February to April

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
cylindrical pod	30 to 45cm long	brownish black in colour	flat, testa very hard, smooth, numerous, present between the pulp		{{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

^[2]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

cuttings, layering, vegetative

How to plant/cultivate

Seed. The seeds have a hard seed coat and germination is improved by mechanical scarification or treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid for at least 45 minutes. Pre-soaking for 12 - 24 hours in warm water can also be tried. The seed should be sown in full light, and adequate water supply is required for optimal germination - the seed can increase three times in weight by absorbing water. Germination takes place within a few days. Direct sowing is practised in Asia. Seed can be stored for prolonged periods without loss of viability. Cuttings of half ripe wood.^[3]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical area.

Photo Gallery

Flowers
Flower
Pod
Seeds

References

External Links

[chemical_composition-1] "Phytochemistry"

[Ayurvedic_preparations-2] "Ayurvedic preparations"

[Cultivation_details-3] "Cultivation details"

[1]

[2]

[3]

Cassia fistula - Aragvadha

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