Chakshushya: Cassia absus: Chaksu seeds Uses, Dose

Chakshushya – Cassia absus is the name given to the herb by the Nighantu granthas as it is applied as collyrium in eye disorders. The drug has not been mentioned in Charaka Samhita.
Botanical Name- Cassia absus Linn.
Family- Caesalpiniaceae

Table of Contents

Vernacular names

Cassia absus – Names in different languages:
English name – Jasmeejaz, Chaksu seeds
Hindi name-Chakanu
Telugu name- Chanubala Vittulu
Tamil name- Karum
Marathi name- Chinola
Unani- Chaakshu
Gujarathi name – Chimed

Sanskrit synonyms

Sanskrit Synonyms of Chaksu seeds
Kulutthika, Kulali, Vanya Kuluttha, Aranya Kulatthika
The synonyms indicate about the morphology of the plant along with its habitat i.e. it resembles the wild variety of kuluttha plant and is available in the forests.

Botanical classification, habitat

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Sub Family: Caespalpinioideae
Tribe: Cassieae
Genus: Cassia
Species: Absus

Habitat: The plant is a small herb growing up to 50 cm bearing reddish yellow flowers. It is seen throughout India from the Himalayas to temperate parts. The seeds are black in color.

Classical categorization

Dhanvantari nighantu – Chandanadi Varga
Raja Nighantu – Parpatadi Varga

Properties, part used, dose

Medicinal Properties of Cassia absus plant and seeds:
Rasa (Taste) – Tikta – bitter, Kashaya – astringent
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta – Coolant
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu – light to digest, Rooksha – Dry in nature
Vipaka- Katu – After digestion it undergoes into pungent taste
Prabhava (Special effects) – Chakshushya (good for improving the eye sight)
Effect on Tridosha- As the herb is predominant of Kashaya and Tikta rasa, it is Kapha Pitta shamaka (reduces the vitiated Kapha and Pitta)
Part used- Cassia absus seeds

Dosage– Seed powder 3-6 g (CCRAS)
The kashaya (decoction) can be taken in a dose of 15-20ml thrice a day after food, whereas the powder can be taken in a dose of 3-5g thrice a day.

Chemical constituents

Major chemical Constituents
Leaves- Quercetin, Rutin
Root- Chaksine & Isochaksine
Seed- Beta Sitosterol, Hydnocarpin, Apigenin, Raffinose

Chaksine is found to be antibacterial. It stimulates contraction of plain muscles like uterus, intestine, bladder and muscles in the blood vessels. Chaksine has ganglion blocking property.

Sanskrit verse

Uses

Uses of Cassia absus:

Used externally as a paste or collyrium in eye diseases like netra abishyanda (conjunctivitis), potaki (trachoma), netrasrava (Chronic dacryocystitis).
Externally used as paste for wound healing, skin diseases like Dadru (ringworm)
Used internally in the form of kashaya (decoction) to treat diseases like Grahani ( irritable bowel syndrome), raktatisara ( diarrhea with blood)
Used internally in powder form to treat ashmari (renal stones), mootrakrichha (difficulty in micturition).
Used internally in the form of kashaya to stop internal bleeding.
Used internally in the form of kashaya to treat sthavara and jangama visha (poison of plant and animal origin).
Chaksu seeds or its soaked seed powder, in a dose of 1 – 2 grams is administered for the treatment of hypertension.

Ayurvedic formulation containing Chakshushya: This drug is not known to be used by any of the ayurvedic manufacturers in any formulations.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.