Cassia seeds are very popular, as they benefit human health. It was widely used in ancient medicines to cure several ailments related to digestion, eyes, joints, intestines, and liver, and it can also relieve several infections. These seeds come from two annual herbaceous plants: Cassia Tora L and Cassia obtusifolia L.
The cassia plant belongs to the Leguminosae family and is commonly found in the tropical areas of India, China, and Africa. The cassia plants have yellow flowers and dark green leaves. The seeds of this plant are found in the pods like the regular leguminous plants.
List of Top 10 Health Benefits Of Cassia Seeds
Cassia seeds are often used as a daily supplement and consumed as a tea, and the seed’s oil relieves joint aches and body pain. The health benefits of cassia seeds are given below.
1. Helps In Weight Loss
As cassia seeds have laxative properties, they aid in weight loss by expelling the toxins effectively. It also drains away from the excess water in the body and offers a toned look. Having cassia seed tea or its extract in your regular detox tea will help you lose those extra pounds. It is known for its purging activities that prevent the absorption of carbohydrates and fats in your body to initiate weight loss.
As per a study, it was found that cassia seeds caused lipid accumulation depletion in white adipose tissues. Adipose tissues are responsible for storing energy in the form of fat. Obesity is primarily due to the number of adipose tissues in the body and not by the person’s weight. (1)
Leguminosae seeds are also helpful in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, an obesity-related disease. In this study, the test was done with ethanol extract. (2)
2. Improves Digestion Of Food
The presence of organic compounds called glycosides in cassia seeds improves the gastric secretions in the body for promoting digestion. A cup of tea made from cassia seeds will help quick digestion. It also avoids intestinal dryness, as it has cooling properties and prevents the large intestine from building up heat during digestion.
It can also treat intestinal disorders in kids, like flatulence. Those suffering from stomach pain due to indigestion will get relief by massaging cassia seed oil mixed with linseed or almond oil in their navel area.
3. Prevents Constipation
Cassia seeds are widely used for their therapeutic benefits, which include their laxative properties. It has the purgative anthraquinone-like emodin that imparts the laxative effect of treating constipation issues. Drinking the tea prepared with cassia seeds daily will help keep the large intestine well hydrated and facilitate bowel movement.
Having the extract of the Cassia plant seeds will help soften and lubricate the stools. It also alleviates the buildup of heat in the intestinal tract.
4. Combats Microorganisms
Cassia seeds can inhibit the growth of microorganisms like fungi, which can cause severe skin infections. It can also kill bacteria and prevent the development of bacterial strains like Bacillus diphtheria, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus coli. Mixing cassia seed powder in drinking water will help cure all kinds of topical infections triggered by fungi.
Making an infusion with cassia seed extract and alcohol will be helpful for bacterial infections.
5. Treats Eye Problems
The seeds of the Cassia plant contain retinoic acid, which has made it find a place in the eye care medicines of ancient times. It can detox the liver and promote vision. These seeds treat various eye problems, such as blurred vision, itchy eyes, glaucoma, red, painful eyes, and dry eyes.
It is often used in herbal medicines to cure conjunctive congestion or bloodshot eyes and glaucoma using cassia seed extract with gentian root.
6. Lowers Hypertension
Regular cassia seed tea, like your green tea, will help lower high blood pressure. It can promote the circulation of blood in the body to keep the pressure levels of the blood under control. The seeds of the Cassia plant can also lower the blood lipids.
7. Maintains Cholesterol Levels
Cassia seeds play a pivotal role in preventing the level of serum cholesterol from rising to the fatal limit. It also suppresses the development of atherosclerotic plaque to prevent cardiovascular issues.
8. Relieves Cold and Flu
Cassia seeds have potent antimicrobial and antiviral properties, making them a natural treatment for cold and flu. Using cassia seed oil will prevent the outbreak of cold and flu. The seeds can relieve a headache, cure colds and flu, and combat all infections related to seasonal allergies.
9. Promotes Sleep
Using a cassia seed pillow instead of your foam pillow will help you enjoy a good night’s sleep. The therapeutic properties of these seeds would calm and relax the nerves while gently massaging your head. It is the best cure for people suffering from sleep apnea and insomnia. The pillow made with the Cassia plant seeds remains cool during the summer and warm during the winter.
People with chronic neck and shoulder pain can sleep with a cassia seed pillow. The thick texture of the seeds would offer meridian acupoint massage to cure several medical conditions like cervical spondylosis, dizziness, cerebral arteriosclerosis, and insomnia.
