Amaltas – A Medicinal Plant

Amaltas Known as “Golden Rain Tree” owing to its beautiful hanging yellow flowers, Amaltas has numerous health benefits. In Ayurveda, amaltas is known as “Sarvarogaprashamani” which means that cures all types of diseases and protect the body against various kind of microbial infections. It contains properties like purgative, carminative, anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory and relief from many disorders.

Synonyms of Amaltas

Indian Laburnum, Sondal, Bahva, Garmalo, Aragvadha, Chaturangula, Rajvraksha, deerghavriksha

Taxonomical classification

Latin name: Cassia fistula

Family: Fabacea

Division: Mangoliophyta

Kingdom: Plantea

Sub-kingdom: Trachiobinota

Genus: Cassia

Species: Fistula

Class: Magnoiliopsida

Subclass: Rosidae

Names in different languages:

English: Indian Laburnum, Purging Fistula, Cassia, Golden Shower

Gujrati: Garmala

Hindi: Sonhali, Amultus Kannad Kakkemara

Tamil: Shrakkonnai, Konai, Irjviruttam

Telugu: Kondrakayi, Raelachettu, Aragvadhamu, Koelapenna

Sanskrit: Nripadruma

Arabic: Khiyar Shambar

Urdu: Amaltaas, Chamkani

Rasa Panchaka of Amaltas

Rasa (taste)- Madhura (sweet)

Guna (qualities)- Guru (heavy),  snigdha

Veerya (Potency)- Sheet

Vipaka- Madhura (undergoes sweet taste after digestion)

Effect on three doshas– Pacifies Pitta and kapha dosha and aggravates vata dosha

Chemical Components  of Amaltas

Amaltas comprises an array of bioactive constituents including Glycosides, Anthraquinones, Sennosides A And B,  Fistulic Acid, Sennosides, Emodin,  Sugars, Saccharose, Mucilage, Pectin, Anthraquinones, Rhein, Rheinglucoside,  Chrysophanic Acid, Phlobaphenes, Fistuacacidin, Lupeol, and Sterols like Beta-Sitosterol And Hexacosanol etc.

Amaltas Dosage

Dosage may vary from person to person. Acc. to different formulations dosage of amaltas is

Fruit Pulp: 5-10 gm

Flower Churna/powder: 5-10 gm

Decoction: 50-100 ml

Amaltas Avaleha: 1-2 teaspoons a day, once a day

Amaltas Vati: 1-2 capsules, twice a day

Therapeutic Benefits of Amaltas

• Promotes Digestion

Amaltas possess excellent digestive qualities. Due to anti-flatulent property of the root of amaltas , formation of gas in the alimentary canal reduces , that help in  reducing bloating, flatulence, and abdominal distension.

• Boosters Immunity

Many antioxidants and ascorbic acid presents in Amaltas. Amaltas improves the immune system, fighting microbes and shielding the body against various infections. Amaltas acts as strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antifungal agent so very effective in preventing infections like fever, common cold, sore throat, and other respiratory anomalies.

• Aids In Cardiac Functioning

Amaltas helps to relax the cardiac system. Amaltas possess the chemical componuds that are beneficial for patients suffering from arrhythmias and palpitations. It helps in strengthening of the heart muscles, lower cholesterol levels in the blood and prevents lipid build-up, so help in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart blocks, heart attacks, blood clots, etc.

• Prevents Infections

Due to presence of many biochemical compounds in this herb it has been used since ancient times to protect the body against various kinds of infections. It is very effective in reducing general debility, weakness, fatigue and strengthens immunity of the body.

• Treats Wounds And Ulcers

Due to the anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties of amaltas leaves it is useful in treating ulcers like ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer, canker sores or mouth ulcers, etc.

• Protect From Intestinal Disorders

Anti-inflammatory and purgative properties of amaltas are effective to suppress the toxic bacteria H-pylori and also prevents its growth in the gut. Due to laxative nature, it helps in preventing constipation; piles .It also prevents the fluid from drying up in the colon and averts abdominal pain, abdominal distension, colic, etc.

• Remedies Pain And Inflammation

Amaltas contains anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties due to which it provides relief from pain and inflammation due to arthritis. It is also extremely effective in digestion of ama   that leads to many disorders thus effectively used in Rheumatoid arthritis that is  Amavata in ayurveda.

• In Diabetes

Amaltas has strong hypoglycaemic property which is important in decreasing blood sugar levels of the body. Amaltas activate the  β-pancreatic cells, which helps in the production of insulin .

• Skin Augmentation

Amaltas acts as antioxidant agent, so amaltas is also used in achieving spotless radiant skin. It helps in protecting the skin from damage caused by the harmful rays of UVA and UVB rays, and hence reduces the various signs of aging like wrinkles, spots, fine lines, dark circles, etc. Also helpful in many allergic conditions like acne,  pimples and prevents various other skin infections like

• Relieves Urinary Problems

Amaltas is effectively useful in various urinary disorders like urinary incontinence, painful micturition and burning sensation while micturition. Being a mild diuretic, it also treats dysuria. Due to its Anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties , amaltas significantly helpful in preventing urinary infections.

• Mange Respiratory Troubles

Amaltas has powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, and anti-asthmatic properties, due to which it is effective in all sorts of respiratory troubles.  It is effective in treating the common cold, sore throat, cough and flu symptoms. Helps in decreasing kapha , it actively thins and loosen mucus deposits within the chest and nasal cavities and hence treat breathing difficulties and helps the body to get rid of mucus. It is also beneficial for treating other respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis etc.

• Inhibits Liver Disorders

It has hepatoprotective and hepato-stimulative properties; So Amaltas is effectively used in treating various kinds of liver anomalies like jaundice, in which the liver gets mostly affected. The herb not only improves the liver functioning by secreting bile but also beneficial in maintaining normal level of  the liver enzymes . It helps in detoxification of the liver and improves liver functioning by cleansing.

• Cures Bleeding Disorders

Amaltas is extremely beneficial in treating bleeding disorders being a good antibiotic and antiseptic formulation. The fibrinolytic properties  of the amaltas helps in clot formation at the site of injury or wound and hence treats bleeding disorders and infections.