Related Terms

• Anthraquinoids, anthraquinones, cássia de empingem (Portuguese - Brazil), Cassia mimosoides spp., Cassia nomame, catechins, Chamaecrista mimosoides L., chichani (Marathi), emodic acid, emodin, emodin glycosides, Fabaceae (family), feather-leaved cassia, fish-bone cassia, five-leaf cassia, glucosides, guaiacol peroxidase, hama cha (Japanese), Japanese tea, kawara-ketumei (Japanese), kita, Leguminosae (family), luteolin, luteolin glucosides, mateloi, mateloi lalahi, mimosoides tea, mountain flat-bean, nemucha (Japanese), nomame, nomame herba, patwa ghas (Hindi), phenols, physcion, sensitiva (Portuguese - Brazil), tea senna, ukellela chedip (Palauan).

Background

• Nomame (Cassia nomame) is a medicinal herb native to China that now grows wild in many parts of the world. In folk medicine, nomame is reportedly used to increase urine flow. Hama-cha, a water-based extract of nomame leaves, stems, and pods, is a popular tea in Japan.

• Nomame is often an ingredient in weight loss products. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of nomame on body weight and fat breakdown in humans.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Diabetes, diarrhea, diuretic (increases urine flow), fat burning, gastrointestinal conditions, inflammation, metabolic enhancement (improved burning of calories in food), obesity/weight loss.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for nomame in adults. For weight loss, nomame has been taken by mouth 2-3 times daily before meals.

Children (under 18 years old)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for nomame in children.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

• Avoid with known allergy or sensitivity to nomame, its constituents, or plants of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family, such as peas, beans, and peanuts.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Nomame may cause diarrhea. Use with caution in patients with gastrointestinal conditions or conditions where nutrients are poorly taken up by the digestive system.

• Use with caution in those who are taking weight loss supplements or those who are on restricted diets.

• Avoid with known allergy or sensitivity to nomame, its constituents, or plants of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family.

• Avoid in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Nomame is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• Nomame may interact with anticancer drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs, laxatives, and weight loss drugs.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Nomame may interact with anticancer herbs and supplements, beta-carotene, cholesterol-lowering herbs and supplements, fat-soluble vitamins, laxative herbs and supplements, and weight loss herbs and supplements.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

1. Brudnak MA. Weight-loss drugs and supplements: are there safer alternatives? Med Hypotheses 2002;58(1):28-33.View Abstract

2. Ganguly A, Choudhury R, Mitra SR, et al. Chemical Investigation of Cassia mimosoides. Planta Med 1985;51(6):540.View Abstract

3. Hatano T, Uebayashi H, Ito H, et al. Phenolic constituents of Cassia seeds and antibacterial effect of some naphthalenes and anthraquinones on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1999;47(8):1121-7.View Abstract

4. Hatano T, Yamashita A, Hashimoto T, et al. Flavan dimers with lipase inhibitory activity from Cassia nomame. Phytochemistry 1997;46(5):893-900.

5. Kadowaki S, Naitou K, Takahara Y, et al. Extract of Cassia nomame has effect on the cell cycle of CHO-K1 cells and suppresses chromosome aberrations induced by Mitomycin C. Wa-Kan iyakugaku zasshi 2003;20(4):168-172.

6. Kim YO, Johnson JD, Lee EJ. Phytotoxicity of Phytolacca americana leaf extracts on the growth, and physiological response of Cassia mimosoides. J Chem Ecol 2005;31(12):2963-74.View Abstract

7. Kitanaka S, Takido M. Anthraquinoids from Cassia nomame. Journal of Natural Products 1985;48:849.

8. Konishi T, Naitou K, Kadowaki S, et al. Anti-clastogenic ingredients in Cassia nomame extract. Biofactors 2004;22(1-4):99-102.View Abstract

9. McCarty MF. Nutraceutical resources for diabetes prevention--an update. Med Hypotheses 2005;64(1):151-8.View Abstract

10. Shimura S, Tsuzuki W, Itoh Y, et al. Inhibitory effect of tannin fraction from Cassia mimosoides L. var. nomame Makino on lipase activity. Nippon Shokuhin Kogyo Gakkai-Shi 1994;41(8):561-564.

11. Subramanian S, Nagarajan S. Chemical components of the roots and seeds of Cassia mimosoides. Indian J Pharm 1970;32:70-71.

12. Subramanian S, Nagarajan S. Chemical examination of the leaves of Cassia mimosoides. Indian J Pharm 1969;31:110-111.

13. Sugimoto T, Wada Y, Yamamura S, et al. Fluorescence study on the nyctinasty of Cassia mimosoides L. using novel fluorescence-labeled probe compounds. Tetrahedron 2001;57(49):9817-9825.

14. Ueda M, Nakamura Y. Chemical basis of plant leaf movement. Plant Cell Physiol 2007;48(7):900-7.View Abstract

15. Yamamoto M, Shimura S, Itoh Y, et al. Anti-obesity effects of lipase inhibitor CT-II, an extract from edible herbs, Nomame Herba, on rats fed a high-fat diet. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2000 Jun;24(6):758-64.View Abstract