AMALTAS

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Amaltas is Cassia fistula which belongs to the Caesalpinioideae family. It is also called a golden tree which is used as an ornamental plant in the tropical and subtropical regions. It is used to treat constipation and skin diseases.          

English – Indian Ladurnam

Tamil – Kondrai

Hindi – Amaltas

Sanskrit – Aragavadham

Telugu – Rela

Kannada – Phalus

Malayalam – Kanikonna

Marathi – Bahva

Gujarati – Garmalo

Bengali – Sondal

Punjabi – Girdanali

Farsi - Khiyar

Amlatas are found in the Indian subcontinent and south-east Asia. It is also found in Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. In India, it is widely found in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

It is a medium-sized plant that grows at a height of 10-20 meters. The leaves are deciduous, long, and pinnate and the leaflets are 7-21 cm long and 5-9 cm broad. The flowers are with five petals and the fruit has a pungent smell. Usually, flowering starts from April to June and the fruits start to ripe from December to March.

Part used: Leaves, Flowers, Fruit rind, Root Bark

Taste: Sweet

Potency:  Cold

On chemical compound analysis of Amaltas, it includes

Leaves: Tannins, rhein, glucoside and sennosides

Stem bark: Fistucacidin, tannins, rhein, and barbaloin

Pulp: Carbohydrates, proteins, leucin, tryptophan, and glutamic acid

Seeds: Vermolic, sterculic, and galactomannan

Action:

• Laxative
• Vermifuge
• Anti-vadha
• Purgative,
• immunomodulator,
• Wound healing,
• Antifertility,
• And antiparasitic
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-ulcer
• Antimicrobial
• Antipyretic
• Anti-leishmaniasis

• The roots, bark, fruit, flower, and leaves are used to treat ringworm, scabies, and skin disorders
• The leaves are used as a poultice and applied on inflamed joints
• The liquid obtained from the leaves is mixed with vinegar to treat leprosy and skin disease
• The juice obtained from the crushed leaves is used to cure herpes facialis
• To improve the bowel movement pulp is mixed with tamarind
• The paste obtained from the pulp is applied to the navel to treat urinary disorders like pain in the urethra and blood in the urine
• To prevent the formation of gas the root is mixed with milk
• Pods are effective against malaria, blood poisoning, anthrax, diabetes, and dysentery
• The Bark and leaves used in the treatment of tropical ulcers and broken bones
• In Both traditional and conventional medicine, riped seeds and pods are used as a laxative
• In modern medicine, the pulp obtained from the fruit act as a laxative for pediatrics and it is also rich in pectins and mucilage
• The decoction prepared from this herb is used to treat kidney stones
• The heartwood of this herb is used as an anthelmintic
• In India, roots are used to treat fever
• The poultice prepared from the leaves used to treat insect bites, inflammation, rheumatism, and facial paralysis
• The root of this plant also treat heart disease and biliousness
• The extract prepared from the wounds helps to lower the blood glucose level
• The powder or decoction obtained from the bark is used in case of leprosy and heart disease
• The stem bark of this plant effective against amenorrhea, chest pain, and inflammation

The dose of the drug used according to the physician

Fruit pulp: 510gm

For purgative: 10-20gm

Root bark decoction: 50-100ml

Flower: 5-10gm

At high doses, the use of amaltas may cause diarrhea and dysentery

It is considered unsafe to use this herb while you are pregnant and breastfeeding

Constipation:

Constipation occurs due to consumption of junk food, stress, depression, excessive coffee intake, late night sleeping. It is caused due to the worsening of Vata and pitta dosha. The use of amaltas helps to treat constipation by easily expelling the waste products from the large intestine due to its purgative (Sramsana) nature.

