Amaltas (Cassia Fistula) benefits and uses

Introduction

The Amaltas tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows 20 to 30 feet tall. The tree is native to tropical areas of Asia and naturalized in parts of the Middle East and in Africa. It produces beautiful yellow flowers that hang down in pendulous clusters.

The cassia fistula is a medium-sized tree growing to 10–20 m tall with fast growth.

The cassia fistula is a medium-sized tree growing to 10–20 m tall, with fast growth. The leaves are alternate, entire or lobed, pinnate with 3–5 leaflets. The flowers are white and fragrant, produced in dense inflorescences; each flower is about 2 cm wide. The fruit is a legume pod containing one to three seeds.[2]

The cassia fistula tree is native to southern India and Sri Lanka but has also been introduced elsewhere in Asia;[3] it has become an invasive species in some areas such as Hawaii and Florida.[4]

The leaves are deciduous, 15–60 cm long, and pinnate with three to eight pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 7–21 cm long and 4–9 cm broad.

The leaves are deciduous, 15–60 cm long, and pinnate with three to eight pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 7–21 cm long and 4–9 cm broad.

The inflorescence is a panicle of many small yellow flowers that appear in racemes. Each flower has five petals 5–10 mm long and nine stamens. Flowering occurs from July to September in the Northern Hemisphere and from November to March in the Southern Hemisphere.[]

The flowers are produced in pendulous 55 cm racemes of 100-200 together; they are yellow, and have a very sweet scent similar to that of the orange blossom.

The flowers are produced in pendulous 55 cm racemes of 100-200 together; they are yellow, and have a very sweet scent similar to that of the orange blossom.

The flowers are large and fragrant, opening only during the day. They appear before or with the new leaves in spring, often ripen as late as December when they turn orange-red. The fruit is a pod containing many small brown seeds, which resembles a tiny legume (bean).

The fruit is a legume (pod) from 30–60 cm long and 3–5 cm broad, with a pungent odor and containing several seeds.

The fruit is a legume (pod) from 30–60 cm long and 3–5 cm broad, with a pungent odor and containing several seeds. The seeds are kidney-shaped, about 1.5 cm (0.59 in) long and 0.8 cm (0.31 in) broad, with an oily brown seed coat that usually presents between one to three mottled surfaces. It has been used as ornamental plant specially in parks where its red color attracts attention but in some places it is considered as a weed due to its aggressive growth and thorny branches which make it difficult to control if its density increases significantly

Cassia fistula is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide for its brightly colored flowers which appear in spring and early summer.

Cassia fistula is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide for its brightly colored flowers which appear in spring and early summer. It is a medium-sized tree growing to 10–20 m tall with fast growth. The leaves are deciduous, 15–60 cm long, and pinnate with three to eight pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 7–21 cm long and 4–9 cm broad. Each leaf has two opposite sides: one side has hairs, while the other does not; this is often referred to as “rough” or “smooth”.

The flowers have a yellowish tinge at their base changing into orange at the tip of the flower which turns crimson red when they are fully opened up; they are bisexual (have both male and female parts) and occur in clusters at the end of branches[5]

Cassia fistula flowers are used as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaricus.Cassia fistula contains anthraquinones like chrysophanic acid, emodin glycosides and their aglycones such as chrysophanol, rhein etc.

IndianJadiBooti Cassia fistula contains anthraquinones like chrysophanic acid, emodin glycosides and their aglycones such as chrysophanol, rhein etc. Chrysophanic acid is a non-toxic phenolic compound found in the bark of Cassia fistula. This compound is also known as emodin or symplocoside (Emodiside). Emodin has been shown to possess anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. [1]

Emodin has been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.[2]

It also contains flavonoids viz; quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosidesetc. Tannins, gums and mucilages are also present.

It also contains flavonoids viz; quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosidesetc. Tannins, gums and mucilages are also present.

Cassia Fistula has a very high content of calcium in it’s leaves which helps in the formation of bones, teeth and nails. It is also a good source of iron that helps in the formation of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells thereby improving your immunity to fight against infections. This herb helps in treating anaemia as well; due to its rich iron content it boosts hemoglobin production within our body leading towards better oxygen supply throughout our system which further helps us breathe properly!

Conclusion

All parts of this tree are used for medicinal purposes, in the treatment of fevers, jaundice, skin diseases, toothache and asthma. The ripe pods are considered laxative and constipating.