Stinking Cassia, Sickle senna

Senna tora

Physical Characteristics

Senna tora is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea to the Phillipines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Coffee Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable[272]. Roasted seeds are a coffee substitute[272].

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Anticholesterolemic Antispasmodic Carminative Febrifuge Hepatic Leprosy Ophthalmic Parasiticide Purgative The leaves and the seeds are anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, carminative, emollient, hepatic, ophthalmic and purgative[51, 147, 176, 272, 279]. The powdered leaves are used in the treatment of indigestion and stomach pain[272].The leaves are used externally in the treatment of skin diseases[146, 272]. The seed contains anthraquinones and naphthopyrones[279]. It is anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal and hepatic[272, 279]. The seed is used in Korea to treat constipation, oedema, glaucoma, nyctalopia and to protect the liver[279]. A paste made from the seed is used externally in Nepal to treat leucoderma, leprosy and itchy skin[272]. A paste made from the roots, mixed with lemon juice (Citrus limon) is applied as a poultice to treat ringworm[272]. A decoction of the fruit is used in the treatment of fevers[272].

Known Hazards

None known