Senna alata

Senna alata
Candle Bush flowers
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Subclass:	Rosidae
(unranked):	Eurosids I
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Caesalpinioideae
Tribe:	Cassieae
Subtribe:	Cassiinae
Genus:	Senna
Species:	S. alata
Binomial name
Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Synonyms
Cassia alata L. Cassia alata L. var. perennis Pamp. Cassia alata L. var. rumphiana DC. Cassia bracteata L.f. Cassia herpetica Jacq. Cassia rumphiana (DC.) Bojer Herpetica alata (L.) Raf.

Inflorescences and foilage

Candle Bush (Senna alata) is an important medicinal tree as well as an ornamental flowering plants in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It also known as a Candelabra Bush, Empress Candle Plant, Ringworm Tree or "candletree". A remarkable species of Senna, it was sometimes separated in its own genus, Herpetica

Senna alata is native to Mexico, and can be found in diverse habitats. In the tropics it grows up to an altitude of 1,200 metres. It is an invasive species in Austronesia.

The shrub stands 3-4 m tall, with leaves 50-80 cm long. The infloresence looks like a yellow candle. The fruit shaped like a straight pod is up to 25 cm long. Its seed are distributed by water or animals. The leaves close in the dark.

Medicinal Uses

Cassia alata or Senna alata is often called the Ringworm Bush because of its very effective fungicical properties, for treating ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin. The leaves are ground in a mortar to obtain a kind of "green cotton wool". This is mixed with the same amount of vegetable oil then rubbed on the affected area 2-3 times a day. A fresh preparation is made every day. Its active ingredients include the yellow chrysophanic acid.

Its laxative effect, due to its anthraquinone content, is also well proven.

Sources

• http://www.hear.org/pier/species/senna_alata.htm
• http://www.ildis.org/