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Cassia fistula
Cassia fistula L., Caesalpiniaceae, occurs throughout India, particularly in the deciduous tracts. While in flowering, these trees are a fascinating sight, with abundant, long, drooping inflorescences with numerous flowers and almost leafless (see photograph). The long, cylindrical fruits give the name of the species.
The root bark, leaves and the seeds are a laxative.
Root bark extract is an astringent, tonic, febrifuge and was effective in treating black water fever.
The leaves are used in skin diseases.
The fruit is cathartic and applied in rheumatism and snake bite.
The seeds are an emetic.
The bark is used in tanning.
The leaves contain anthraquinone derivatives. The root bark contains tannin and phlobaphenes and oxy-anthraquinone derivatives. The fruit pulp contains rhein, the major anathraquinone derivative, also present in the leaves, along with a volatile oil and resin. The pulp shows antibacterial activity. Sennosides A and B were found in the leaves. Sennosides are strong purgatives (see Cassia angustifolia). The stem bark contains tannins, lupeol, b -sitosterin and hexacosanol. The pods contain fistulic acid. The flowers have kaempferol and proanthocyanidin. The fruit pulp is strongly antibacterial. The root and stembark are also antifungal and antiviral. The pods and the stem bark were most effective against Newcastle disease virus and Vaccinia virus.