Akapulko (Cassia alata)

Properties
 • Saponin acts as a laxative and expels intestinal parasites.
 • Its fungicide property derives from chrysophanic acid.
• Plant considered alterative, abortifacient, aperient, purgative, sudorific, hydragogue, diuretic, vermifuge.

 Parts utilized Leaves, seeds, and flowers.

 Uses: The seeds used for intestinal parasitism.
– Tincture from leaves reported to be purgative.
 – Decoction of leaves and flowers for cough and as expectorant in bronchitis and asthma. Also used as astringent.
 – Crushed leaves and juice extract used for ringworm, scabies, eczema, tinea infections, itches, insect bites, herpes. In Africa, the boiled leaves are used for hypertension.
– In South American, used for skin diseases, stomach problems, fever, asthma, snake bites and venereal disease.
 – In Thailand, leaves are boiled and drunk to hasten delivery. – As laxative, boil 10-15 dried leaves in water, taken in the morning and bedtime.
– For wound treatment, leaves are boiled and simmered to one-third volume, then applied to affected areas twice daily.
– In India, plant used as cure for poisonous bites and for venereal eruptions. – In Nigeria locally used for treatment of ringworm and parasitic skin diseases.
 – In the Antilles, Reunion, and Indo-China, plant is used as hydrogogue, sudorific, and diuretic. – Decoction of roots used for tympanites.
 – Wood used as alterative.
 – Sap of leaves used as antiherpetic.
– Leaf tincture or extract used as purgative.
– Juice of leaves mixed with lime-juice for ringworm.
– Leaves taken internally to relieve constipation.
 – Strong decoction of leaves and flowers used as wash for eczema. – Infusion of leaves and flowers used for asthma and bronchitis.
 – Strong decoction of leaves used as abortifacient.
 – Seeds used as vermifuge.