Cassia alata Linn.
Family Caesalpiniaceae.
Habitat Native to the West Indies. Found wild almost throughout India.
English Ringworm Cassia.
Ayurvedic Dadrughna, Dadrumardana.
Siddha Malanthakerai, Seemai agathi (Tamil).
Folk Daadmaari.
Action Leaf—used in skin diseases like herpes, blotch, eczema, mycosis (washerman’s itch). Dried leaves— in leprosy. A strong decoction is used for ringworm, eczema and herpes. Leaves are also used as a purgative.
Young pods contain rhein, emodin and aloe-emodin. The antibacterial activity of the leaves is reported to be due to rhein. The roots contain anthraquinone. Emodin, aloe-emodin and anthraquinone contribute to the purgative activity of the leaves and roots. Crushed leaves or roots are rubbed on to the skin to cure ringworm and to control Tinea imbricata, a skin fungus.
