West African Laburnum

Cassia sieberiana

Physical Characteristics

Cassia sieberiana is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Stem Edible Uses: Edible portion: Leaves, Stems. The sweet extract from the stems is eaten. Chew sticks can also be made from the root-wood part of the plant.

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antidiarrhoeal Antihaemorrhoidal Antiinflammatory Antiviral Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge Laxative Leprosy Malaria Odontalgic Parasiticide Poultice Purgative Skin The leaves, roots and pods are widely used in traditional medicine[ 299 ]. There has been some research into the medically active substances in the plant and several compounds have been identified including calcium oxalate, flavones), an anthraquinone and tannins[ 299 ]. The purgative action of the plant can be ascribed to the anthraquinones. The flavones cause diuresis and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. An assay for antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 showed that extracts had a significant activity against this virus[ 299 ]. Leaf extracts were found to be active against Staphylococcus lutea, Mycobacterium phlei, Bacillus subtilis and Proteus sp., but not against Staphylococcus albus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli[ 299 ]. The entire plant is purgative and diuretic. An infusion is given against all children?s diseases[ 299 ]. Powder of different plant parts is applied to teeth to cure toothache; when mixed with butter it is used to treat skin diseases[ 299 ]. An infusion of the leaves sweetened with honey is taken against stomach-ache, ulcers and diarrhoea[ 299 ]. A steam bath of leafy twigs boiled in water is prescribed to help against malaria attacks and fever; the liquid should also be drunk[ 299 ]. Boiled and squeezed fresh leaves are applied as poultice in pleurisy or burns[ 299 ]. Gonorrhoea in women is treated by taking leaf powder with food[ 299 ]. The twigs are used to treat sleeping sickness[ 299 ]. The roots, boiled in water, are used to treat haemorrhoids, bilharzia, leprosy, dropsy and bloody dysentery[ 299 ]. In large doses it is used to treat intestinal worms including tapeworms, although this is risky[ 299 ]. A pinch of powdered dried decorticated roots, taken at the end of each meal, is said to prevent malaria[ 299 ]. After soaking the roots in water, the liquid is used for a bath against tiredness and for body massage[ 299 ]. Crushed roots are rubbed on the temples to treat headache[ 299 ]. An infusion of the root bark is employed against venereal diseases, sterility and dysmenorrhoea[ 299 ]. Capsules made from the root bark are prescribed against Aids[ 299 ]. The yellow pulp around the seeds and an infusion of the pods is taken as a laxative[ 299 ].

Known Hazards

The roots and seeds are used as fish poison in Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria[ 299 ].