Cassia javanica (Java Cassia / Pink Shower Tree)

🌍 Origin and Distribution

• Scientific Name: Cassia javanica
• Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
• Common Names: Java cassia, Pink shower tree, Apple blossom tree
• Hindi Name: Kanchan, Jangal Jalebi (कंचन, जंगल जलेबी)
• Native to: Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines)
• Also grown: In tropical regions worldwide for ornamental and medicinal use

🌳 Botanical Description

• Type: Medium to large flowering tree
• Height: Can grow up to 10–15 meters tall
• Leaves: Compound leaves with many leaflets
• Flowers: Showy clusters of pink to reddish flowers that bloom in spring and early summer
• Fruits: Long cylindrical pods with seeds inside

🧪 Medicinal Components

• Leaves: Contain compounds with antiviral properties, helpful against herpes simplex virus
• Bark: Used in traditional medicine, especially in Ayurvedic and folk remedies for managing diabetes
• Whole Plant Extracts: Used for gastrointestinal problems

🩺 Health Benefits and Traditional Uses

1. Constipation Relief: The plant is often used as a natural laxative
2. Colic and Stomach Ailments: Helps in easing abdominal discomfort
3. Chlorosis: Traditionally used to manage this condition (a form of anemia)
4. Urinary Disorders: May help cleanse the urinary system
5. Diabetes Management: The bark is part of herbal formulas used to support blood sugar control
6. Antiviral Effects: Leaf extracts show potential against the herpes virus

🌿 Other Uses

• Ornamental Tree: Grown for its beautiful flowering display
• Shade Tree: Commonly planted along roadsides and parks

⚠️ Caution

• Always use under guidance from a qualified herbalist or medical professional
• Effectiveness may vary; not a substitute for prescribed medication in serious conditions