Cassia bracteata

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Cassia
Species: alata
Synonym: Senna alata, Herpetica alata, Cassia bracteata, Cassia herpetica


TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES


The
Tikuna Indians of the Amazon prepare a decocotion of the flowers as a
purgative and one cup is taken each morning. In Cuba, the plant is named
guacamaya francesa and it is
used for herpes ulcers and other skin conditions, as a diuretic and as a
laxative. In Peruvian herbal medicine systems the plant is called
retama and the flowers are prepared in an infusion to treat urinary
infections and used to increase urination; the leaves and stems are
prepared in a decoction for acaries, herpes ulcers, ringworm, and other
skin conditions; and, the root, leaves, wood and flowers are decocted
for a remedy against intestinal
parasites and hepatitis. Interestingly, the flowers are used as a
diuretic (to increase urination), while the leaves are believe to be
anti-diuretic. In Brazil, the plant is called guajava or mata-pasto. An
infusion of the bark and roots is used for hydropsy, skin erruptions and
fever. The leaves are considered an ememmagogue and diuretic and are
prepared in extracts or capsules
for liver problems, anemia, dyspepsia, menstrual problems, and high
fevers. The leaves are juiced and mixed with lemon juice and applied to
the skin for dematitis and taken internally for syphilis.


PLANT CHEMICALS


Guajava,
like most Cassia and Senna plants, contain a group of chemicals called
anthraquinones. These chemicals are well known for their laxative
effect. Guajava leaves also contain a chemical called adenine which has
been documented as an effective platelet aggregating inhibitor (reduces
sticky blood and arterial plaque).


Other
chemicals in guajava include
chrysoeriol-7-O-(2"-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D-allopyranoside,
kaempferol, kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside, naringenin, quercetin, and
rhamnetin-3-O-(2"-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D-allopyranoside.






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