Amaltas (Cassia), a moderate sized deciduous tree is found in almost all parts of India and Myanmar. Amaltas trees bloom with yellow flowers in summer, simulating golden showers. Besides its ornamental importance it is of great medicinal value. In Ayurveda it is also called Rajavriksha, the king of trees. Its leaves, pod, pulp, root and bark are used in many ayurvedic formulations to treat various disorders.

Family: Leguminosae

Sub Family: Caesalpinioidae

Other Names: Aragvadha, Rajavriksha, Shampaka, Chaturangula, Arevata, Kritmala, Suvarnaka, Dirghaphala, Svarnabhūshana.

Hindi Name: Amulthus, Sonhali

English Name: Purging Cassia

The fruit pulp is used as a mild laxative. It is safe in children and in pregnant women. The decoction of roots is a strong purgative. The flowers are used in stomach infections. The decoction of cassia pulp with ghee and saindhav salt is helpful in the treatment of hemorrhoids (Piles).
The flowers exhibit potent anti-bacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The decoction of bark is used for gargling in case of pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

The pod pulp and leaves are used for external application in both acute and chronic inflammation. The paste of leaves or the pulp of pods is used in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Osteoarthritis, etc. to reduce the inflammation in the joints. Paste of leaves with some oil and salt is applied externally for the treatment of Urustambha (Myositis of the thigh).

The decoction of cassia bark with gomutra (cow water) when taken after adding some honey cures ascites. The treatment should be continued for atleast 3 to 4 months.

The root bark has a potent anti-oxidant property. It showed a significant radical scavenging by inhibiting lipid peroxidation thus preventing pre-mature ageing. The pod pulp has cardiotonic effect. It strengthens the heart.

Leaves are ground into paste and are applied to ringworm externally. A small amount of butter milk can be added to the paste for treating all types of allergic conditions of the skin. Bark and leaves mixed and rubbed with oil are applied to pustules, ringworm, Chilblains, insect bites and rheumatism. The paste of roots also cures the enlargement of lymph nodes.

The fruit pulp and root bark have antipyretic properties. The decoction made by fruit pulp of cassia, nagarmotha root, haritaki fruit and pippali root cures all types of chronic fever.

Pulp of cassia added with almonds and flower of arka taken twice daily with milk is a successful remedy for asthma.

Ayurveda is using the golden shower for showering health in humans. We all should apply these small home remedies in our daily life.