Senna Tora or Chagate Plant

 Chagate plant 

Is it a weed or a vegetable or a medicinal plant ? yes its weed if not used as vegetable and medicine. Chagate or Tora plant (Senna tora) is normally found in wasteland normally after a month of first shower of monsoon. Its a main ingredient of Konkani recipes and used widely as seasonal vegetables. Tender tora leaves are used to prepare chutney, tambli, bhajji (fritters), patrode (steamed dumplings), dosa etc. 

Micro greens and wild edible plant leaves have gained popularity in the recent years and is sold as healthy food in restuarant tables and super markets ( Being sold in online mangalore store ) but from ages it is the part of daily diet for many in villages. Senna or Cassia tora is the one such plant which is considered as a weed or wild plant which contains nutritional goodness and also medicinal benefits. The shoots or tender leaves are consumed in monsoon and winter season as healthy food to warm up one’s constitution, boost immunity and to prevent and protect the body from climatic infections and diseases.

The whole plant and roots, leaves, and seeds have been widely used in traditional Indian and South Asian medicine. Young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable while the roasted seeds are used as a substitute coffee.

Sanskrit name for this plant is Chakra marada i,e ringworm destroyer and it is one of the listed ayurvedic herb. (Ref: "The Ayurveda encyclopedia " by Sri Swami Sadashiva Tirtha)

Action: Externally—germicide, antiparasitical; 

Internally—gentle laxative

Uses: Seeds and leaves are used for skin diseases. Mixed with lime juice, eases skin itch and eruption. ringworm (used externally). Leaf decoctions (1 part leaves : 10 parts water) given in two ounce doses to children, removes fevers during teething.

Leaves boiled in castor oil are applied to foul ulcers and inflammations. As a poultice, leaves has ten suppuration. Warmed they reduce gout, sciatica, and joint pains. Seeds are used as a substitute for tea and coffee.

Preparation: Decoction, paste, poultice, oil.