Kasamarda
Cassia occidentalis L. (syn. Senna occidentalis)
Kasamarda (Cassia occidentalis L. (syn. Senna occidentalis)) is a plant drug, from the Fabaceae family. Referenced in WHO traditional medicine databases for tropical regions.
| Botanical name | Cassia occidentalis L. (syn. Senna occidentalis) |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Senna occidentalis (L.) Link, the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Fabaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Referenced in WHO traditional medicine databases for tropical regions. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Used in traditional medicine systems across Africa, South America, and Asia. Safety concerns have limited WHO endorsement for oral preparations. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5354381 · Wikidata Q21872216 · NCBI Taxonomy 126820 |
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 1987 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.
- 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 5Other clinical studies and reviews
- 6Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kasamarda |
| Latin/Botanical | Cassia occidentalis L. (syn. Senna occidentalis) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Anthraquinones (chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, aloe-emodin)
- Achrosin (chromone)
- Cassiollin (unique chromone)
- Chrysarobin (anthrone)
- Chrysoeriol (flavone)
- Apigenin (flavone)
- Aurantio-obtusin and related glycosides
How does it work?
- Anthraquinone-mediated fungal membrane disruption: Chrysophanol and emodin interact with ergosterol in fungal cell membranes, causing structural damage and cell death; studies have reported activity against Candida albicans
- Cassiollin chromone anti-inflammatory pathway: Unique chromone compound cassiollin modulates inflammatory signaling cascades, reducing skin inflammation and edema
- Chrysophanic acid keratolytic action: Anthraquinone chrysophanic acid has been proposed to promote gentle exfoliation of thickened, scaly skin
- Apigenin antioxidant skin protection: Flavone apigenin inhibits UV-induced oxidative damage, protects against DNA photodamage, and modulates inflammatory cytokine production in skin cells
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Skin fungal infections (Dadru/Kushtha): traditionally used for these skin conditions. A study reported antifungal activity of root extracts against Candida albicans, Rhodotorula glutinis, and Aspergillus niger.
- Inflammatory skin conditions: traditionally used for inflammatory skin conditions. Studies have reported anti-inflammatory activity of its chromone and flavone constituents.
- Wounds: traditionally applied to wounds as a leaf poultice. Studies have reported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
What do recent studies show?
- Bolatkyzy N, Shepilov D, Turmanov R and others 2025. Medicinal Plants for Skin Disorders: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Insights. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40807461 · doi:10.3390/molecules30153281
Cassia occidentalis was identified among key medicinal plants for skin disorders, with documented antibacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, antimutagenic, and hepatoprotective activities. - Yadav JP, Arya V, Yadav S and others 2010. Cassia occidentalis L.: a review on its ethnobotany, phytochemical and pharmacological profile. Fitoterapia. PMID 19796670 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2009.09.008
Comprehensive pharmacological review confirmed a wide range of biological activities including potent antifungal properties attributable to anthraquinone and chromone constituents.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Oral consumption of seeds and leaves has been associated with hepatotoxicity and myotoxicity in some reports, particularly with chronic high-dose use. Topical application for skin conditions appears safer but requires proper formulation
- Not recommended for oral use during pregnancy. Leaf preparations should be standardized for anthraquinone content to prevent adverse effects. Traditional external use for skin fungal infections has a reasonable safety record
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Swarasa (leaf juice), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (infused oil for skin)
Standard Dosage: (Caution: oral seed and leaf use has been associated with hepatotoxicity and myotoxicity; see Recent safety updates.) 3-6 g seed/leaf powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction; 10-20 mL leaf juice; 500 mg capsule twice daily
Optimal Timing: Before bedtime for laxative effect (sennoside activation takes 6-12 hours); after meals for hepatoprotective applications
Storage: Store in airtight containers at 15-30°C. Protect from light (anthraquinones are photosensitive). Moisture content must be kept below 10% to prevent microbial growth.
Marker Compounds: Chrysophanol, Emodin, Physcion, Sennoside A, Sennoside B, Cassiollin, Chryso-obtusin, Galactomannan
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2021. Role of anthraquinones in Cassia occidentalis induced hepato-myo-encephalopathyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 33011371 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113431
Other clinical studies and reviews5
- 2025. Medicinal Plants for Skin Disorders: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological InsightsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40807461 · doi:10.3390/molecules30153281
- 2021. Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy?Phytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 33164294 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6935
- 2020. Aloe-emodin: A review of its pharmacology, toxicity, and pharmacokineticsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 31680350 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6532
- 2010. Cassia occidentalis L.: a review on its ethnobotany, phytochemical and pharmacological profileFitoterapia. PMID 19796670 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2009.09.008
- 2009. Clinical & pathological features of acute toxicity due to Cassia occidentalis in vertebratesThe Indian journal of medical research. PMID 19700797
Laboratory and animal studies6
- 2024. Biosynthesis and assessment of antibacterial and antioxidant activities of silver nanoparticles utilizing Cassia occidentalis L. seedScientific reports. PMID 38538702 · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-57823-3
- 2023. Phytochemical Investigation, In silico/In vivo Analgesic, and Anti-inflammatory Assessment of the Egyptian Cassia occidentalis LSteroids. PMID 37141980 · doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109245
- 2018. Interaction of anthraquinones of Cassia occidentalis seeds with DNA and GlutathioneToxicology reports. PMID 29326881 · doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2017.12.024
- 2011. Acute and subacute toxicity of Cassia occidentalis L. stem and leaf in Wistar ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 21571057 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.070
- 2010. Antidiabetic activity of Cassia occidentalis (Linn) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic ratsIndian journal of pharmacology. PMID 20927247 · doi:10.4103/0253-7613.68422
- 1987. Biochemical modes of action of Cassia occidentalis and Cardiospermum halicacabum in inflammationJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 3613609 · doi:10.1016/0378-8741(87)90042-0
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.