10. Soothes Body Pain
The oil extracted from the Cassia plant seeds is an effective treatment to ease arthritis pain in the joints. It has anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties. Massaging the joints with this oil daily will help kindle the blood flow to promote the efficiency of the circulatory system and facilitate better oxygen supply in the joints.
It can also alleviate the swelling, discomfort, and pain in the muscles and tissues by warming them and improving blood circulation. The decoction of cassia seeds is beneficial for kids with teething pain.
If you are searching for the best option to help you stay free from all kinds of infections and body pain and maintain your ideal body weight, then make sure you have a stock of cassia seeds in your kitchen. You can use it alone or with chrysanthemum or goji berries to prepare tea.
However, avoid using cassia seeds for the long term, as it has anthraquinones that can induce intestinal melanosis. Also, pregnant ladies should not use these seeds, as some components might cause premature labor.
What Are Cassia Seeds?
The Cassia plant seeds are known as jue ming zi in China and were used extensively in ancient Chinese medicine for their curing properties. These tiny seeds vary in color from brownish-green yellow to dark brown. These seeds have a salty, sweet, and slightly bitter taste.
Cassia seeds are usually cleaned and dried before use and can be utilized either directly or in powdered form to extract their goodness efficiently. It can also substitute for regular coffee by roasting and grinding the dried seeds. This seed is also known by its Latin name, Semen Cassiae.
Cassia seeds have gained immense popularity in recent years, as they can benefit your health in several ways by promoting eye health, correcting bowel movements, providing relief from colds and flu, and restoring the functions of the liver. The Cassia plant seeds are known for their laxative property and are used in Ayurveda as an expectorant, anthelmintic, and ophthalmic.
Side Effects of Cassia Tora Seeds
The benefits of Cassia seeds are due to the chemicals chrysophanol, obtusin, and Aurantio-obtusin. The chemicals also have some side effects. People suffering from diarrhea and digestion-related ailments should avoid it. It could worsen gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and gas problems. Since it works as a nervous system stimulant, the related side effects of anxiety are common, too.
It lowers blood pressure, and people on blood pressure medications should avoid taking it. Pregnant women should avoid it altogether. People suffering from qi deficiency should also avoid it.
According to research by Chauhan and Agarwal M, cassia fistula was found to cause infertility in female rats. However, if it has the same effect on humans is yet to be ascertained. Women should avoid it during pregnancy or could take advice from their doctor before taking it. (3)
Some studies suggest that people suffering from liver-related ailments should avoid using it.
Cassia Seed FAQ
What is cassia seed used for?
Cassia seed is used as a spice in many different foods. It is most commonly used in Indian cuisine, mixed with other herbs to give them flavor. Cassia seed can also be found in Middle Eastern cuisine, which provides dishes with a bitter taste. It also makes coffee, tea, and other hot drinks. Cassia is the dried fruit of the cassia tree. Cassia seed is a potent source of antioxidants, essential for preventing cell damage and promoting healthy skin and hair. It contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron. Cassia seed can be used instead of other spices, such as black pepper or cumin, when cooking food. However, it has a more robust flavor than these two spices and can be used in smaller amounts to get the desired flavor profile in your dish.
Does cassia seed help in weight loss?
Cassia seed is a type of spice that is used in many Indian and Chinese dishes. It is also known as cumin seed and has been used for centuries to help reduce weight. Cassia seed contains cinnamaldehyde, which has been shown to help suppress appetite and increase the burning of calories. In addition, it also enables you to lose weight by helping you burn more fat. Cassia seed is a popular weight loss supplement derived from the bark and seeds of the cinchona tree. Cassia seed has been shown to help reduce fat mass and improve blood sugar levels in people who are obese or have diabetes. Cassia seed also increases energy levels and decreases appetite, leading to weight loss. In addition, cassia seeds may also help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation.
Consult your doctor before taking it regularly if you are suffering from some disease.
What is cassia seed tea good for?
Cassia seed tea is made from the dried and ground seeds of the cassia tree. Cassia seed tea has a bitter taste and is often used as a substitute for black tea.
Cassia seed tea is suitable for people looking for an alternative to black tea because it has many health benefits but does not contain caffeine.
Some benefits of cassia seed tea include:
- Helps in reducing stress and anxiety
- Helps improve heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels and increasing good cholesterol levels
- It might help in improving digestion by promoting healthy intestinal flora
