Cassia: species and general characteristics

, Cassia acutifolia).

in tropical regions; its fruits contain a blackish pulp, with a characteristic odor and sweetish taste.

Due to the presence of organic acids, pectins, high quantities of fructose and anthraquinone derivatives, it is used as a mild laxative.

For further information: Properties of Cassia fistula in herbal medicine: what are they? known as senna, a classic laxative with an irritating action. This action is linked to the presence of anthraquinones which stimulate colic contractions, favoring the evacuation of faeces.

For further information: Properties of the Senna in Herbal Medicine: what are they?

Update: New European Regulation of 18 March 2021

On April 8, 2021, the ban on marketing foods and food supplements containing hydroxyanthracenes and their derivatives, a family of molecules contained in various plants, such as aloe, cassia, rhubarb and senna, came into force.

More in detail, the new European Regulation of March 18, 2021 - which came into force, precisely, April 8, 2021 - modifies Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council to as regards the botanical species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives.

The full text can be consulted by clicking here. However, we can summarize the main points as follows:

• The following are added to the list of substances whose use in food is prohibited (Annex III part A of the aforementioned regulation):
  • Aloe-emodin and all preparations in which this substance is present;
  • Emodin and all preparations in which this substance is present;
  • Preparations based on leaves of Aloe species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives;
  • Dantrone and all preparations in which this substance is present.
• The following are added to the list of substances whose use in food is subject to Community surveillance (Annex III part C):
  • Preparations based on the root or rhizome of Rheum palmatum L., Rheum officinale Baillon and their hybrids containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives;
  • Preparations based on leaves or fruits of Cassia senna L. containing derivatives of hydroxyanthracene;
  • Preparations based on bark of Rhamnus frangula L. o Rhamnus purshiana A.D. containing derivatives of hydroxyanthracene.

. On the contrary, the different species of cassia can cause undesirable effects, interfere with the action of different drugs and be contraindicated in many situations (such as, for example, in the presence of some intestinal pathologies, in the presence of some kidney pathologies, in pregnancy, during breastfeeding and in children under 10-12 years of age, depending on the product considered).

For more information, please refer to the specific articles on the different types of cassia on this site.

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