Amaltas Tree: Ultimate Constipation Cure: Uses, Benefits, & Side-Effects

The next time you’re walking on the street and see this absolutely gorgeous flower, don’t brush it aside. What you’ve got at the soles of your feet is nature’s best gift for treating chronic issues that plague us every day – from constipation and cough to ulcer and hair issues. Today, we’ll be talking about the amazing Amaltas tree. Literally translated, Amaltas means “killer of diseases.”

Like every other Ayurvedic plant, Amaltas (Hindi name) is also known by famous names such as Puddin Pipe Tree (English name), Cassia Fistula Root (Botanical name), or Aragvadha (Sanskrit name). This golden-hued, medium-sized tree blooms abundantly during the months of March-May. It belongs to the Fabaceae family of plants.

Amaltas Tree’s Multi-Purpose Uses: An Overview

The Aragvadha plant typically grows in and around South East Asia and the Indian subcontinents. For medicinal as well as healing properties, the pulp of this plant’s fruit is used. Plus, its leaves are used as an integral component in making ointments and poultices; whereas its bark comes with effective astringent properties.  The wood, on the other hand, is extremely durable to use and its flowers are often offered to Lord Vishnu and are considered sacred in Indian culture.

In terms of the medicinal properties, Amaltas possesses diverse types of phytochemicals in every plant part. Plus, it is known to balance the Kapha and Pitta doshas, while regulating hormonal imbalances in the body. Additionally, it offers the following therapeutic benefits:

• Treats heartburn
• Treats asthma and respiratory disorders as it contains bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic and expectorant properties
• Reduces fever
• Treats bloating, loss of appetite, belching, and abdominal colic pain
• Treats leprosy and paralysis
• Removes constipation
• Aids in the treatment of skin issues such as eczema, candidiasis, wounds, etc.
• Treats liver and gall bladder infections
• Treats blood disorders, gout, and anaemia

Recommended Dosage:

• Fruit pulp: 5-10 gm
• Root bark extract: 50-100 ml
• Flowers: 5-10 gm
• Amaltas paste: 1-2 teaspoons a day, once a day
• Amaltas capsule: 1-2 capsules, 2 times a day
• Amaltas powder: 1/4-1/2 teaspoon, 2 times a day

Did You Know?

There’s a street dedicated to this plant in Mumbai that goes by the name of Laburnum Road. 

Amaltas’ All-Powerful Benefits 

Amaltas leaf’s paste (mixed with water) can aid in improving paralysis if massaged regularly on the affected body part.” – Nityanandam Shree

Aragvadha’s health benefits are as simple as they are effective. Let’s look at simple home remedies you can try to treat a host of health issues such as:

Constipation

Amaltas for constipation is the best natural remedy as it works as a potent laxative. Acharya Nityanandam Shree suggests this simple remedy: Take around 3-4 teaspoons (15-20 gm) of the Amaltas pulp (Gudda extracted from its stem bark) and mix it in hot milk. Mix it for some time till you notice that all the pulp effortlessly blends into the milk and only the skin (chilka) remains. Strain the skin of the plant out and drink this mixture, twice a day for best results.

Piles

In order to treat piles, boil 10 gms each of Amaltas fruit pulp, harad, and black raisin (munakka). It is recommended that you consume this decoction at night for a few days.

Hydrocele (Swelling in the scrotum)

The home remedy for hydrocele is to take 20 gm Amaltas pulp and boil it in 100 gm water. Keep boiling till the water gets reduced to around 25 gm. Take out the skin and mix 1/2 teaspoon cow ghee in the water mixture. Consume this twice a day for desired results.

Poor Digestion

To clear your stomach and boost digestion, take 5-7 Amaltas’ leaves and wash it. Then, add salt and red chilli to it. Consume this as a paan (betel leaf) and see all your digestion issues evaporate into thin air!

Weight Loss 

Instead of popping pills or trying crash diets, you should try Amaltas for weight loss. Acting as a metabolism-booster and blood purifier, it aids in weight loss. Soak the amaltas pulp and fennel seeds in water overnight. Strain the mixture and consume it on an empty stomach.

