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FEDEGOSA
Family: Leguminosae
Genus: Cassia
Species: occidentalis
Common names: Fedegoso, Fedegosa, Yerba hedionda, Brusca, Guanina, Martinica, Platanillo, Manjerioba, Peieriaba, Retama, Achupa poroto, Heduibda, Folha-de-pajé, Kasiah, Khiyar Shember, Pois Piante, Shih Chueh Ming, Sinamekki, Tlalhoaxin, Wang Chiang Nan, Senting, Kachang kota, Menting
Parts Used: Roots, leaves, seeds
DESCRIPTION
Properties/Actions:
Analgesic, Anti-bacterial, Anti-hepatotoxic, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Anti-spasmodic, Antiparasitic, Anti-viral, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogueue, Febrifuge, Hepatotonic, Hepatoprotective, Insecticidal, Laxative, Parasiticide, Purgative, Stomachic, Sudorific, Vermifuge
Phytochemicals:
Anthraquinones, Aloe-emodin, Anthrone, Aurantiobtusin, Chryso-obtusin, Chrysophanic-acid-9-anthrone, Chrysophanol, Chrysophanol-1-beta-gentiobioside Chrysoeriol-7-O-(2"-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D- Allopyranos IDE, Emodin, Kaempferol-3-sophoroside, Lignoceric-acid, Linolenic-acid, Mannitol, Myricylalcohol, Nor-rubrofusarin, Obtusifolin, Obtusin, Oleic-acid, Palmitic-acid, Physcion, Rhamnetin-3-O-(2"-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D- Allopyranosid e Rhein, Rubrofusarin, Rubrofusarin-6-beta-gentiobioside, Rubrofusarin-gentiobioside, Sitosterol
Traditional Remedy:
 One-half cup whole herb decoction 1-2 times daily or 1-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily. 1 to 2 grams of powdered herb in tablets or capsules daily can be substituted if desired.see Traditional Herbal Remedies Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions.
COUNTRY ETHNOBOTANY: WORLDWIDE USES
Africa
 Ache(Stomach), Bilious, Diuretic, Dropsy, Erysipelas, Fever, Jaundice, Kidney, Poultice, Purgative, Ringworms, Sore(Throat), Sudorific, Wound
Amazonia

Abdominal pain, Anti-fertility, Cholagogue, Contraceptive, Malaria
Brazil
 Anemia, Energy, Dysmenorrhia, Erysclepia, Febrifuge, Fever, Gonorrhea, Liver, Malaria, Purgative, Skin, Tonic, Tuberculosis, Urinary Disorders
Elsewhere
 Ache(Head), Anthelmintic, Bite(snake), Bite(scorpion), Cataract, Childbirth, Coffee, Constipation, Dermatosis, Diuretic, Dropsy, Dysmenorrhea, Eczema, Febrifuge, Fever, Gonorrhea, Hemorrhage, Hypertension, Liver, Malaria, Opthalmia, Parasiticide, Purgative, Rheumatism, Ringworms, Scabies, Skin, Stomachic, Tonic, Vermifuge, Yellow-Fever
Central America
 Abortifacient, Athlete's Foot, Anti-fungal, Anti-spasmodic, Ache(Head), Anti-fertility, Coffee, Constipation, Diuretic, Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Emmenagogue, Fungal Diseas(skin), Medicine, Menstrual Pain, Pain, Respiratory Infections, Ringworm, Uterine Pain, Vermifuge
China/Malaysia
 Eye, Furuncle, Herpes, Headache, Insecticide, Sore, Toothache
Ghana
 Ache(Head), Bronchitis, Cataract, Chancre, Collyrium, Fever, Gonorrhea, Guineaworms, Malaria, Ophthalmia, Rheumatism, Swelling, Syncope, Tetanus, Venereal, Vermifuge
Haiti
 Acne, Asthma, Burn, Colic, Diaphoretic, Dropsy, Erysipelas, Eye, Gonorrhea, Headache, Malaria, Purgative, Rheumatism, Skin
India
 Abcess, Bite(scorpion), Bite(snake), Diabetes, Febrifuge, Itch, Liver tonic, Purgative, Rheumatism, Scabies, Skin Diseases, Swelling, Wounds,
Mexico
Ache(Ear), Ache(Head), Ache(Stomach) Anodyne, Anthelmintic, Astringent, Chill, Coffee, Diuretic, Dropsey, Dyspepsia, Eczema, Energy, Fever, Inflammation(skin), Leprosy, Naussea, Rash, Rheumatism, Ringworms, Skin, Sore, Stomachic, Swelling, Tonic, Tumor, Ulcer , Venereal, Yellow-Fever
Panama
 Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Anthelmintic, Colic, Spasm, Stomach, Vermifuge
Samoa
 Asthma, Stomach, Typhoid
Trinidad

