🌿 AMALTAS (Cassia fistula Linn.)

1. Synonyms (नाम एवं पर्याय)

Sanskrit Names:
आरग्वध (Aragvadha), राजवृक्ष (Rajavriksha), शम्पाक (Shampaka), चतुरङ्गुल (Chaturangula), आरेवतः (Arevata), व्याधिघात (Vyadhighata), कृतमाल (Kritamala), सुवर्णक (Suvarnaka), कर्णिकार (Karnikara), दीर्घफल (Dirghaphala), स्वर्णाङ्ग (Swarnanga), स्वर्णभूषण (Swarnabhushana)।

Etymological Meaning:

• आरग्वध: One which destroys (वध) diseases (आरग).
• राजवृक्ष: “King of trees” due to its golden flowers.
• सुवर्णक / स्वर्णाङ्ग: Having golden-yellow blossoms like gold.
• दीर्घफल: Having long cylindrical fruits.

English Synonyms:
Indian Laburnum, Purging Cassia, Golden Shower Tree.

2. Regional Names (प्रादेशिक नाम)

Botanical Name: Cassia fistula Linn.
Family: Leguminosae / Fabaceae

3. Botanical Description (वनस्पति विवरण)

Amaltas is a moderate-sized deciduous tree common throughout India, especially in sub-Himalayan tracts, Chhota Nagpur, Central India, and up to Maharashtra.

• Height: 10–15 meters.
• Bark: Greenish-grey or brick-red, smooth.
• Leaves: Paripinnate, 5–12 cm long, with 8–16 leaflets that are ovate-lanceolate and acuminate.
• Flowers: Bright yellow, in long, hanging racemes, blooming in summer (March–May).
• Fruits: Cylindrical, pendulous, indehiscent pods (25–30 cm long), containing numerous small, flat seeds embedded in dark, sweet pulp.
• Seeds: Smooth, flat, surrounded by blackish pulp.

Flowering Season: March–May
Fruiting Season: May–December

4. Chemical Constituents (रासायनिक संघटक)

Pods:
Contain fistulic acid (1,4-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-anthraquinone-3-carboxylic acid), rhein, and anthraquinone derivatives.

Flowers:
Contain kaempferol, rhein, fistulin, leucopelargonidin tetramer, cetyl alcohol, and dianthraquinone glucoside.

Bark and Heartwood:
Contain barbaloin, fistucacidin, leucoanthocyanidin, 3,4,7,8,4’-pentahydroxyflavan, and rhein.

Leaves:
Contain senno- sides A and B (laxative anthraquinone glycosides), rhein glucoside, and procyanidins.

Stem bark:
Contains β-sitosterol, lupeol, hexacosanol, tannins.

Other compounds reported:

• Emodin, chrysophanic acid, epicatechin, phlobaphene, biflavonoids, triflavonoids, clitorin, proanthocyanidins.

5. Properties and Therapeutic Uses (गुण एवं औषधीय उपयोग)

Ayurvedic Properties (गुण धर्म):

• Rasa (Taste): Madhura (Sweet)
• Guna (Quality): Guru (Heavy)
• Virya (Potency): Shita (Cold)
• Vipaka (Post-digestive): Madhura
• Karma (Action): Sāraka (Excellent laxative), Pittahara, Vatahara, Raktashodhaka.

Therapeutic Actions (औषधीय क्रियाएं):

• Best among Virechana Dravyas (purgative herbs).
• Laxative: Soft, non-irritant; ideal for children, elderly, and weak patients.
• Antipyretic: Effective in fevers (including malaria, anthrax).
• Blood purifier: Useful in skin disorders like Kustha (leprosy), Pama, Dadru, Kandu.
• Anthelmintic and Antimicrobial: Pod and bark extracts show antiviral and antibacterial activity.
• Anti-inflammatory: Root and bark extract reduce inflammation.
• Cardio-protective: Root bark beneficial in cardiac ailments.
• Hepato-protective: Leaves used in jaundice.
• Dermatological use: Leaf juice applied in eczema, ringworm, pruritus, and eruptions.

Classical References (आयुर्वेद ग्रंथों में उल्लेख):

• Charaka Samhita: Mentioned in Virechana Varga and Kusthaghna Mahakashaya.
• Sushruta Samhita: Part of Aragvadhadi gana and Adhobhagahara gana.
• Vagbhata: Recommended for purgation and skin diseases.

Therapeutic Uses by Plant Part:

6. Dose (मात्रा)

   Pulp (from pod)    4–8 grams
   Seed powder    5–7 seeds (as emetic)

7. Summary of Actions

• Primary: Mild laxative, detoxifier, and blood purifier.
• Secondary: Antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective.
• Ideal for: Chronic constipation, fevers, skin diseases, jaundice, gout, and rheumatism.                                                                                                              Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu