The volatile oil obtained from the leaves, roots and seeds showed antibacterial and antifungal activity.
The seeds, when fed to animals, resulted in weight loss and also were found to be toxic to experimental animals. Leaves are preferred to quinine as a tonic, seeds are considered as a haemateinic toxic and root is used as a hepatic tonic.
Dosage Seed—3—6 g powder;
leaf—10—20 ml juice; root bark— 50—100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)
Cassia sophera Linn.
Family Calsalpiniaceae.
Habitat In gardens as hedge throughout India.
English Sophera Senna.
Ayurvedic Kaasamarda.
Unani Kasondi.
Siddha/Tamil Ponnaavaarai.
Action Leaves, seeds, bark— cathartic; considered specific for
130 Cassia tora Linn.
ringworm and other skin diseases (bark may cause dermatitis); used for bronchitis and asthma.
A paste of leaves is used for treating piles. An infusion of fresh leaves, with sugar, is given in jaundice. Plant is spasmolytic. Alcoholic extract of leaves is intestinal and bronchial muscle relaxant.
The leaves contain a flavone glycoside and sennoside. Root bark contains anthraquinones, chrysophanol, physcion and beta-sitosterol. Heart- wood gave isomeric derivatives, 1,2, 7- trihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone, along with sopheranin, beta-sitosterol, chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, 1- octadecanol and quercetin.
Cassia tora Linn.
Family Calsalpiniaceae.
Habitat Throughout India as a weed.
English Sickle Senna, Ringworm Plant.
Ayurvedic Chakramarda, Chakri, Prapunnaada, Dadrughna, Meshalochana, Padmaata, Edagaja.
Unani Penwaad Taarutaa.
Siddha/Tamil Ushittgarai.
Folk Chakavad, Daadamaari.
Action Leaves—taken internally to prevent skin diseases; applied against eczema and ringworm; pounded and applied on cuts, act like tincture of iodine. Seeds, soaked in water, are taken for
