Amaltas is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Its fruit, roots, fruit pulp and seeds are used to prepare various medicines. Amaltas is considered to be purgatives, emetics, febrifuges and thoracic congestion reliever. The herb also helps in cure of various other symptoms of leprosy, asthma, fever, ringworm and several heart diseases.
Amaltas is known as Rajvraksha, Karnaikar, Chaturungal and Aragvadha in Sanskrit. It is commonly called Purging cassia, Purging Fistula, Fistula, Laburnum and Golden shower. The botanical name of the herb is Cassia fistula, which belongs to the family Caesalpinaceae. Various health benefits of Amaltas are discussed in this article.
Health Benefits of Amaltas
The bark of the tree is rich in tannins and fruit pulp is a laxative. Amaltas is a pacifier of vata and pitta. The herb has a distinct importance in Ayurveda which are given as follows:
- Intestinal Worms — The roots of the tree are used to kill and expel intestinal worms.
- Blood Purifier — The leaves of Amaltas have an anti-inflammatory properties and thus it helps in Blood purification.
- Diuretic — The flowers of the herb have lubricating and demulcent properties. Thus, it is also used as an expectorant and diuretic.
- Constipation — Ayurvedic texts reveal its use in relieving constipation. 10 to 20 grams of fruit pulp should be soaked in water for few hours. This water should be taken at bed time to get relief from constipation.
- Skin Diseases — The herb is used in treatment of various skin diseases such as scabies, boils, ringworm, chilblains, pruitis and glandular swellings.
- Liver Disorders — Amaltas is used to treat liver disorders.
- Gastritis — The herb is used to cure various gastric problems and upward abdominal gas flow i.e., udavarta.
- Bronchitis — The herb is used to cure bronchitis and other metabolic disorders.
- Arthritis — It also cures arthritis as it is an anti-rheumatic herb.
Ayurvedic Properties of Amaltas
- Virya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cool and calm)
- Vipaka (Post Digestion) – Sweet (Madhura )
- Guna (Characteristic) — Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha), Soft in action (Mridu)
The above are some of the health benefits of Amaltas herb. Dried Amaltas fruit should be bought instead of fruit pulp to avoid adulteration. The use of Amaltas is considered to be safe. The high doses of the herb can cause abdomen gripping and temporary urine discoloration.
