Characteristics of the Medicinal Amaltas Tree
Latin name: Cassia fistula
Indian name: Amaltas, Aragvadha (meaning "remover of disease")
Common names: Indian Laburnum tree, golden shower tree, pudding pipe tree, purging cassia, lantern tree (in Thailand)
About Amaltas or Cassia fistula Tree
Amaltas is native to India and Pakistan and the tropical countries of Southeast Asia. It is the national tree of Thailand and its flower is the national flower of Thailand.
Amaltas is a tree of religious significance in the Kerala state of India and its flower is the state flower of Kerala state. The flowers of Amaltas are used for rituals during the Vishu festival, the Kerala new year.
Amaltas Tree and Flowers
The Amaltas medium-sized tree is a show stopper when in bloom. It grows to about 30-40 feet tall. Counted among the most beautiful of the tropical ornamental trees, it drops almost all its leaves and bursts forth with grape-like bunches of bright yellow flowers.
The 12-18 inches long showy flower racemes give the tree a very elegant look as they sway majestically in the spring breeze. The colorful and fragrant flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies that frequent it for its nectar and aid in its pollination.
The tree grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It blooms best where there is a marked temperature difference in summer and winter. It blooms in late spring.
The fruits are green when immature and turn dark brown when mature. They are about 2 feet long, flat, and about an inch broad, carrying between 40-100 seeds, each. The seeds are held in a sticky brown pulp in compartments in the pods, a seed to each cell. The fruits have a pungent odor. The seeds are poisonous.
Uses of the Amaltas Tree
The wood is hard, durable, and heavy. It is used for making cabinets, inlay work, temple drums, fence posts, agricultural implements, and also in the construction of houses, bridges etc.
The pulp from the fruit pods is used to flavor tobacco. The flowers are used to decorate hair. All parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine and also in Ayurvedic medicine.
Nutrients in Amaltas
- The fruit is low in sodium.
- 100 grams of fresh fruit provides 100% of the daily Vitamin K requirement.
- 100 grams of dried fruit provides 800 mg calcium which is almost 100% of the daily need.
- It is a good source of the minerals iron and manganese. The concentration of these minerals is much higher than is present in apples, pears, oranges, peaches or apricots on a weight to weight basis.
- It is high in energy.
Always consult with a medical professional such as a licensed doctor or Ayurvedic specialist before ingesting any natural nutritional supplement for proper dosing and potential side effects.
Health Benefits of Amaltas
The various parts of the tree like the bark, root, flowers, leaves, and fruit pulp are used medicinally and have several health benefits.
The tree has the following properties and potential uses: antidiabetic, antifertility, antitumor, hepatoprotective, cholesterol-lowering, astringent, febrifugal, purgative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, tonic, and antidysenteric properties.
According to Ayurveda, Amaltas pacifies the 3 doshas of vaat, pitta, and kapha. It expels the pitta and kapha from the body.
Some additional health benefits are given below:
- Amaltas reduces fever, cold, swelling of the throat, asthma symptoms.
- It benefits in constipation where there is the drying of the fluids in the intestine due to the high pitta on the intestine. It has a gentle laxative action and can be used in children and elderly alike.
- Amaltas subsides gas, flatulence, acidity. It reduces colic pain. It eases the discomfort of piles, stops bleeding from different parts of the body and benefits in heart disease.
- It cleanses the blood and eradicates skin problems like itching, inflammation, and suppuration.
- It also alleviates symptoms and pain of arthritis, gout, nervous system diseases, eczema, ringworm, leucoderma, leprosy etc.
Some Ayurvedic Remedies With Amaltas
Consult a specialist for proper dosing and usage before attempting a remedy on your own.
- For acidity or gas, massage a slightly warmed up fruit pulp around the navel area in a circular motion in multiples of seven for about 10 minutes. doing this daily for a month cures.
- For skin eruptions due to impure blood, soak Aamaltas fruit pulp and some tamarind in a cup of water overnight. Next morning mash them well, strain out the pulp and drink the water. Do it for a month to get complete relief. It also makes the skin glow.
- For constipation, soak 10 to 20 grams of fruit pulp in a glass of water overnight. Filter the water in the morning and drink it. This is a very gentle laxative.
- For alopecia areata or baldness, apply a paste made by mixing ash of Amaltas leaves with some goat's milk. This is very effective for loss of hairs from the scalp, eyebrows, and beard.
- To treat piles, boil 10 grams each of Amaltas fruit pulp, harad, and munakka and drink this decoction at bedtime for some days.
- In rheumatoid arthritis, a decoction of the pulp is taken with 2 grams each of dry ginger, harad, and giloy powders.
- A paste of the leaves is used for treating amenorrhea while a plaster of leaves is used for treating chilblain.
- Leaf poultices are also used for facial massage in afflictions of the brain and applied externally in paralysis, rheumatism, and gout.
References
Medicinal importance of Amaltas
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
© 2013 Rajan Singh Jolly
Comments
Yash on May 14, 2019:
Please let me know the exact first time flowering age of amaltas tree
Farwa on August 13, 2018:
Is amaltas fruit is helpful in reducing weight?
Meera on June 02, 2018:
Does amaltas pulp help to cure stammering
Rishav on May 29, 2017:
What is the use of the seeds? Are they of any use in curing any ailment?
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on March 22, 2015:
neeta you can get the bark from any pansari shop in Mumbai.
neeta on March 16, 2015:
Where can I get bark of amaltas tree in mumbai i heard by soaking d bark in water overnightn drinking d same water brinngs down d sugar level for diabetics.