Abortifacient, Cold, Heart, Heart-Attack, Inflammation, Palpitation, Palpitation, Puerperium, Purgative, Womb

Upper Volta
 Cataract, Chancre, Gonorrhea, Leprosy, Venereal
Venezuela
 Asthma, Carminative, Cold, Diuretic, Emmenagogueue, Fever, Malaria, Skin
Zaire
 Abscess, Dysentery, Hematuria, Rheumatism, Stomach
The Cassia plant family has 300 - 600 species of trees, shrubs, vines and herbs with numerous species growing in the South American rainforests and tropics. Many species have been used medicinally and these tropical plants have a rich history in natural medicine. Various Cassia plants have been known since the 9th or 10th century as purgatives and laxatives including Cassia angustifolia and Cassia senna which is known as Senna. Fedegoso or Cassia occidentalis, is a small tree growing 5 to 8 meters in height which is found in many tropical areas of South America including the Amazon. Indigenous to Brazil, it is also found in warmer climates and tropical areas of South, Central and North America. It is in the same genus as Senna and is sometimes called "Coffee Senna" since its seeds, found in long seed pods, are sometimes roasted and made into a coffee-like beverage.
Fedegoso has been used for natural medicine in the rainforest and other topical areas where grows for centuries. Its roots, leaves, flowers and seeds have been employed in herbal medicine around the world. In Peru, the roots are considered a diuretic and a decoction is made for fevers.(1) The seeds are brewed into a coffee-like beverage for asthma and a flower infusion is used for bronchitis in the Peruvian Amazon.(2) In Brazil, the roots of Fedegoso are considered a tonic, febrifuge and diuretic and used for fevers, tuberculosis, anemia, liver complaints, and as a reconstitutant for general weakness and illness.(3) The leaves and roots are also used in Brazil for gonorrhea, urinary tract disorders, hydropsy, erysclepias, and dysmennorrhea.(4) The Miskito Indians of Nicaragua, use a fresh plant decoction for general pain, menstrual and uterine pain and for constipation in babies.(5) In Panama, a leaf tea is used for stomach colic, the crushed leaves are used in a poultice as an in-inflammatory, and the crushed fresh leaves are taken internally to expel intestinal worms and parasites.(6)
Fedegoso has a long history of use in India by indigenous people and tribes for fever, malaria, liver problems, scabies, and skin disorders.(7) It is found in several formulas (mostly liver) in Indian Ayurvedic Medicine.(8) In many countries around the world, the fresh and/or dried leaves of Fedegoso are crushed or brewed into a tea and applied externally for skin disorders, wounds, skin fungi, parasitic skin diseases, abscesses and as a topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory natural medicine. Although the seeds of Fedegoso are used in herbal medicine and even as a coffee substitute in some countries, several clinical studies have demonstrated the toxicity of the fresh and/or dried/roasted seeds. Ingestion of large amounts of the seeds by grazing animals has been reported to cause toxicity problems and even death in cows, horses and goats.

The most well known species of Cassia is Senna (Cassia senna or C. acutifolia) which is used as a purgative and strong laxative due to chemicals found in the plant called anthroquinones. While Fedegoso does contain a small amount of these cassia anthroquinones like Senna, it was shown in a rat-study NOT to have the same purgative and laxative effects as Senna does.(9) In clinical research, Fedegoso leaves have demonstrated in vitro anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, insecticidal, and anti-malarial properties.(10-13) In animal studies, Fedegoso leaves have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxic, hypotensive, smooth muscle relaxant, spasmogenic, weak uterine stimulant, vasoconstrictor, hemolysis inhibition, and lipid peroxide formation inhibition activities.(14 - 16) In human studies, including one double-blind study, Fedegoso has demonstrated anti-viral properties against hepatitis B, and anti-hepatotoxic properties.(17 - 18)

The clinical research on Fedegoso has once again validated a plant's long history of effective uses in herbal and natural medicine as an effective liver tonic, anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal natural remedy. Natural health practitioners are now using Fedegoso leaves for hepatitis, anemia and other liver disorders, internal and external fungi and parasites, inflammatory conditions, as a general tonic and specific liver tonic, and for various menstrual disorders and pain.

Footnotes:
  1. Soukup, J., 1970 Vocabulary of the Common Names of the Peruvian Flora and Catalog of the Genera. Editorial Salesiano, Lima 436 pp

  2. Rutter, R.A. 1990. Catalogo de Plantas Utiles de la Amazonia Peruana. Instituto Linguistico de Verano. Yarinacocha, Peru.

