Semen Cassiae
Source
Seed of Cassia obtusifolia L. or C. tora L., family Leguminosae.
Charactenstics
C.
obtusublia: Seed angular-square, both ends equally inclined, somewhat
horse's hoof shaped, about 5 mm long, brown-green, slightly lustrous.
C tora: Seed smaller, short-terete, the surface marked by a broad yellow
hue on both sides. Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, and attributive
to liver and large intestine channels.
Indication
1. Clear away liver-fire and improve visual acuity: For liver-heat or
wind-heat syndrome with redness, swelling and pain of the eye, photophobia
and lacrimation.
2. Suppress liver-yang: For hyperactivity of liver-yang or liver-fire
with headache, dizziness, restlessness and bad temper. Recently used for
hypertension.
3. Lower blood-fat: For hypercholesterinemia, hypertriglyceridemia and
atherosclerosis.
4.
Relax the bowels: For constipation due to accumulation of heat or dryness
of the intestine.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Oral administration of the herbal powder can inhibit the rising of
serum cholesterol and formation of atherosclerosis in rabbits.
2. Its tincture and infusion can inhibit the myocardium of toad in vitro,
and contract the blood vessels of lower limbs.
3. Its infusion can lower the blood pressure in dogs, cats, and rabbits.
4. Chrysophanol, one of the active components, is a laxative.
5. Bacteriostatic.
Administration Decoction: Generally 9-15g, crushed before decocting; 40-50 g for lowering blood-fat.