A REVIEW ON AMALTAAS (CASSIA FISTULA LINN.) AS AN EKAL DRAVYA CHIKITSA IN BRIHATRAYEE

Abstract

Cassia fistula, also known as golden shower, is a plant with many medicinal uses being used for various therapeutic purposes. It is also known by name Aaragvadha, which means “disease killer”. Its leaves, fruits and flowers are known to have medicinal relevance in Ayurveda. The fruit pulp is known to have laxative properties. It has many health benefits due to its constituents of variety of biologically active compounds those have various medicinal properties in its different part. Amaltaas is a potential medicine when used in Ekal form as well as in compound formulations. Since ancient times, it has been used in different traditional system of medicines for various ailments. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the use of Amaltaas as an Ekal Dravya for treating many ailments like diabetes, hematemesis, leucoderma, pruritis, intestinal disorders, as an antipyretic, analgesic and laxative. Amaltaas is being used as a one of the best prescribed remedy for many of the common ailments in day today’s life by large number of physicians. Using Amaltaas as a single dravya with various anupaan may results in optimum health benefit. Ekal dravya concept of using single substances has been mentioned in our ancient Ayurvedic literature. Use of amaltaas as a single drug therapy has been evidenced at various instances in Brihatrayee which is being reviewed in this article. Using Amaltaas as an ekal dravya and with other medicinal substances as an anupaan is also been considered and taken for the review.