Family Name: Caesalpinaceae
Botanical Name(s): Cassia Tora
Popular Name(s): Foetid Cassia, Tora, Sickle Senna, Sickle Pod, Coffee Pod, Tovara, Chakvad
Parts Used: Leaves, Seeds, Roots
Habitat: Grows in dry soil throughout tropical parts of India.
Description: Cassia is an Ayurvedic herb and is also used extensively in Chinese medicine. Cassia grows in hot, wet, tropical climates both wild and commercially. The stems are cut down when the bark is mature. The bark is removed in short lengths and then dried. Cassia bark is aromatic, again similar to Cinnamon, but differing in both strength and quality. Cassia bark is darker, thicker and coarser.
Uses: It is used as a coffee substitute and has a maturing and anodyne action. Useful in treating skin diseases like ring worm and itch and psoriasis.