* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Senna Senna alexandrina Mill. (= Cassia senna L., C. angustifolia Vahl., C. acutifolia Del.).
Family: Fabaceae.
Other Names: Senna (French); Senna (German); senna (Italian); sen (Spanish).
Description: Senna is a shrub (up to 2 m) with compound, feathery leaves and small yellow flowers. Two cultivars or forms, previously considered to be two different species of the genus Cassia, are Alexandrian senna or Khartoum senna (previously C. senna or C. acutifolia) and Tinnevelly senna (previously C. angustifolia). The former is a somewhat smaller shrub with a higher anthranoid content. Cassia species with straight stamens (as opposed to curved stamens) were moved to the genus Senna, and the correct name for the combined species is Senna alexandrina.
Origin: Northeastern Africa and the Middle East. Raw material comes from Egypt and Sudan (still known in the trade as Alexandrian or Khartoum senna) or from cultivated plants in India and Malaysia (Tinnevelly senna).
Parts Used: Dried leaves (Sennae folium) or pods (Sennae fructus).
Therapeutic Category: Laxative.
Uses and Properties: Senna leaves and pods are widely used as a laxative to treat acute constipation. After anal-rectal surgery, or when painful haemorrhoids are present, senna is used to ensure a soft stool. The popularity of senna leaves and senna pods can be judged by the fact that millions of tons are produced each year. It is an ingredient of many laxative teas and other commercial preparations.
Preparation and Dosage: A tea is prepared with 1 g Alexandrian or 2 g Tinnevelly senna leaves or pods in a cup of hot (but not boiling) water. Depending on body mass and age, the effective daily dose of sennosides ranges from about 10 - 30 mg.
Active Ingredients: Both leaves and pods contain several dianthrone glycosides (about 3%), including sennosides A and B. Also present are anthraquinone glycosides such as the 8-glycosides of aloe-emodin and rhein, mucilage (10%) and flavonoids (mainly kaempferol derivatives).
Pharmacological Effects: The sennosides are broken down by bacterial enzymes in the colon to rhein anthrone. Rhein acts as stimulant and irritant laxative by promoting the active secretion of water into the colon and by preventing its reabsorption.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.; Comm. E+; ESCOP 5; WHO 1.
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Directions
Take 1 to 2 capsules before bedtime with a large glass of water.
Ingredients
Senna Leaf - 450 mg
Cautions
Long term use of Senna as a laxative may lead to dependency. Only use for occasional relief.
Senna should not be used for chronic constipation; danger of severe K+ loss.
Additional Information
Herb-Xtra is committed to the manufacture of high quality, standardized and guaranteed natural health products and supplements.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
