Amaltas (Cassia Fistula Linn.)
Introduction
Amaltas (Cassia fistula Linn. aslo known as Bactyrilobium fistula Willd,) (Cassia) belongs to the family Caesalpiniaceae. In Urdu language, it is commonly known as “Amaltas” and in English language “Indian Laburnum”. It has been extensively used in Unani system of medicine for various ailments in India. The plant is cultivated as an ornamental throughout India.
It is a deciduous and mixed-monsoon forest throughout greater parts of India, ascending to 1300 m in outer Himalaya. It has been reported to possess hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antifungal etc. properties. It is also used to check wounds healing, as an antibacterial. It also regulates the hormonal imbalances in the body.
Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Subkingdom – Tracheobinota
Super Division: Spermatophyta
Division: Mangoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Sub Class: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabacae
Genus: Cassia
Species: Fistula
Vernacular Names
English: Indian Laburnum, Purging Fistula, Cassia, Golden Shower
Gujrati: Garmala
Hindi: Sonhali, Amultus Kannad Kakkemara
Tamil: Shrakkonnai, Konai, Irjviruttam
Telugu: Kondrakayi, Raelachettu, Aragvadhamu, Koelapenna
Sanskrit: Nripadruma
Arabic: Khiyar Shambar
Urdu: Amaltaas, Chamkani
Temperament: The temperament of Cassia fistula Linn. is
1st order, warm and moist, 2nd order, warm and dry.
The temperament of pulp of Amaltas (Mizaaj-e- Maghz-e- Amaltas) is
Hot and wet first degree (Garm wa Tar Darja-e- Awwal)
Pharmacological Actions/ Functions (Afa’al):
The pharmacological Actions of Cassia fistula Linn. are Mushil (Purgative), Muhallil-e- Auram (Anti-inflammatory), Mulayyan-e- sadr (Laxative), Antipyretic (Dafa-e- Humma), Anti-phlegmatic (Dafa-e- Balgham), Carminative (Kaasir-e- Ryaah), Decongestant, Demulcent, Ecbolic, Emetic (Muqi), Emmenagogue (Mudirr-e- Haiz), Expectorant (Munaffis-e- Balgham), Febrifuge and Tonic (Muqawwi).
Seeds are specially:
Root is specially:
Pulp is specially:
Specific Action (Nafa-e- Khaas): Mushil-e- Akhlat-e- Salasa
Medicinal Uses of different Parts of Amaltas (Cassia Fistula Linn.)
Fruit of Amaltas (Cassia fistula Linn.): Fruit is indicated in Rheumatism, Gout, Diabetes, Thoracic Obstructions etc.
Leaves of Amaltas (Cassia Fistula Linn.)
The leaves of amaltas are laxative (Mulayyan-e- sadr) and used externally as emollient, a poultice is used for insect bites, swelling, rheumatism and facial paralysis. Leaves also possess anti periodic and laxative properties. They are specially used in jaundice, piles, rheumatism ulcers and also externally skin eruptions, ring worms and eczema.
Juice of leaves is useful as dressing for ringworm, relieving irritation and relief of dropsical swelling. Its leaves and bark mixed with oil are applied to pustules, insect bites
Its leaves and flowers are both purgative like the pulp.
Root of Amaltas (Cassia Fistula Linn.)
The root of amaltas is tonic, febrifuge, astringent and strong purgative. They are specially used in joint pain, migraine, chest pain and blood dysentery. Amaltas root is also useful in fever, heart diseases, retained excretions and biliousness. It is also used in cardiac disorders biliousness, rheumatic condition, haemorrhages, wounds, ulcers and boils and various skin diseases. The extract of the root lowered the blood sugar level up to 30 %.
Ashes from burnt pods mixed with little salt are used with honey taking 3- 4 times to relieve cough.
Flowers of Amaltas (Cassia Fistula Linn.)
Flowers and pods of the amaltas are used as purgative, febrifugal, biliousness and astringent. The 50% ethanolic extract of pods show antifertility activity in female albino rats. The heated pods are applied to swellings on the neck due to cold. Pulp is given in disorders of liver.
The amaltas is used as analgesic as an antipyretic, it is a remedy for malaria and other fevers.
The extract of the flower inhibits the ovarian function and stimulate the uterine function in albino rats. Amaltas fruits are used in the treatment of diabetes. 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 Indications of Decoction (Pods) of Cassia fistula Linn. are Inflammations and Diphtheria.
Seeds of Amaltas (Cassia Fistula Linn.)
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
Bark of Amaltas (Cassia Fistula Linn.)
The bark possess tonic and antidysentric properties, it is also used for skin complaints, the powder or decoction of the bark is administered in leprosy, jaundice, syphilis and heart diseases. The aqueous extract of the root bark exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. The stem bark is used against amenorrhoea, chest pain and swellings. It is specially indicated in Ring Worm.
Contra Indications of Amaltas (Cassia fistula Linn.): Fever, Piles, Colitis, Spastic Constipation.
Compound Preparations
Doses:
