Synonym C. obtusa Roxb.
Family Calsalpiniaceae.
Habitat Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
English Spanish, Sudan Senna.
Ayurvedic Maarkandikaa, Svarnapattri. (related species)
Folk Sonaamukhi, Sanaai.
Cassia sophera Linn. 129
Action An adulterant of the true senna. Leaves and seeds—purgative and anthelmintic.
Cassia obtusifolia Linn.
Family Calsalpiniaceae.
Habitat FromJammuandHimachal Pradesh to West Bengal, also in central and western India, up to an altitude of 1,200 m.
Ayurvedic Chakramarda, Prapunnaada.
Folk Chakondaa, Chakwar, Pumariaa.
Action Pods—Antidysenteric, antibacterial, antifungal. Seeds— used for ringworm and skin diseases also for cough, cold, asthma, and as a mild purgative in liver complaints.
Cassia occidentalis Linn.
Family Calsalpiniaceae.
Habitat Throughout India, up to an altitude of 1,500 m.
English Coffee Senna, Foetid Cassia, Negro Coffee.
Ayurvedic Kaasamarda, Kaasaari.
Unani Kasondi.
Sidd ha/Tamil Paeyaavarai, Thagarai.
Folk Kasondi (bigger var.).
Action Purgative, diuretic, febrifugal, expectorant, stomachic. Leaves—used internally and externally in scabies, ringworm and other skin diseases. A hot decoction
is given as an antiperiodic. Seeds— used for cough, whooping cough and convulsions. Roasted seeds (roasting destroys the purgative property) are mixed with coffee for strength.
The pods contain sennosides and anthraquinones; seeds polysaccharides, galactomannan; leaves dianthronic hetroside; pericarp apigenin; roots emodol; plant xanthone—cassiolin; seeds phytosterolin; flowers physcion and its glucosides, emodin and betasitosterol.
