Distribution:
The tree is one of the most widespread in the forests in India, usually occurring in deciduous forests throughout the greater part of India, ascending up to an altitude of 1,220 m in the sub- Himalayan tract and outer Himalayas. It is both wild and cultivated.

Habit:
It is a deciduous, medium-sized tree with a grey, smooth, exfoliatng bark. 4-8 pairs of leaflets are seen, distinctly stalked, oblong or ovate, with a silvery pubescence; the flowers are bright yellow, in axillary, pendulous, lax racemes; the pods are cylindrical, smooth, hard, dark brown or black; the seeds light brown, hard, shiny, biconcave and are embedded in sweetish pulp.

Principle constituents:
The pulp contains sennosides A and B, rhein and its glucoside, barbaloin, aloin, formic acid, butyric acid, their ethyl esters and oxalic acid.

Indications:
The drug consists of the dried pod and its pulp. The pods are known for their laxative properties. The pulp is a safe purgative and is recommended for children and pregnant women. It is given in disorders of liver, in biliousness and acts as a tonic; it is also applied in gout and rheumatism. The drug may safely be used as an analgesic. As an antipyretic, it is a remedy for malaria and blackwater fever. It is also utilized in blood poisoning, anthrax and dysentery, and, given in leprosy and diabetes and for the removal of abdominal obstructions. A decoction of the drug is given in hoarseness.

Product range:
Pilex