Botanical Name: Cassia fistula Linn.

Family: Caesalpiniaceae

Identification No.: SDACH/HG/001

Introduction: In Vedic literature the dried branches of Aragvadha are used for ritual performance Several external applications containing Aragvadha are mentioned in  Ayurveda ( psoriasis etc.)

Scientific classification: Sennas belong to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae, family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae). Alexandrian senna is classified as Cassia acutifolia. The species from which tinnivelly, or Indian senna, is obtained is classified as Cassia angustifolia

Names in different Indian languages:

Synonyms:

Chaturaangula, Kritamaala, Kritmaalaka, Karnikaara, Shampaaka, Praagraha, Raajvrksha, Nripapaadapa, Raajadruma, Vyaadhighaataka, Aarevata.

Cassia rhombifolia Roxb

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata:

Charaka: Kusthaghna, Kandüghna, Tiktaskandha, Virechana

Susrutha: Aragvadhadi, Syamadi, Slesmasamsamana, Adhobhagahara

Vagbhata: Aragvadhãdi, syãmadi

 Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants):

1.Karnikara

2.Pãlevatam

3. Madhura (sweet)

4. Amla (sour)

5. praravata-  Psidium guyava

6. Garcinia mangostan.

Cassia roxburghii – AD

Morphology:

It is moderate-sized tree, 10-12 m. in height.

Bark- greenish-grey, smooth when young then brick-red.

Leaves- paripinnate, 4-8 pairs, ovate, acute, bright green, glabrous above, silvery pubescent beneath. 10-15 cm long

Leaflets 4-8 pairs, about 2-5 cm, acuminate, ovate-lanceolate.

Flowers- in lax pendulous racemes, yellow, fragrant.

Pods- cylindrical, pendulous, indehiscent, 25-30 cm long and 2-3.0 cm diam.

Seeds- numerous, small, flat, smooth, yellowish-grey

surrounded by black pulp when ripen pulp will be sweet.

(Flowers in March-May and fruits in May).

Habitat  & Distribution:

All over India, Srilanka, Nepal

Chemical composition:

Anthraquinone glycosides, sennosides A and B, rhein

Pulp glucose 60%, glutin. pectin, dyes, calcium oxalate. minerals. gum and water.

Seeds- sugars, galactomannan

Flowers- fistulin, leucopelargonidin tetrarner, kaempfer oil

Pods- fistulic acid  Bark & Heart wood- barbl Oil, fistucacidin, etc.

 Leaves- Rhein, sennosides A & B

Properties:

Rasa :  Madhura

Guna : Madura, Guru, Snigdha

Virya : Sita

(Usna: Dhanvañtari Nighandu)

Vipãka: Madhura

 Karma : Kapha-pittahara , kushtaghna, arsoghna, vrana hara

Laxative, blood purifier, febrifugal, astringent, antibilious.

Indications:

 Kustha, Prameha, Hrdroga, Amavãta, Gandamãlã, Kãmalã, Udara, Udãvarta, Vatarakta, Sula, Jvara

Constipation, colic, chlorosis and urinary disorders,gout, skin disease, psoriasis, fever

External uses:

 It is anti-inflammatory,analgesic.

The pulp and leaf paste are used in nodular oedema & gout. rheumatoid arthritis etc.

The decoction is used for gargling in diseases of oral cavity and throat,

Leaf paste is used in skin disease and itching.

Internal uses:

Nervous system: It is analgesic by vatahara property, so useful in vata diseases.

Digestive system: It is bitter so improves taste, It is a liver stimulant and purgative by snigtha properties. It is a mild purgative drug and is useful in constipation and jaundice.

Circulatory system: It is cardioprotective, antiinflammatory, purifies blood so useful in heart disease, haemorrhagic ditorders, gout and swellings.

Respiratory system: As it is madhur, snigdha, removes kapha and soothes internal organs by mridu property, in dry cough and dyspnoea flower’s avaleha is given.

Urinary system: Diuretic by sheeta properly. It  soothes the urinary tract. Seeds are antidiabetic

Skin: Kushthaghna and refrigerant, so used in skin disease and burning.

Temperature: It is antipyretic, so used in fever and purgation. Its bitter taste works in digestion and is pittashamak. Bark of root is used in fever.

Srotogamitwa:

Dosha : Pitta. kaphaghatna ,liver stimulant

Mala: Purgative.

Parts used: 

Root bark, leaves, flowers,fruit pulp

Dosage:

Decoction of root bark 75-100 ml.

 Flower paste 6-10 g

Important Yogas or Formulations:

Aragvadhadi taila, Arngvadhadi leha, Aragvadharishta..

Therapeutic Uses:

1. Kãmalã- Aragvadha (fruit pulp) is given with the juice of sugarcane or vidari or Amalaki after fortifying with Trikatu. (A.H.)

2. Gandamãlã- Root bark of Aragvadhã is grinded with rice-water and used for Nasya and lepa (V.M.)

3. Kustha- Leaves of Aragvadhä are made into paste with Amãlaka and applied externally.

IUCN Status  – Least Concern (Not threatened)

Research Updates (Past 5 Years)

1. Antidiabetic Activity (2021): Study confirmed hypoglycemic effect of C. fistula pulp extract.

2. Antimicrobial (2022): Pod extract showed efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus.

3. Hepatoprotective (2023): Bark extract reduced liver toxicity in animal models.