TICAH Plant Database

Cassia (Senna) didymobotria

English: Wild Senna/ Candle Bush/ Ringworm Bush, Kamba: Inyumganai, Kikuyu: Mwino, Kipsigis: Senetwet, Kisii: Omobino, Kuria: Iribeno, Luhya: Lubino, Luo: Obino, Maasai: Osenetoi, Nandi: Senetwet, Ogiek: Senetwet, Sabaot: Senetwet, Turkana: Lamanya,

Family: Fabaceae

The plant is simple of peace in the Kuria community, it brings love and protection. Among the Duruma, it is used to treat measles. The Kuria community uses it to treat skin conditions. In the Luo community, the plant is used for cleansing while among the Luhya, it is a peace tree that is used during prayers.
Other uses

For conditions like acne and pimples, young leaves are crushed and applied to the affected areas.
For gastrointestinal problems, a handful of the roots is boiled in 3 glasses of water till 2 glasses remain. 1 glass is taken in the evening before supper and the remaining glass after exactly 8 hrs.

It is also used for menstrual problems. Leaves are dried in a shade and crushed to powder, a teaspoon of the powder is soaked in lukewarm water and taken cold very early in the morning during or when approaching menstruation.

Similarly, roots, which are black in color can also be used. It is boiled and taken 1 glass very early before eating. It is good for uterine problems and cervical cancer. Take only 3 days within menstruation.

It has mainly been used to detox the system, i.e. to induce diarrhea and empty the bowels. Boil the roots, take ½ a glass twice a day for children of 5-10 yrs. and 3-5 yrs. ¼ glass twice a day, and 1 glass twice a day for adults.