100 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



colic if given alone. The urine sometimes takes on a dark color 

 after taking it. The laxative dose is 4-8 grams, the purgative 

 30-60. 



Extract of Cassia. — 



Pulp and seeds of ripe pods 1 kilo. 



Water 1 liter. 



After mixing the pulp with water the liquid is strained 

 through a woolen cloth ; the material which remains in the 

 strainer is washed with a little more cold water which is added 

 to the other liquid and the two are evaporated to the consist- 

 ency of the extract. 



Dose. — 15-30 grams. 



Dr. Irving states that the root is a very energetic purgative. 

 In Concan the juice of the tender leaves is used in the treat- 

 ment of impetigo. 



Botanical Description. — A tree with trunk about as thick 

 as the human body, with leaves opposite and abruptly pinnate. 

 Leaflets, the lower ones smaller, 5 pairs, ovate, lanceolate, 

 glabrous and rather tough. Common petiole, cleft at the base, 

 lacking glandule. Flowers bright yellow, in long, pendulous 

 racemes. Calyx, 5 ovate sepals. Corolla, 5 unequal petals. 

 Stamens 10, free, 3 longer than the rest. Ovary unilocular, 

 many-ovuled. Pod cylindrical, pointed at the end, woody, 

 black, 1—2° long, with many circular seeds, surrounded by a 

 blackish pulp and separated by partitions. 



Habitat. — Common in Luzon and Panay. Blooms in 

 March. 



Cassia occidentalis, L. 



Nom. Vulg. — Tighiman, Balotagaso,Tag.; Tambalisa, Vis.; 

 Western Senna, Styptic Weed, Eng.; Negro Coffee, Indo-Eng. 

 Uses. — In Brazil they use an infusion of the root as a 

 tonic and diuretic, 4 grams of the root bark and 180 of boil- 

 ing water to be taken in one day. In Dahomey the leaves are 

 used as a febrifuge. Thirty grams of fresh leaves are boiled 



