Botanical Name(s): Cassia acutifolia (DELL.)
Parts Used: Dried leaflets and pods
Description: Senna is a small shrub growing to a height of 2 feet. The plant possesses erect stem, pale green colour and long, spreading branches. The branches bear leaflets which occur in four or five pairs with an average length of an inch. The flowers are small and yellow in colour. The pods are broadly oblong with a length of 2 inch and breadth of 7/8 inch. It contains about six seeds.
Uses: Senna is used as purgative. As its actions centre on the lower bowel so it is suitable in habitual costiveness.A number of best-selling laxative products that did contain phenolphthalein, which has recently been removed from the market because of a link to cancer in rodents, have been reformulated to contain senna as the active ingredient. In any case, remember that senna is a potent cathartic medication, not just a different-tasting tea. Habitual dosing with this or any other anthraquinone -containing laxative should be avoided, or excessive irritation of the colon may result. Chronic abuse may cause electrolyte disturbances and fluid imbalances due to potassium loss and may interfere with or potentiate the activity of cardiac glycosides. It is important to carefully follow label instructions and warnings for appropriate formulations of this important medication.Early records - Senna was first used medicinally by Arabian physicians in the 9th century AD.
Constipation - Senna has always been specifically used for constipation. It is particularly appropriate when a soft stool is required -for example, in cases of anal fissure. Senna is a good short-term laxative but should not be taken for more than 10 days since this leads to weakening of the large bowel muscles.
Cathartic - As a cathartic (very strong laxative), senna can cause griping and colic, and is therefore normally taken with aromatic, carminative herbs that relax the intestinal muscles.
Other medical uses - Incontinence, fecal
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