Take the required amount of amaltas fruit pulp paste as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water before going to sleep at night. Use this remedy to treat constipation

Piles:

According to Ayurveda, Piles is called Arsh usually occurs due to the imbalance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas this leads to constipation and cause edema in the rectal veins which leads to piles. The use of amaltas helps to control the bleeding by reducing the size of the pile mass and balancing the Vata and Pitta by its laxative effect

Take the required amount of amaltas fruit pulp paste as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water before going to sleep at night. Use this remedy to get relief from constipation and hemorrhoids

Hyperacidity:

According to Ayurveda, hyperacidity occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta which impairs the digestive fire and leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body due to improper digestion and causes hyperacidity. The use of amaltas reduce the accumulated toxins and control increased acid secretion in the stomach

Take the required amount of amaltas fruit pulp paste as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and then add Mishri. Consume this before your meals with water

Diabetes mellitus:

According to Ayurveda, diabetes is known as Madhumeha. It occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosh and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the pancreatic cells and affects insulin function. The use of Amaltas control diabetes by maintaining the function of insulin normally by balancing the Vata-Kapha and improving impaired digestion by reducing the accumulation of toxins which is responsible for impaired digestion.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

According to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis is called Amavata. It mainly occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha and the accumulation of toxins that occurs due to improper digestion and this toxin is carried to different parts of the body through Vata and gets accumulated in the joints. The use of Amaltas helps to improve digestion and reduce the accumulation of toxins by its hot properties. This also balances the Vata and reduces the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Take the required amount of Amaltas fruit pulp and boil it in 2 cups of water and wait until it reduces into ½ cup. This is called amaltas decoction. Take the decoction and add the same quantity of water into it and consume this after your meals

Urinary tract infection:

According to Ayurveda, it is called Mutrakcchra (painful urination). The use of amaltas helps to reduce the burning sensation by its Mutral activity and it also helps to increase the urine flow and decrease the symptoms associated with urinary tract infection

Cough and cold:

According to Ayurveda, cough and cold occur due to the imbalance of Kapha. The use of amaltas treats cough by balancing Kapha and also by releasing the mucus which clears the respiratory passages and helps to breathe easily.

Skin allergy:

Due to its Sweet and healing effect, the use of amaltas helps to reduce skin irritation when you use them regularly

Take the required amount of leave paste and mix it with coconut oil. Apply this on an affected area to get rid of skin allergy

Abdominal pain:

Take the required amount of amaltas fruit paste and mix it with sesame oil. Apply this on your navel area to reduce the abdominal pain

Wound healing:

Due to its healing effect, the use of amaltas helps to heal the wound quickly

Take the required amount of amaltas leaves and mix it with honey. Apply this on an affected area for 4-6 hours in plain water to heal the wound quickly

There are many types in Cassia includes

• Amaltas
• Sirukondrai
• Senkondrai
• Karunkondrai
• Narikondrai

The flowers of the tree are called golden flowers and are used for making Gulkandhu, which acts as a best Laxative

Amaltas fruit pulp paste:

Take the required amount of amaltas fruit pulp paste as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water before going to sleep at night. Use this remedy to treat constipation

Amaltas kadha:

Take the required amount of Amaltas fruit pulp and boil it in 2 cups of water and wait until it reduces into ½ cup. This is called amaltas decoction. Take the decoction and add the same quantity of water into it and consume this after your meals to reduce Amavata

External use:

Amaltas leaves paste:

Take the required amount of amaltas leaves and mix it with honey. Apply this on an affected area for 4-6 hours in plain water to heal the wound quickly

• Nausea
• Vomiting

What does Amaltas taste like?

Amaltas fruit is sweet. The fruit is heavy and fills the stomach with a  cooling effect.

What are the Ayurvedic medicines with Amaltas?

There are several medicines available that contain Amaltas. It comes in powder, capsule, and tablet form. Some of them are:

• ManasamitraVatakam
• MahaManjistadiKashayam
• Kushta Rakshasa Taila
• AragwashadiKashyam’
• MaharasnadiKashayam

Is Amaltas edible?

Yes, Amaltas fruits are edible. Other parts of the plat need to go through the purification process to be deemed edible.

Where are Amaltas products available?

Amaltas products such as tablets and capsules are generally available at any of the nearest Ayurvedic care centers.

Can Amaltas be used for fever?

Yes, Amaltas can cure fever. It lowers the temperature of the body and drains it of the toxins, balancing the Pitta Dosha.