GARMALO (Cassia fistula)

Garmalo (Cassia fistula), also known as the Indian Laburnum, is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and is widely recognized for its bright yellow flowers and long, cylindrical seed pods. In Ayurveda and traditional systems of medicine, Garmalo is valued for its laxative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, especially its pulp, which is used as a gentle natural laxative.

Cassia fistula Scientific Name

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Cassia
Species: Cassia fistula

Cassia fistula Common Name

English: Golden Shower Tree, Indian Laburnum
Sanskrit: Aragvadha
Hindi: Amaltas
Gujarati: Garmalo
Tamil: Konrai
Telugu: Rela
Marathi: Bahava
Malayalam: Kanikkonna
Kannada: Kakke

Cassia fistula Uses

Digestive System - The pulp of the fruit is a mild and safe laxative, commonly used for treating constipation in children and adults.

Skin Disorders - Used externally for skin infections, boils, and inflammation due to its antibacterial and antiseptic effects.

Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic - The stem bark and leaves are used to reduce swelling and pain in rheumatism and arthritis.

Antipyretic and Antimicrobial - Decoctions of bark and leaves are used in traditional remedies for fever, worm infestations, and urinary tract infections.

Detoxifier and Blood Purifier - Referred to as “Aragvadha” in Ayurveda, meaning “disease killer,” it is used in formulations for detoxification and blood purification.

Phytochemical Constituents

Cassia fistula contains a variety of bioactive constituents responsible for its pharmacological properties:

Anthraquinones: Rhein, Emodin, Chrysophanol – responsible for laxative and antimicrobial activity
Flavonoids: Kaempferol, Luteolin – contribute to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Tannins: Found in bark, they have antibacterial and astringent properties.
Glycosides: Sennosides – act as natural purgatives
Sterols: Sitosterol – supports anti-inflammatory function
Coumarins and Resins: aid in the healing and detoxification processes

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Govt. of India, Vol. II, Part I, First Edition, Page 13–15.

Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Revised Edition, IDMA & RRL (CSIR), 2002.

Nadkarni, K.M. (1976). Indian Materia Medica, Vol. I, Bombay Popular Prakashan.

Kirtikar, K.R., & Basu, B.D. (1935). Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol. II, International Book Distributors.

Gupta, A.K., Tandon, N., & Sharma, M. (2005). Quality Standards of Indian Medicinal Plants, ICMR, Vol. 2.

Satyavathi, G.V., Gupta, A.K., & Neeraj, T. (1976). Medicinal Plants of India, ICMR, Vol. I.

Meena, A.K., Rao, M.M., & Padhi, M.M. (2010). "Review on pharmacological and phytochemical properties of Cassia fistula Linn." Journal of Natural Remedies, 10(2), 102–109.

Sharma, P.V. (1999). Dravyaguna Vijnana (Materia Medica - Vegetable Drugs), Vol. II, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy.

GARMALO (Cassia fistula)

Cassia fistula Scientific Name

Cassia fistula Common Name

Cassia fistula Uses

Phytochemical Constituents

References

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