Amaltas For Children / Babies

If you’re thinking about Amaltas’ benefits for babies, keep reading. Often times, small children and infants suffer from poor digestion/constipation and cannot be administered strong medicine. In such cases, you can simply take the Amaltas stem bark’s pulp and prepare a paste out of it by mixing it with some water. Massage their stomach and navel with this paste for about 5 minutes and see the difference in digestion. For older children, you can also warm the fruit pulp a little before massaging their body with it.

Cough And Cold / Excessive Heat In The Liver

Amaltas for cough is a God-send. Plus this plant also helps to reduce excessive heat in the liver. All you have to do is take 15-20 gm of the Amaltas pulp (Gudda) and mix it in water. Keep this overnight and strain the skin (chilka) the next morning. Consume this mixture in the morning and get rid of cough, cold, mucous, ulcer etc.

Skin Breakouts

Amaltas for skin is one of the most effective ingredients to use for attaining glowing skin. In fact, its root is used for treating a variety of skin issues due to its pitta pacifying properties.

The Suggested Remedy: Take little Amaltas fruit pulp and tamarind pulp, and mix both in water. Ideally, it is best to leave it overnight. The following morning, strain this mixture and drink the water. Your skin will get rid of any impurities from the inside out and will start glowing! Additionally, if you’re someone who experiences pimples/acne on the nose every-now-and-then, just take 4-5 Amaltas leaves and grind to a paste with some water. Apply on the affected area and see your pimple disappear!

Hair Growth / Treating Baldness

Amaltas for hair growth is a relatively unknown remedy. Try this simple home remedy for treating baldness: Start by burning some amaltas leaves. Then, take the ashes and mix it with little goat’s milk/extra virgin coconut oil. Apply this paste to the scalp, eyebrows, or even your beard for promoting hair growth.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

To treat pain related to arthritis and bodily inflammation, prepare a decoction of Amaltas fruit pulp by mixing 2 gms each of saunth (ginger powder), harad, and giloy, and consume.

Ulcer/Ulcerative Colitis

If you’re trying to find a home remedy comprising of Amaltas for ulcer, try this: Take 15-20 gm of the Amaltas pulp and mix it in water. Let it sit in the water for some time and mix it thoroughly. Again, take out the skin (chilka) that comes out and drink this water mixture to treat your ulcer. Conversely, you can take 1-2 gm dhania, 15-20 gm Amaltas pulp, and mix these two ingredients in 400 gm water. Keep this mixture overnight in an earthen pot. Next morning, strain the mixture and consume on an empty stomach.

Recipe for Home-Made Gulkand Using Amaltas 

You can enjoy fresh Gulkand at home by simply following the recipe outlined below:

Step 1: Take a couple of fresh Amaltas flowers and break it into smaller pieces. Note that you don’t need to wash the flowers.

Step 2: Then add mishri powder or pure and organic sugar powder to it.

Step 3: Store this mixture in a glass container and let it sit for some time.

Step 4: Your gulkand is ready!

You can consume 2 teaspoons of gulkand every night for a year and enjoy a host of health benefits.  

DIY Amaltas Perfume!

If you want to make the best use of this plant, treat yourself to a heady and fragrant home-made perfume:

Ingredients:

• Freshly picked Amaltas flowers (2 cups)
• Distilled water (2 cups)
• Perfume bottle

Steps to follow:
1. Wash the flowers and add them to a pan along with the distilled water.

2. Heat the mixture on low temperature, without cooking the flowers too much.

3. Let it simmer for around two hours, checking every now-and-then to ensure that the water doesn’t evaporate.
4. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
5. Strain the mixture using a muslin cloth and get rid of the solid parts.
6. Pour the remaining liquid into a perfume bottle and smell heavenly!

Did You Know?

The Amaltas flower is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala.

Amaltas’ Side-Effects & Precautionary Measures

Consuming Amaltas in excess can lead to:

• Diarrhoea and excessive discomfort.
• Purgation
• Cold and cough as it is cooling in nature.

Important: Pregnant women should avoid consuming it. Please speak to your doctor to understand the right dosage and treatment using Amaltas basis your health history and current health concerns.

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