Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Some caution should be exercised when eating this plant due to reports of toxicity[K ]. Young leaves - occasionally eaten[301 ]. A famine food[299 ]. The leaves are made into a refreshing drink[317 ]. The dried leaves are used to make a tea[299 , 301 ]. Young pods - occasionally eaten[317 ]. A famine food[299 ]. Young flowers - occasionally eaten[301 ]. A famine food[299 ]. The dried flowers are used to make a coffee substitute[299 , 301 , 317 ]. A fermented mixture of pounded bark and dissolved molasses is used as an alcoholic beverage[299 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The plant has a long tradition of use in local medicine, with the leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, and bark all being utilized[317 ]. Modern research has demonstrated the presence of various medically active compounds in the plant[299 ]. Saponin and the cardiac glucoside sennapicrin are reported from the roots[299 ]. The bark, flowers, and seeds contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, suspected of hepatotoxic properties. However, in experiments, leaf extracts have been shown to alleviate the effects of liver injury caused by alcohol[299 ]. Extracts of dried flowers have shown significant hypoglycaemic effect, supporting the traditional use of the plant as a treatment for diabetes[299 ]. The roots and bark are astringent and are used for gargles, as an alterative, and to cure skin diseases, eye troubles and rheumatism[299 ]. A decoction of the flowers and the seeds is recommended for diabetes[299 ]. The seeds are used to cure eye diseases, gonorrhoea and gout[299 ]. The leaves and fruits serve as an anthelmintic and diuretic[299 ]. In Tanzania the plant is used to treat impotence, which may be related to diabetes[299 ].

Agroforestry Uses: The plant is utilized for green manuring (India)[317 ]. It is used for revegetating erodible soils and has proved very effective in reclaiming sodic soils which have been dressed with gypsum[299 ]. Other Uses The bark yields tannin[317 ]. The bark of plants 3 years old or more contains 15 - 24% of tannin on a dry weight basis[299 ]. A black dye is obtained from the bark[317 ]. A fast yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[299 ]. The flower buds are used in the galling process prior to dyeing cotton cloth and chintzes red, pink or purple with madder roots (Rubia cordifolia L.)[299 ]. The boiled seeds are an important ingredient in indigo vats, where specific bacterial fermentation ensures the reduction of insoluble indigo into the soluble leuco-indigo, allowing textile fibres to be impregnated by the dye solution. The seeds serve as a source of sugars to keep the fermentation process going[299 ]. A fibre is obtained from the inner bark[317 ]. The bark fibre can be made into rope[299 , 454 ] Branches are used as chewing sticks and toothbrushes[299 ]. The wood does not reach a volume adequate for timber, but sometimes handles of small tools are made from it[299 ]. A most curious use of the plant is reported from India. It is believed that branches were formerly used in the fabrication of wootz Damascus steel. They were added to the crucible and heated with the ore to obtain the chemical composition that gave the steel its beautiful patterning[299 ]. Senna auriculata is suitable for landscaping roadways and home gardens. It tolerates drought and dry conditions, but not much cold. The flowers in racemes are also attractive. Industrial Crops: Fiber, Tannin, Dye.

Special Uses

Carbon Farming