Therapeutic Uses of Sickle Senna (Cassia Tora)

Cassia tora or The Sickle Senna is a leguminous herb that grows to a height of between 30 cm to 90cm. It is pinnate-leafed and has yellow flowers. It belongs to the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae and the Genus Cassia. The plant grows in warm humid soil especially in the tropics. It has a number of common names which include: Sickle Pod, Tovara, Ringworm plant, Wild Senna, Coffee pod among others. Almost every part of the plant contains anthraquinone, a component used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. The leaves, seeds and roots of Cassia tora are the mainly utilized parts of the plant. The seeds are either brown or rhombohedra in color and have a combined sweet, salty and bitter taste. They can be used while raw or after they have been roasted or fried.

Cassia tora is sometimes used as a substitute for coffee hence the name Coffee pod. The coffee is very healthy and has a maturing action. It hydrates the colon and loosens the bowel. Other therapeutic uses are:

Treatment of ring worms, itching, psoriasis and other skin ailments using a paste made from ground dried roots.
Pounded leaves of Cassia tora produce an alcoholic maceration useful in externally treating dermatomycosis and eczema. The juice is used as an antidote in cases of poisoning.
Cassia powder is used in blood purification, combating indigestion and toning up heart muscles.
The leaves and seeds are useful in treatment of cardiac disorders, bronchitis, dyspepsia, cough, constipation, flatulence and leprosy.
Treatment of eye problems using Cassia powder.

How Sickle Senna or Cassia Tora is used for treating eye related problems? (Sickle Senna as a treatment of Conjunctival Congestion and Blurred Vision)

The bitter and salty Cassia tora has been acknowledged as eyesight booster. This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It improves the acuity of sight and vision. For treatment of Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the Conjunctiva, it is used together with Cape jasmine fruit (Fructusgardenia). This combination is also good for photophobia treatment since it also cures the inflammation of the eyelids’ membrane and the forepart of the eyeball mainly caused by excess fire types in the liver. A combination of the Sickle Senna and milk vetch seed is used as a remedy for blurred vision. This is made possible by relieving yin deficiency in kidneys and livers which result in blurred vision. The retinoic acid contained in Cassia is also effective in improving vision especially when used together with other curative herbs such as dodder seeds. Conjunctival congestion (blood shot eyes) caused by liver fire can be treated using the extract from cassia tora. For better results, the extract is used in combination with a specific quantity of gentian root.

Constipation Treatment using Sickle Senna Powder

Constipation is caused by dryness of the intestines. The anthroquinones contained in the leaves are used in preparation of weak decoctions for relieving constipation. A beverage made from Cassia helps to hydrate the large intestines thus enabling bowel movement. The extract works best when taken in its original form without boiling. The extract works by clearing heat and nourishing and hydrating the large intestines thus relieving constipation.