Plants have been used extensively in the traditional system of medicine by humans to treat various diseases.
By Amir Hussain, H. U. Khan Muhammad Ismail Bhatti, Ghulam Abbas Narejo, Zil-E-Haleefa
Herbal medicines draw attention from the people of both the developed and developing countries because of their safety and biological activities without side effects. Leaves, root, pods and seeds of Senna italica Mill. has been used for various medicinal purposes. This plant is widely distributed in African countries, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan and from India to Sri lanka. Senna italica Mill. is a Perennial herb or small shrub and grows about 50 to 75 cm in height with herbaceous branches from woody stock. Stem is striate with pinnate leaves and the leaflets are about 4-8 pairs. Flowers are yellow in color, five petals and bisexual. Pods are thin, flat and curved with 5-8 seeds. Depending upon the size of inflorescence and the length of the petiole, it has been divided into three sub species viz italica, miracantha and aracoides.The pharmacological activities of Senna italica Mill. Are antipyretic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory and analge Leaves, pods and unmatured seeds are used as purgative, decoction and maceration are used to cure stomach complaints, fever, jaundice, venereal diseases and biliousness. This plant is also used as abortifacient and against intestinal worms. Leaves fresh or dried or pulverized used to dress skin problems, burns and ulcers. Flowers are made into tea and used as purgative and to induce lab our. Maceration of root is used to cure colic and influenza and boiled roots are used to dress wounds. Root infusion is used as eye drops for sore eyes and for the treatment of indigestion, liver complaints, gall bladder, and nausea, vomiting and dysmenorrheal. Young seeds are eaten as snacks or as vegetable. Senna italica is famously known as ‘neutral henna’ which gives yellow glossy hair. In traditional system of medicine all parts of the plants.