Botanical Name: Cassia fistula L.
Family: Fabaceae
Synonyms: Significant scientific synonyms include Bactyrilobium fistula (L.) Willd. and Cathartocarpus fistula (L.) Pers. In Sanskrit, it is classically known as Aragvadha, Rajavriksha (the king of trees), and Sampaka.
Vernacular Names: The tree is recognized regionally and globally as Amaltas (Hindi), Golden Shower Tree or Indian Laburnum (English), Sondal (Bengali), Sarakkondrai (Tamil), and Rela (Telugu).
Classification: In terms of habit, Amaltas is a medium-sized deciduous tree. Within the Fabaceae context, it is distinguished by its dramatic flowering habit and its long, indehiscent, woody pods that differ from the typical splitting pods of most legumes.
Habitat: Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, Amaltas is widely distributed across India, from the Himalayas to the southern peninsula. It thrives in dry deciduous forests and is highly adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers well-drained, fertile soil and open, sunny locations. It is notably drought-resistant and heat-tolerant.
Morphology: The tree typically grows to a height of 10–15 meters. It features a smooth, ash-colored bark that becomes rough and brownish with age. The leaves are large and pinnately compound with 4–8 pairs of ovate leaflets. The flowers are its most striking feature: bright yellow, fragrant, and arranged in long, drooping racemes that can reach 30–60 cm in length. The fruit consists of long, cylindrical, dark brown to black woody pods (30–60 cm long) containing many seeds embedded in a sweetish, black, pulp-like septa.
Useful Parts: The fruit pulp (Aragvadha Magga) is the most widely utilized medicinal part. Additionally, the bark, leaves, flowers, and roots are employed in specific therapeutic contexts.
Chemical Composition: The fruit pulp is rich in anthraquinone glycosides, including sennosides A and B, rhein, and aloe-emodin, which are responsible for its laxative effect. It also contains sugars, mucilage, and pectins. The bark is high in tannins, while the leaves contain various flavonoids, such as kaempferol, and proanthocyanidins.
Pharmacological Action: Amaltas is primarily valued as a mild laxative (Mridu Rechaka) and a blood purifier. It exhibits significant anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (fever-reducing), and antimicrobial actions. It is a standard treatment for chronic constipation, skin disorders (such as ringworm and eczema), and abdominal distension. The bark and roots are also used as an antioxidant and to manage cardiac issues and gout.
Formulation/Usage: Traditional applications involve the use of Aragvadha Phala Majja (fruit pulp) dissolved in water or milk as a safe laxative for children and the elderly. It is a key ingredient in Aragvadhadi Kashayam (decoction) for skin diseases and Aragvadhadi Lehyam. Topically, a paste of the leaves is applied to treat skin infections and inflammatory swellings.
Rasa: Madhura.
Guna: Guru, Mridu and Snigdha.
Virya: Sheeta.
Vipaka: Madhura.