Chakvad Powder (Cassia Obtusifolia) – The Ayurvedic Detox Herb

🌿 Chakvad (Cassia tora Linn.)

Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Sanskrit Name: चक्रमर्द (Cakramarda)
English Name: Fetid Cassia / Sickle Senna

🔹 1. Synonyms (पर्याय नाम)

• चक्रमर्द (Cakramarda): ‘चक्राणि दद्रुमण्डलानि मृद्नाति इति’ – It destroys circular skin patches like Dadru (ringworm).
• प्रपुन्नाट (Prapunnata): Reduces virility slightly (pumstva nādayati).
• दद्रुघ्न (Dadrughna): Destroys Dadru (ringworm).
• मेषलोचन (Mesalocana): Flowers resemble sheep’s eyes.
• पद्माट (Padmata): Flowers bloom at sunrise like lotus.
• एडगज (Edagaja): Emits sound or fragrance like an elephant (gaja).
• चक्री (Cakri): Grows gregariously in circular clusters.
• पुन्नाट (Punnata): Another name for Prapunnata.

🔹 2. Regional Names

🔹 3. Botanical Description

Botanical Name: Cassia tora Linn.
Synonym species: Cassia obtusifolia Linn. (also considered Chakramarda)

• Habitat: Found throughout India, abundant in tropical regions.
• Type: Gregarious annual undershrub, 30–90 cm tall.
• Leaves: Pinnate, 7.5–10 cm long, with a conical gland between the two lowest pairs of leaflets; 3 pairs of opposite, obovate-oblong leaflets.
• Flowers: Pale yellow, in pairs at leaf axils.
• Fruits: Pods 12.5–20 cm long, containing 25–50 rhombohedral seeds.
• Odour: Slightly fetid.

🔹 4. Chemical Constituents

Major phytoconstituents:

• Anthraquinones: Chrysophanic acid, Emodin, Rhein, Aloe-emodin, Toralactone
• Flavonoids: Kaempferol glucoside, Leucopelargonidin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside
• Sterols: β-Sitosterol
• Other Compounds: Myricyl alcohol, Fatty acids, Amino acids, Chrysophanic acid-9-anthrone, Rubrafusarin, Phycion, Naphtho-a-pyrone derivatives

Pharmacological Activities (from extracts):

• Antibacterial: Effective against E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus megaterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
• Antifungal: Active against Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis.
• Antiviral: Exhibits interferon-like activity against Ranikhet disease virus.
• Oxytocic & Antimicrobial: Methanolic seed extracts show uterine stimulant and antimicrobial effects.

🔹 5. Properties & Therapeutic Uses (गुण और औषधीय उपयोग)

Rasa (Taste): Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent)
Guna (Qualities): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Virya (Potency): Ushna (hot)
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Katu
Doshaghnata: Pacifies Kapha and Vata

Therapeutic Actions:

• Kusthaghna (Anti-dermatitic): Cures skin diseases like Dadru, Kandu, Kushtha.
• Krimighna (Anthelmintic): Destroys intestinal worms.
• Kaphahara: Alleviates Kapha-related disorders.
• Vranaropaka: Heals ulcers and wounds.
• Hridya: Beneficial for heart.
• Vishaghna: Useful in poisoning.
• Kandughna: Relieves itching.
• Kasahara: Relieves cough and dyspnea.
• Gulmahara: Reduces abdominal lumps and swellings.

Traditional Applications:

• For Skin Diseases:
• Paste of leaves with Karanja taila or lime juice is applied on eczema, scabies, and ringworm.
• Seeds soaked in Snuhi dugdha and cow urine used on keloids.
• Paste with buttermilk used in Sidhma (tinea versicolor).
• For Digestive Disorders: Leaves decoction used for diarrhoea in children.
• As Food: Tender leaves used as pot-herb by tribal communities (Santals).
• Other Uses: Roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute.
• Topical Relief: Leaf juice reduces burning due to Bhilawa (marking nut) contact.

🔹 6. Dose (मात्रा)

     Powder (Churna)
    1–2 grams
    With warm water or honey

⚕️ Summary

Chakvad (Cassia tora) is a potent Ayurvedic herb with strong antifungal, antibacterial, and antipruritic properties. Traditionally used to treat Dadru (ringworm), Kushtha (skin diseases), and Kandu (itching), it also serves as a mild purgative and blood purifier. Its bioactive compounds like chrysophanic acid and emodin make it effective against dermatophytes and microbial infections.

Key Benefit: Natural skin purifier and anti-fungal herb supporting healthy skin and digestion

Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu