Practical
Plants

Senna tora

Stinking Cassia

an annual member of the Senna genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Senna
Life cycle
annual
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable[7]. Roasted seeds are a coffee substitute[7].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Coffee

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves and the seeds are anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, carminative, emollient, hepatic, ophthalmic and purgative[9][5][6][7][8]. The powdered leaves are used in the treatment of indigestion and stomach pain[7].The leaves are used externally in the treatment of skin diseases[4][7]. The seed contains anthraquinones and naphthopyrones[8]. It is anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal and hepatic[7][8]. The seed is used in Korea to treat constipation, oedema, glaucoma, nyctalopia and to protect the liver[8]. A paste made from the seed is used externally in Nepal to treat leucoderma, leprosy and itchy skin[7]. A paste made from the roots, mixed with lemon juice (Citrus limon) is applied as a poultice to treat ringworm[7]. A decoction of the fruit is used in the treatment of fevers[7].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Anticholesterolemic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seeds (does this mean the pods?) are a source of tannin[4].

Product or use
Tannin

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea to the Phillipines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Habitat
Wasteland and cultivated areas in the Himalayas[9]. To elevations of 1400 metres in Nepal[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - scarify and then pre-soak the seed for 2 - 3 hours in warm water before sowing it from early spring to early summer in a warm greenhouse[3]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 12 weeks at 23°c[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse. Do not plant them out until the following spring[3]. Division as growth commences in spring[2]. Cuttings of moderately ripe wood, July in a frame[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

See also[12],[11]. C. Tora Benth. = Senna obtusifolia[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  6. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  7. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  8. PFAFimport-279

    Unresolved citation

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  12. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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