Amaltas, Purging Cassia (Cassia Fistula)

Cassia fistula, commonly known as golden shower, purging cassia, or Indian laburnum is a flowering plant in the Caesalpiniaceae of the legume family, subfamily, Fabaceae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia. It ranges from eastward throughout India to Myanmar and Thailand. It is a ornamental plant and is also used in herbal medicine. It is both the national tree and national flower of Thailand.

It is the state flower of Kerala in India. It is antipyretic, abortifacient, demulcent, decreases inflammation and heat of the body useful in chest complaints, throat troubles, liver complaints and diseases of eye and gripping. The pulp of the fruit around the seeds is a mild purgative. The seeds of amaltas are emetic, used in constipation and have cathartic properties. The seeds are slightly sweet and possess laxative, carminative, cooling, improves the appetite and antipyretic activity. They seeds are useful in jaundice, biliousness, skin disease and in swollen throat. Its dried seeds produce marked hypoglycaemic activity. The Seeds powder of amaltas used in amoebiasis. The fruit pulp is used for constipation, colic, and urinary disorders.

Active Ingredients of Amaltas

Amaltas contains Sugar, mucilage, pectin, Anthraquinones 1.5% & Fistulic Acid. Main chemical components are:

•   Anthraquinones
•   Fistulic acid
•   Rhein
•   Rheinglucoside
•   Sennosides A and B
•   Phlobaphenes
•   Emodin
•   Chrysophanic acid
•   Fistuacacidin
•   Lupeol
•   Beta-sitosterol and hexacosanol.

Different Names

•   English Name : Indian Laburnum, Purging cassia
•   Hindi Name: Amaltas
•   Sanskrit Name : Krtamala, Vyadhighata, Sampaka, Nrpadruma
•   Assamese Name : Sonaroo
•   Bengali Name : Sondala
•   Kannada Name : Aragvadha, Kakke, Kakke-gida, Kakkernara, Kakkedai, Rajataru
•   Kashmiri Name : Kriyangal Phali
•   Tamil Name : Sarakonrai, Sarak konnai, Sarak kondi, Sharakkonrai
•   Telugu Name : Rela.

Classification of Amaltas

•   Kingdom Plantae : Plants
•   Subkingdom Tracheobionta : Vascular plants
•   Superdivision Spermatophyta : Seed plants
•   Division Magnoliophyta : Flowering plants
•   Class Magnoliopsida : Dicotyledons
•   Subclass : Rosidae
•   Order : Fabales
•   Family Fabaceae : Pea family
•   Genus Cassia L. : cassia P
•   Species Cassia fistula L. : golden shower P

Habitat of Amaltas

Grows in valleys upto 1200 m in Himalayas.

Uses & Effectiveness

Amaltas is not only a beautiful tree but also extremely beneficial to the human body. Here are some of the countless health benefits that this tree offers:

•   Intestinal Disorders
•   Constipation
•   Skin disorders
•   Common Cold
•   Immunity Booster
•   Fever
•   Fights inflammation
•   Helps cure dyspepsia
•   Cure for erysipelas

Effect on Doshas

Balances Vata and Pitta.

Ayurvedic Properties of Amaltas

Part Used

•   Legume
•   Fruit pulp
•   Seeds
•   Bark
•   Wood

Side Effects of Amaltas

Consuming Amaltas in excess can lead to:

•   Diarrhoea and excessive discomfort.
•   Purgation
•   Cold and cough as it is cooling in nature.