Senna tora
Other Names : Cassia tora, Chakramarda, Stinking Cassia, Chinese senna, foetid cassia, Java bean, low senna, peanut weed, sickle senna, sicklepod, Bon medelua, Dari diga, Medeluwa, Panevar, Chakunda, Panwar, Chakunda, Chakvat, Sogata, Sakramardakam, Thounam namthibi, Takla, Tankala, Kelbe-on, chakunda, சேநாவு Senavu, Panwar, Panevar, Tarota
Constituents
The primary chemical constituents of the seed include cinnamaldehyde, gum, tannins, mannitol, coumarins and essential oils (aldehydes, eugenol and pinene). The seeds also contain sugars, resins and mucilage, among other elements.
Health benefits and Uses of Senna tora
Cassia tora has many uses. The whole plant and roots, leaves, and seeds have been widely used in traditional Indian and South Asian medicine. The plant and seeds are edible. According to Ayurveda, the leaves and seeds are useful in leprosy, ringworm, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, constipation, cough, bronchitis, cardiac disorders.
- The seeds and leaves are used to treat skin disease and its seeds can be utilized as a laxative.
- Cassia tora is made into tea. In the Republic of Korea, it is believed to rejuvenate human vision. This tea has been referred to as “coffee-tea”, because of its taste and its coffee aroma.
- Since Cassia tora has an external germicide and antiparasitic character, it has been used for treating skin diseases such as leprosy, ringworm, itching and psoriasis and also for snakebites.
- Other medicinal provisions from plant parts include balm for arthritis using leaves of Cassia tora. Cassia tora is one of the recognized plants that contain the organic compound anthraquinone and is used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. This herb is used in Ayurveda for treatment of swellings. Nutritional Information A natural gelling agent that has industrial and food benefits is made from the seed.
- Young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable while the roasted seeds are used as a substitute coffee.
- In Sri Lanka, the flowers are added to food.
- It is used as a natural pesticide in organic farms, and as a powder commonly used in the pet food industry.
- It is mixed with guar gum for use in mining and other industrial applications.
