Senna tora (L.) Roxb.

Ketepeng kecil (Senna tora) is an upright shrub up to 2 meters tall of the Fabaceae family, originating from tropical America and now widely distributed across tropical countries. Its young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable, while its roasted seeds are used as a tea substitute. Traditionally, ketepeng kecil is believed to be laxative and help address ringworm and skin diseases.

This plant is commonly found on cultivated land as a weed, mountain slopes, riverbanks and mostly in dry to wet shrubland, at elevations of 100-1,400 m above sea level. The required annual temperature is between 15-30 °C and it prefers full sunlight conditions.

• Stem has foliage with a distinctive odor when young.
• Leaves green, 6-8 cm long with 3 pairs of opposite leaflets.
• Flowers yellow with 5 petals.
• Fruit a pod shape, with 4 corners and many seeds inside. 

• Propagated vegetatively (seed).
• Maintenance of this plant is fairly easy, needs adequate water and routine watering to maintain moisture.

Anthraquinones, glycosides, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, chrysophanol, emodin, aloe-emodinrhein, physcion, obtusin, toralactone, aurant-obtusin, rubrobusin, torachryson.

• Laxative remedy, treats eye pain, addresses ringworm, skin diseases, wounds, boils, insect bites, dysentery and anthelmintic.
• Has antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antifungal activity.

• Select mature, good quality ketepeng kecil seeds.
• Wash and clean the ketepeng seeds. Weigh on a tray.
• Dry in the sun for 7 days or until the ketepeng seeds are completely dry.

Ketepeng cilik (Java), Ketepeng leutik (Sunda), Galenggeng kecil (Malay), Pepo (Timor).