CASSIA ALATA

Common name: Candle bush, Ringworm shrub, Dadmurdan दादमुर्दन (Hindi), Seemaiagathi (Tamil), Simayakatti (Malayalam)

Botanical name: Senna alata      

Family: Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar family)

Synonyms: Cassia alata

Geographical distribution

It is native to the Amazon Rainforest and can be found in Peru, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela and Colombia. Due to its beauty, it has been cultivated around the world as an ornamental plant and has naturalized in many tropical regions in the world including tropical Africa, tropical Asia, Australia, Mexico, the Caribbean islands, Melanesia, Polynesia, Hawaii and widely distributed throughout the different parts of India like, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh etc.

Introduction: This plant, a 6 - 25 feet tall, perennial shrub, has erect waxy yellow spikes that resemble fat candles before the individual blossoms open. The large leaves are bilateral - symetrical opposed and fold together at night. The fruit is a pod, while the seeds are small and square. The leaves contain chrysophanic acid.

Chemical constituents

It  contain a group of chemicals called anthraquinones. These chemicals are well known for their laxative effect. Leaves also contain a chemical called adenine which has been documented as an effective platelet aggregating inhibitor (reduces sticky blood and arterial plaque). Other chemicals are  chrysoeriol-7-O-(2"-O-beta-Dmannopyranosyl)-beta- Dallopyranoside, kaempferol, kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside, naringenin, quercetin, and rhamnetin-3-O-(2"-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-Dallopyranosid

Medicinal Uses: The leaves are reported to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, being used in the same manner as senna. The leaves are commonly used for ringworm and other skin diseases. The leaves in decoction are also used to treat bronchitis and asthma. Because of it's anti-fungal properties, it is a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and lotions in the Philippines.

Flowers and Fruits: January