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on June 21, 2014:
anju you can purchase dried amaltas fruit and break the shell to extract pieces of the dried pulp.
anju_024@yahoo.com on June 17, 2014:
Rajan. Hw cn we extract pulp from dried fruit
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on July 01, 2013:
@Peggy-Amaltas is a beautiful tree to have in one's backyard. I appreciate your visit, votes and sharing.
@Rose-I'm glad you like the info. Thanks for the thumbs up.
rose-the planner from Toronto, Ontario-Canada on July 01, 2013:
Rajan, you always produce some worthwhile, informative and interesting articles. This was a great article on the Indian medicinal plant - Amaltas (Cassia fistula). Thank you for sharing. (Voted Up). -Rose
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on July 01, 2013:
Hi Rajan,
Thanks for introducing me to this most beautiful Amaltas or Cassia fistula Tree. It is stunning when it is in bloom. It was nice learning about all the different ways parts of the tree are utilized. Gave this a 5 star rating, up votes and will share and pin.
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on June 01, 2013:
Thanks and its wonderful to know you have this tree growing in your garden. I appreciate your visit and comments.
agapsikap from Philippines on May 30, 2013:
You're an angel in disquise! WOW! I didn't know its Amaltas tree until now. You see I have it here in my own yard, and it is really amazing how every summer I'm waiting for that amaltas tree to bloom cause it add so much beauty in our little garden. You gave me the answer. I didn't even know all its healthy benefits. I was just thinking before to write an article about gardening and put the picture of my amaltas up front. Really thank you for this great article and all the info, sir rajan.
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on May 28, 2013:
you are right about the seeds, Indra!
INDRA AGARWAL,AGRA on May 26, 2013:
you are right .amaltas herbs pulp is very good for constipation in kids sa well as elders .Be alert ,DON'T USE ITS SEEDS IT IS VERY POISONOUS,
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on May 24, 2013:
Thanks, Abdus!
Abdus Salam from Bangladesh on May 24, 2013:
very useful article. thanks for sharing..
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on May 24, 2013:
Yes we are forgetting our roots, Indian Chef. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Indian Chef from New Delhi India on May 24, 2013:
When I was kid this tree laden with yellow flowers was all around my village but now with rise in population and use of every possible inch of land, they do not seem anywhere. Very informative hub. Voted it up, awesome and shared.
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on May 09, 2013:
GTF, these trees are indeed beautiful in full bloom and would brighten up any place they are grown. Thank you for such inspiring comments and I much appreciate your visit.
Claudia Porter on May 09, 2013:
I would love to live in a climate where these beautiful trees grow. The yellow flowers would totally brighten up my yard. Your hubs really bring attention to the importance of taking care of the earth because there are so many medicinal benefits of plants.
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 22, 2013:
You are right, Shining. We just need to look around us. I appreciate the visit.
Shining Irish Eyes from Upstate, New York on April 22, 2013:
It is astounding the many bounties Mother Nature provides. The heath benefits abound.
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 21, 2013:
@Bill-thanks for giving this a read, votes and sharing. Much appreciated.
@Joe-thanks for your kind comments. It is my pleasure too, to read your very informative hubs. Thanks for the visit and have a great day.
@Carol-thanks and your visit is always looked forward to.
@Nithya-thanks for stopping by. Good to see you.
@Jo-are the flowers akin to the ones you see on here? I think so! Glad to see you and thanks for your comments.
Jo Alexis-Hagues from Lincolnshire, U.K on April 21, 2013:
Rajan, another beauty; I have a Laburnum in the garden, probably a distance cousin of the Indian Laburnum, it produces large long clusters of gorgeous yellow flowers, no fruit so far :). I also remember larger trees in the Caribbean with the large bean-like fruits but I did not know the pulp were edible.
Thank you for this great info.
Nithya Venkat from Dubai on April 21, 2013:
Great hub about the Amaltas tree, it seems to have great health benefits. Thanks for sharing.
carol stanley from Arizona on April 20, 2013:
The tree is beautiful and as always you provide an indepth hub about whatever you write. Enjoyed reading about this. Voting up and pinning.
Hawaiian Odysseus from Southeast Washington state on April 19, 2013:
Rajan Jolly, my good friend!
Recently, I wrote a brilliant article by billybuc about givers and takers here on HubPages. You, my friend, are definitely a giver, and the beautiful ironic result is that you receive so many blessings as a result of your generous giving. I commend you on yet another in a long line of wonderful and informative hubs. Thank you so much for your positive contributions to our literary community. Have a memorable weekend, my friend! Aloha!
Joe
Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on April 19, 2013:
Hey rajan. Never heard of the Amaltas Tree? It's beautiful in bloom with those yellow flowers. You continue to amaze me with your hubs on interesting trees, fruits, etc... Great job. Voted up, shared , etc..
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 19, 2013:
@Devika-thanks for stopping by.
@Bill-thanks, my friend. It is always a pleasure to share information.
@wetnosedogs-thanks, my friend.
wetnosedogs from Alabama on April 19, 2013:
Thank you for this wonderful education. That is a beautiful tree.
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on April 19, 2013:
It is a big world out there, Rajan. I learn so much from your hubs about fruits, nuts, vegetables, trees that I have never heard of before. Thank you for this wonderful education.
Be well my friend and enjoy your weekend.
Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on April 19, 2013:
Amaltas Or Cassia fistula, brilliantly approached and an informative hub about a unique title and most beneficial to any reader.
Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 19, 2013:
You are correct, loksmi. Thanks for reading.
loksmi on April 19, 2013:
Good one, again:)
Nature has a solution to almost everything, isn't it?
