Edible portion: Leaves, Flowers, Pod pulp, Fruit, Spice. The bark is an ingredient in betel paste, the slightly narcotic masticatory that is popular in some areas of Asia[ 299 ]. The flowers are edible[ 301 , 303 ] and can be fried. Leaves[ 301 ]. Mildly laxative[ 301 ]. The young leaves and flower buds are cooked as a vegetable. Fruit pulp[ 301 ]. A sweet taste with a mucilaginous texture[ 459 ]. Mildly laxative[ 301 , 348 ]. The pulverised seeds are used as a laxative[ 348 ]. The fruit pulp contains derived anthracenes[ 348 ]. The pulp is used as an ingredient in spiced Indian tobacco.

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 ripe pods and seeds are widely used in both traditional and conventional medicine as a laxative. The root-bark, leaves and flowers also have laxative properties, but to a lesser extent[ 299 ]. In modern medicine, the fruit pulp is sometimes used as a mild laxative in paediatrics[ 299 ]. The fruit pulp and leaves are rich in anthraquinone derivatives (around 2%), and glycosides, which are responsible for the laxative properties[ 299 ]. The fruit pulp is rich in pectins and mucilage[ 299 ]. In-vitro and in-vivo tests have shown that the seed powder has amoebicidal and cysticidal properties against Entamoeba histolytica and that it could cure intestinal amoebiasis of humans. The aqueous fraction of the pods has produced a significant decrease in glycaemia[ 299 ]. Aqueous and methanolic bark extracts have shown significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities[ 299 ]. An alcohol extract of the leaves has shown antibacterial activity in vivo against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, plus accelerated wound healing[ 299 ]. A water extract of the leaves has shown antifungal activity against the human skin pathogens Trichophyton spp., Epidermatophyton floccosum and Microsporum ferruginum[ 299 ]. The pods are used as a remedy for malaria, blood poisoning, anthrax, diabetes and dysentery[ 299 ]. The pods contain a sweet, sticky pulp[ 307 ]. A decoction of this is taken as a cure for kidney stones, as a vermifuge and as a laxative[ 299 ]. The pulp is extracted from the pods by bruising them and then boiling them in water, after which the decoction is evaporated. It may be obtained from fresh pods by opening them at the sutures and removing the pulp with a spatula[ 459 ]. The pulp is apt to become sour if long exposed to the air, or mouldy if kept in a damp place[459. The bark or leaves are widely applied to skin problems[299. Broken bones and tropical ulcers are bandaged with bark scrapings and leaf sap[ 299 ]. The heartwood is traditionally applied as an anthelmintic[ 299 ]. A decoction of the roots is applied to purify wounds and ulcers[ 299 ]. In India the roots are used to treat fevers[ 299 ]. The concentration of sennoside in the leaves of Cassia fistula is highest soon after the onset of the rainy season, when new leaves have appeared and flowering started[ 299 ]. The sennoside content of the pods is highest at the mid-stage of fruit maturation, when the pods are pale brown[ 299 ].

Other uses rating: Low (2/5). Flowering tree, Avenue or street tree, Specimen, Public open space, Civic centre. Agroforestry Uses: Suitable for use as a pioneer, the tree can be planted for the restoration of degraded lands and restoration of woodland. Since it is not palatable to domestic animals, it may be suitable for the reforestation of areas which have become overgrazed[ 404 ]. Other Uses The bark is used for tanning and dyeing[ 299 , 320 ]. The seeds of Cassia fistula are a potential commercial source of seed gum, a potential binder for the pharmaceutical industry[ 299 ]. The water soluble gum isolated from the seeds has been evaluated for its binding properties for formulations of tablets. The gum showed overall superiority in viscosity and binding properties as compared to other binders[ 299 ]. The heartwood is yellow; it is distinctly demarcated from the white sapwood[ 404 ]. The wood is reddish[ 303 ]. The grain is straight to slightly interlocked; the texture moderately coarse; the wood is hard, heavy, strong and durable[ 303 , 404 ]. It provides a hard multipurpose timber that can be used for buildings, carts, fence posts, agricultural implements etc[ 299 , 320 , 598 ]. The wood is used to make a good quality charcoal[ 320 , 404 ]. Cassia fistula is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.

Special Uses