Compilation of herbal plants (description, geographical distribution, taxonomy, line drawings), biodiversity and herbarium.
Description of herbal and T&CM research, searchable publication and process from medicinal plant discovery to clinical trial in producing a high-quality registered herbal drug.
Definition and description of therapies, policy, training and education, research in the practise of (T&CM) and integrated medicine system.
Do you know how to prepare carica papaya leaves juice for dengue fever?
Senna occidentalis (L.) Link.
Cassia caroliniana Walter, Cassia ciliata Raf., Cassia falcata L., Cassia foetida Pers., Cassia macradenia Collad., Cassia obliquifolia Schrank, Cassia occidentalis L., Cassia occidentalis (L.) Rose, Cassia planisiliqua L., Ditramexa occidentalis Britton & Rose, Ditremexa occidentalis (L.) Britton & Wilson, Cassia laevigata sensu auct. (misapplied) [8]
Leguminosae
Malaysia | Kachang kota, ketepeng hutan [4] |
English | Coffee senna, negro coffee [4], antbrush [5], stinking weed, styptic weed, wild coffee [6] |
China | Jue ming zi [4] |
India | Kasamarda (Sanskrit); gajarság, kasondi [4], kassauimdhi, barrikassaumdhi (Hindi); doddaagace (Kannada); panniviram, ponnaniviram (Malayam); ponnavirai, peravirai, nattam takarai (Tamil); kasinda (Telagu)[5] |
Indonesia | Menting (Javanese); kopi andelan (Sumatra) [4] |
Thailand | Chum het tet [4] |
Korea | Soggjolmjong [4] |
Japan | Habuso [4] |
Argentina | Cafelilo, cafetón [4] |
Brazil | Fedegoso, mata pasta, paramarioba [4] |
Mexico | Vainillo [4] |
France | Herbe puante, café des noirs [4]. |
Senna occidentalis is a member of the Leguminosae family. It is an annual herb of about 1 m high. The leaves are pinnately compound with leaflets oppositely placed and even in number. The flowers are yellow. The fruits are about 10-12 cm long and about 0.7 cm wide. The seeds are dark olive green [6].
The plant is a common waste ground weed originating from the West Indies but is now pantropical [6].
Essentially S. occidentalis is used in traditional medicine to treat many conditions. It is considered bitter, sweet and acrid with purgative, laxative, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, hepatoprotective, antimalarial, vermifuge and febrifuge properties [7].
The seeds are believed to contain two forms of toxins which are on heat stable and on heat labile. Earlier records indicated the presence of a toxalbumin and chrysarobin which can cause kidney and liver damage, however the toxicity can be removed by heat. More works identified a volatile toxic alkaloid or oxymethylanthraquinone in the fruit, leaf and root. Another study identified dianthrone, anthraquinone-derived compound being responsible for the characteristic mitochondrial myopathy. Dianthrone causes disruption of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation leading to death of the organelle, resulting in tissue necrosis in skeletal and cardiac muscles [1] [2] [3] [6].
S. occidentalis is not used in landscaping and thus, does not pose danger to humans. It is of importance to the livestock industry where there exist dangers of these animals consuming it and resulting in poisoning. It is best to avoid animals grazing in waste areas where this may be found growing [1] [2] [6].
The symptoms recorded here are those of livestock being fed with feed contaminated with seeds of C. occidentalis. Ingestion of large amounts of the plant causes incoordination, recumbency, reluctance to move, anorexia, muscle weakness, ataxia, diarrhoea, muscle tremors, stubbing, body weight loss and death [6].
Autopsy showed skeletal muscle degeneration, degenerative myopathy of myocardial muscle, congestion and pulmonary oedema, hepatic cell hypertrophy and necrosis [1].
The treatment of poisoning is mainly supportive. In cases with severe gastrointestinal symptoms would require intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy and antiemetics [6].
Consumer data including medicinal herbs, dietary supplement monographs, health condition monographs and interactions and depletions.
Read MoreProfessional data organized into medicinal herbs, dietary supplement monographs, health condition monographs, T&CM herbs, formulas, health conditions, interactions and depletions.
Read MoreWe offer International linkages to provide extensive content pertaining to many facets of T&CM as well as Integrated Medicine. Please register for access.
Read More