Senna alata (L.) Roxb.

Ketepeng cina (Senna alata) is a shrub up to 4 meters tall of the Fabaceae family, originating from tropical America and now widely distributed across Indonesia. Its bark is sometimes used as a traditional tattoo dye, besides its distinctive leaves being popular as a hedge ornamental plant. Traditionally, ketepeng cina has long been believed to effectively treat ringworm, tinea versicolor, and other skin diseases.

This plant grows best under full sunlight, in soil ranging from heavy to sandy, acidic to slightly alkaline, with good drainage at pH 5.6-7.8. Prefers places with rainfall of 600-4,300 mm/year and average annual temperature of 15-30°C. Generally found in lowlands to mountains at elevations of 1,400 m above sea level.

• Roots taproot, branching, blackish.
• Stem woody, round shaped, sympodial, dirty brown in color.
• Leaves compound, oblong to inverted egg shaped, evenly pinnate, 8 to 24 pairs of leaflets, green. Fruit a pod, 18 cm long, ± 2.5 cm wide. Young fruit green, mature fruit blackish-brown.
• Flowers compound, spike-shaped, located at branch tips, yellow. Calyx divided into five, three stamens.
• Seeds pointed triangular and flat shaped, numbering 50-70 seeds per pod.

Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (stem/branch cuttings).

Rein aloe emodin, rein aloe emodin dianthrone, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, chrysophanic acid (dehydroxy methylanthraquinone).

Worm remedy, addresses constipation, treats canker sores, tinea versicolor, scabies, hemorrhoids, ringworm, high blood pressure, fever, asthma, bronchitis (lung inflammation), dyspnea (shortness of breath), snake bites, psoriasis (skin inflammation), malaria, dysentery.

Kupang-kupang (Madura), Ki manila (Sunda), Ketepeng kebo (Java), Sajamera (Halmahera), Tabakun (Tidore).