Cassia Fistula
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article describes Cassia fistula, a tree cultivated in Egypt, Arabia, India, and the Antilles, and its medicinal use as a mild laxative.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
CASSIA FISTULA, a beautiful tree of the Caesalpinioideae family, 10 to 15 meters in height, resembling a walnut tree in appearance. It is now not found in the wild anywhere. It is cultivated in Egypt, Arabia, India, and on the Antilles. The fruits are cylindrical pods, rounded at both ends, 30-60 cm long, consisting of a woody shell of brown-black color and a series of seeds inside, of elliptical shape, separated by plates of tissue and surrounded by a viscous, sticky sweet pulp (pulpa Cassiae fistulae). It contains up to 15% sugar, mucus, essential oil, tannins, and pectin substances. The pulp is applied as a gentle laxative (dose 15-50 g) for poor digestion and constipation. It was included in Electuarium catholicum, in Electuarium lenitivum, and in the composition of laxative jelly. At present it is prescribed almost not at all. In folk medicine, pieces of fruit with pulp are known under the name 'divine honey'; they are applied in the form of a decoction for cough.
Related articles
Cite this page
“Cassia Fistula.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/cassia-fistula/