Kasamarda – Cassia occidentalis

Introduction of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis 

kasamarda7Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is a medicinal plant mainly used in respiratory problems like cough, asthma, bronchitis etc. As the word Kasa refers to cough, and marda to end or to cure in Ayurveda, Kasamarda Cassia occidentalisis hence a drug of choice for all types of cough.

  • Botanical Name of Kasamarda is Cassia occidentalis.
  • Family Name of Kasamarda is Caeselpiniaceae.

Literary Review of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis  

  • Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is mentioned in various Ayurvedc classics where its properties and uses has been described.
  • Maharshi Charaka mentioned it under Surasadi gana, also denoted as best drug for kasa (cough), Shwasa (asthma), Hikka (hiccup) etc.
  • Kaiyadeva nighantu mentions that Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is useful in diseases like kasa (cough) and  swarabheda (hoarseness of voice).
  • Bhava Prakasha nighantu mentioned Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis as Rochaka (increases taste), vrishyakara (aphrodisiac), grahi (astringent), pitta hara (pacify Pitta dosha) and Kasa hara (cures cough).
  • Raja nighantu describes Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis as best remedy for ajeerna (indigestion) and kantha shodhana (clears voice).
  • Chakradutta mentioned that Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is useful in dadru (a skin disease), kushtha (skin disease), sidhma (a skin disease).

Ayurvedic (Classical) Categorization of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis 

  • Sushruta – Surasadi gana
  • Vagbhatta – Surasadi gana

Names in different languages 

  • Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is known by different names in different languages.
  • English – Fetid Cassia, Negro Coffee, Rubbish Cassia.
  • Hindi – Chakunda, Kasonda, Kasondi, Kasunda.
  • Malyalam – Karintakara, Mattantakara, Peyaviram, Ponnaviram.
  • Telugu – Peddakasinda
  • Tamil – Nattandagarai, Peyavirai, Ponnavirai
  • Gujarati and Marathi – Kasuvayee.
  • Bengali – Kalakasunda.

Systemic Classification 

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis may be classified as below –

  • Kingdom – Plantae
  • Division – Rosopsida
  • Order – Fabales
  • Family – Fabaceae
  • Sub-Family – Caesalpiniaceae
  • Genus – Cassia
  • Species – Occidentalis

Useful Parts 

Following parts of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis are useful in Ayurvedic medicines –

  • Mula (Root)
  • Beeja (Seed)
  • Patra (Leaves)

Ayurvedic Properties

  • Rasa – Tikta, Madhura
  • Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
  • Veerya – Ushna
  • Vipaka – Katu
  • Doshaghnata – Tridosha hara

Therapeutic Uses

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis can be used externally or internally according to the proplems.

  • The paste of root of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis drug is mixed with cow’s urine or cows ghee is suggested to be used in filaria.
  • The kasamarda leaves, shobhanjana and brihati are added with honey is given for alleviation of cough where Kapha dosha is predominated.
  • The soup made up of Kasamarda leaves, shigru, bringaraja and dried radish (moolaka) is taken to alleviate hiccough & asthma.
  • Roots of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis are pounded with sour gruel and the same is applied as paste. It is useful for eradicating ring worm, kitibha and other skin disease.
  • The seeds of  Kasamarda and radish mixed with Gandhaka is an excellent remedy for sidhma kushtha (a skin disease).
  • The paste of kasamarda root pounded with jambira swarasa (lime juice) is an effective medicine for all types of vicharchika (a skin disease).
  • In Shlipada (filaria), root paste of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is mixed with ghee and taken internally.
  • In Vicharcika (a skin disease), root paste of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is mixed with lime juice and applied externally.

Karma (Actions)

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is found to perform following actions –

  • Kasaghna (relieves cough)
  • Kaphaghna (pacifies Kapha dosha)
  • Mutrala (diuretic)
  • Kushthaghna (beneficial in skin diseases)
  • Jwaraghna (antipyretic)
  • Vishaghna (good for poison)
  • Akshepa samana (anticonvulsant)
  • Dipana (appetizer)
  • Vatanulomana (pacifies Vata dosha)
  • Pitta saraka (purgative)

Indications 

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is indicated in following diseases –

  • Kasa (cough)
  • Shwasa (asthma, bronchitis)
  • Hikka (hiccup)
  • Agnimandya (loss of appetite)
  • Udara roga (abdominal diseases)
  • Pitta vikara (Pitta dominated diseases)
  • Vibandha (constipation)
  • Apasmara (epilepsy)
  • Apatantraka (tetanus)
  • Akshepaka (convulsion)
  • Kushtha (skin diseases)
  • Visarpa (erysipelas)
  • Sleepada (filariasis)
  • Vrana (wound)
  • Dadru (a skin disease)
  • Mutra Krichha (dysuria)
  • Ikshu Meha (a urine disease)

Dosage

  • Root Decoction – 40 – 80 ml
  • Seed Powder –  3 – 6 gm
  • Leaf Juice – 10 – 20 ml

Ayurvedic Medicine

Many Ayurvedic medicines are available in market where Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis is used as an ingredient. A few are listed below –

  • Guduchyadi Ghritam
  • Kasamardadi Ghritam
  • Vasaharitaki Leha

Photographs of Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

(click on image to zoom)

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

Image Source – wikimedia.org

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

(Image source – theferns.org)

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

Image source – wikimedia.org

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

Image source – westafricanplants.senckenberg.de

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

Image source – 101herbs.com

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

Image source – jimbotany.com

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

(image source – flickr.com)

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

(Image source – theferns.org)

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

(Image source – theferns.org

Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis

(Image source – theferns.org)

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