  3. Coimbra, Raul, 1994. Manual de Fitoterapia 2nd Ed., Editora Cejup: Belem, Brazil.

  4. Cruz, G.L. 1995. Dicionario Das Plantas Uteis Do Brasil, 5th ed., Bertrand: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  5. Dennis, P.A. 1988. Herbal Medicine among the Miskito of Eastern Nicaragua. Econ Bot 42 1: 16-28 (1988)

  6. Gupta, M.P. et.al., 1979. Ethnopharmacognositc Observations on Panamanian Medicinal Plants. Part I. Q J Crude Drug Res 17 3/4: 115-130 (1979)

  7. Nagaraju, N. Et.al., 1990. A Survey of Plant Crude Drugs of Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh, India. J Ethnopharmacol 29 2: 137-158 (1990)

  8. Bardhan, P. et.al., 1985. In Vitro Effect of an Ayurvedic Liver Remedy on Hepatic Enzymes in Carbon Tetrachloride Treated Rats. Indian J Med Res 82 4: 359-364 (1985)

  9. Elujoba, A. et.al, 1989. Chemical and Biological Analyses of Nigerian Cassia Species for Laxative Activity. J Pharm Biomed Anal 7 12: 1453-1457 (1989)

  10. Gasquet M. et.al., 1993. Evaluation in Vitro and in Vivo of a Traditional Anti-malarial, "Malarial 5". Fitoterapia 64 5: 423-. (1993)

  11. Schmeda-hirschmann, G. et.al., 1992. A Screening Method for Natural Products on Triatomine Bugs. Phytother Res 6 2: 68-73 (1992)

  12. Hussain, H., et.al., 1991. Plants in Kano Ethomedicine; Screening for Anti-microbial Activity and Alkaloids. Int J Pharmacog 29 1: 51-56 (1991)

  13. Caceres, A., et.al., 1991. Plants Used in Guatemala for the Treatment of Dermatophytic Infections. 1. Screening for Anti-mycotic Activity Of 44 Plant Extracts. J Ethnopharmacol 31 3: 263-276

  14. Saraf, S., et.al., 1994. Anti-heptatotoxic Actiity of Cassia occidentalis. Int J Pharmacog 32 2: 178-183 (1994)

  15. Sadique, J., et.al., 1987. Biochemical Modes of Action of Cassia occidentalis and Cardiospermum halicacabum in Inflammation. J Ethnopharmacol 19 2: 201-212 (1987)

  16. Feng, P., et.al., 1962. Pharmacological Screening of Some West Indian Medicinal Plants. J Pharm Pharmacol 14 : 556-561 (1962)

  17. Patney, N., et.al., 1978. A Preliminary Report on the Role of Liv-52-an Indigenous Drug, in Serum B Hepatitis (australia Antigen Positive) Cases. Probe 17 2: 132-142 (1978)

  18. Sama, S., et.al., Efficacy of an Indigenous Compound Preparation(liv-52) in Acute Viral Hepatitis - a Double Blind Study. Indian J Med Res 64 : 738- (1976)

  19. Sethi, J., et.al., 1978. Clinical Management of Severe Acute Hepatic Failure With Special Reference to Liv-52 in Therapy. Probe 17 2: 155-158 (1978)
Local Names: Bada chakhunda (Oriya)
Description of the Plant: Herb or under-shrub. Flower colour yellow. Flowers in July / August. Fruits in September / October. Frequently occurs in plains, rarely occurs in uplands and in hilly areas.
Plant Parts Used: Root / Stem / Leaf.
Healthcare Properties:
1. Epilepsy: Grind the roots of Cassia occidentalis into a paste. Take 10 ml of this paste orally once daily for 2 to 3 days. Also bind a piece of root on arm. (L-4) [OR-1-2-371]

2. Leucosis: Grind the leaves of Cassia occidentalis and extract juice. Apply this juice over the leucosis area once daily until cured. (P-12) [OR-1-2-260]

3. Piles: Grind the roots of Cassia occidentalis with the seeds of Piper nigrum and extract the juice. Take 10 ml of this juice orally once daily for a week and also apply locally on piles. (B-32) [OR-2-1-1038]

4. Rheumatism: Grind the roots of Cassia occidentalis into a paste. Apply this paste on joints after washing the joints in warm water twice daily for a week. (H-6) [OR-2-2-1277]

5. Ringworm: Grind the leaves of Cassia occidentalis into a paste. Apply this paste twice daily for 3 to 4 days. (B-32) [OR-4-2-130]

6. Scorpion bite: Grind the young stem of Cassia occidentalis into a paste. Apply this paste locally on bitten area only once. (M-12, H-2) [OR-1-2-225]
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