Cassia Siamea (Jue Ming Zi Xian Lou)

Botanical Name: Cassia Siamea, Senna siamea

This lovely tree is especially popular in Thailand, where there are even areas named after it. The leaves, tender pods, and seeds are edible, with each needing to be boiled first, then discarding the water to remove unwanted compounds that can upset the stomach, and then finally being ready to add to popular curry dishes. As a medicine, Cassia siamea has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for many thousands of years to treat malaria, anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep disorders.

Watch a short video, from Ann Christensen, Founder and Creator of White Rabbit Institute of Healing™ – Just What is So Special about Cassia siamea?

Below is an overview of cassia siamea, combining the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of cassia siamea.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Tender Pod, Seed, Flower, Root, Stem​

Flavors/Temps: Bitter, Cooling

Caution: Considered safe.

Key Constituents: Barakol, Alkaloids, Apigenin, Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin B1, Betulin, Polyphenols. Flavonoids, Steroids, Isoflavonoids, Triterpenes, Chromone alkaloids, Anthraquinones, Carotenoids, Tannins

History/Folklore: The heartwood of Cassia siamea is said to be a laxative. It is also used to prevent blood from pooling in organs or the genito-urinary tract. The plant has excellent tranquilizing and calming properties that help counter the effects of stress and anxiety. In Cambodia, a decoction using Cassia siamea is used to treat scabies and rhinitis. It can have some analgesic and diuretic properties. Unlike pharmaceutical counterparts, it is not addictive and has no toxicity or unwanted side effects. It is considered a first-class psychopharmaceutical. The leaves are used to treat malaria.

In Ayurvedic medicine, the fruit is used to treat intestinal worms and prevent convulsions in children.

Fresh and dried leaves can be decocted and enjoyed with lemon juice to treat malaria and liver disorders. In Uganda, the leaves are picked, cleaned, and chewed with the liquid being swallowed to treat abdominal pains. In India, the leaves are boiled and a bit of honey is added. A daily dose of 150ml, taken 3 times a day, of this mixture is used to treat anemia and fevers. In Thailand, prepared leaves are taken in capsule form as a laxative and sleep aid.

In Kenya, the macerated roots are used with other herbs to treat snake bites and diabetes. On the Ivory Coast, small repetitive doses of decocted roots are used to treat angina and malaria.

The seeds are used to treat intestinal worms and scorpion bites.

In China, a decoction of the leaves and stems is enjoyed as an aperitif and to counter arthritic swelling.

The young fruits and leaves are eaten as a vegetable and the flowers and young fruits are used in curries. Cassia siamea’s leaves, tender pods, and seeds are edible after having been boiled and the water discarded. This helps eliminate some of the leaves’ bitter taste. Sometimes called “caper leaves” because the young flower buds look like caper berries, they are a common ingredient in Thai curry dishes.

The ethanol extract made from the leaves has been found to protect against diabetes-induced insulin resistance and hepatic dysfunction in mice.

The compound betulin, found in the flowers, is known for its anti-HIV, anticarcinogenic, antiflu, antitumor, and antiviral properties.

The compound barakol is known for its antidepressant and sedative properties.

Cassia siamea is a provincial tree in Thailand. There are places in the country that are named after this lovely tree. It is often planted as a windbreak and as a fodder plant. Its hardwood is used for ornamentation on guitars and ukuleles. The wood is highly valued in Chinese furniture making. It was also popularly used to fire locomotive engines as its charcoal is of excellent quality. The wood is very hard, resists termites, is durable, and can take a high polish. All parts of this plant can be used for tanning.

The leaves can be toxic to pigs and poultry. The flowers are a good source of honey. The blooms will attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.