A variant spelling of canafistula; the cassia or senna tree, and the laxative pulp from its fruit pods.
From Arabic 'qanā' (tube) plus Latin 'fistula' (pipe), referring to the pod shape. 'Canafistola' is the Latin-Latinized form combining Arabic and Latin elements, used in medieval and Renaissance medical texts.
Canafistula was the medieval wonder drug—doctors prescribed it for everything because it worked as a gentle laxative without the harsh side effects of other remedies, making it the bestselling medication of the Middle Ages!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.