Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Written by Nicole Galan, RN on January 20, 2018
Senna is an herb that comes from several different flowering species of the Cassia plants. The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the senna plant have been used in tea as a laxative or stimulant for centuries. The leaves of the Senna plant are also used in some teas to help relieve constipation or promote weight loss. The most common Cassia senna plants used are the C. acutifolia, and C. angustifolia plants, which are grown in the Middle East and India. Share on PinterestThe leaves of the senna plant are used in teas and may help relieve constipation. Senna is most often used as a laxative, either to relieve constipation or in some cases, to help with weight loss. It is also an ingredient in some conventional over-the-counter laxatives. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved senna as a non-prescription drug to treat constipation. The most common doses are:
It is not recommended to use senna for longer than 2 weeks at a time. There have been some case reports of people suffering from liver damage, coma or nerve damage after using senna. In these cases, people were using senna at much higher than the recommended doses and for more extended periods of time. People with certain medical conditions should not use senna, including: Also, anyone with abdominal pain or children under the age of 2 years should not use senna. Pregnant women and breast-feeding mothersSenna may or may not be safe for use during pregnancy. Pregnant women with constipation should speak with their doctor before using senna or any other laxative. Senna appears to be safe for women who are breast-feeding, when used in the recommended amount. Even though a small amount of the herb passes into the breast milk, it does not appear to have any effect on a nursing baby’s stool. Share on PinterestCramping or abdominal pain are possible side effects of drinking senna tea. Senna can cause some uncomfortable and even some serious side effects. They can include:
Long-term use of senna can cause dependence in order to have a bowel movement, finger clubbing (usually reversible), rectal bleeding, and wasting. Someone experiencing any of these side effects should speak with their doctor, especially if they do not go away. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids or electrolyte replacement solutions, such as Gatorade, when taking senna. This is to prevent a person from losing too much fluid or electrolytes, especially if they have diarrhea. To deal with cramping or abdominal pain, people can reduce the dose until the discomfort subsides. There are several drug interactions to be noted. By being aware of these, people can make sure that they are drinking senna tea safely. People taking the following medications or herbal supplements should avoid taking senna: Share on PinterestThose already taking the herb horsetail should not drink senna tea as both are believed to lower potassium levels.
Senna is generally well tolerated and thought to be safe for most people. However, it does have the potential to cause serious complications in some people with certain health conditions and who take certain medications. It is best to consult a doctor with any questions about taking senna. Last medically reviewed on January 20, 2018 Senna, the sennas, is a large genus of flowering plants in the legume family (Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae,[2] tribe Cassieae). This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species in temperate regions. The number of species is estimated to be from about 260[3] to 350.[4] The type species for the genus is Senna alexandrina. About 50 species of Senna are known in cultivation.[5] Mill. Over 300; see text
List Senna includes herbs, shrubs, and trees. The leaves are pinnate with opposite paired leaflets. The inflorescences are racemes at the ends of branches or emerging from the leaf axils. The flower has five sepals and five usually yellow petals. There are ten straight stamens. The stamens may be different sizes, and some are staminodes. The fruit is a legume pod containing several seeds.[6] Chamaecrista, Cassia, and Senna form a monophyletic group which some authors have called Cassia sensu lato.[7] In 1982, the group was named Cassiinae and classified as a subtribe of the tribe Cassieae.[8] The tribe Cassieae contains 21 genera and is now known to be polyphyletic,[7] but the classification is still accepted because a revision of Fabaceae has yet to be published.[7] The genus Senna has had a complex taxonomic history.[9] What is now known as Senna was included by Linnaeus in his concept of Cassia in Species Plantarum in 1753.[10] Philip Miller segregated Senna from Cassia in 1754 in the fourth edition of The Gardeners Dictionary.[11] Until 1982, many authors, following Linnaeus, did not recognize Senna and Chamaecrista, but included them in a broadly circumscribed Cassia sensu lato. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA have shown that Chamaecrista, Cassia, and Senna are all monophyletic, but the relationships between these three genera have not been resolved.[3] They are therefore shown in phylogenetic trees as a tritomy. The genus name derives from the Arabic sanā, describing plants whose leaves and pods have cathartic and laxative properties.[12] As of December 2019[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[13][14][15] Senna alexandrina Senna artemisioides Senna bicapsularis Senna didymobotrya
Senna macranthera Senna multiglandulosa Senna occidentalis Senna pendula Senna spectabilis Senna surattensis Senna odorata
The caterpillars of many species feed on Senna plants. The black witch (Ascalapha odorata), two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator), common emigrant (Catopsilia pomona), and mottled emigrant (C. pyranthe) have all been recorded on candle bush (S. alata), for example. Some species have extrafloral nectaries on the leaves or flower stalks that are visited by ants.[3] PollinationSenna species are pollinated by a variety of bees, especially large female bees in genera such as Xylocopa.[3] They rely on "buzz pollination" and some within that on "ricochet pollination", which is a secondary pollen presentation where the pollen is not deposited on the pollinator's body by direct contact with the anthers.[20] The flowers have two sets of stamen: feeding stamens, which are longer, and pollinating stamens, which are smaller in size.[21] Due to buzz pollination, the pollens from the pollinating stamens get thrown from the anthers and ricochets against the petals multiple times before it settles on the dorsal side of the pollinating bee. The roughness on the petal walls causes the pollen to slow down its speed. The ricocheting effect alone cannot ensure effective pollen dissemination. It is aided by static charges wherein the flying bees become positively charged owing to the friction in the air and the pollen becomes negatively charged because of which they naturally get attracted to the bees body. The pollinator bee ends up carrying the pollen and also gets to feed on the pollen which is on the feeding stamens.[20] Some Senna species are used as ornamental plants in landscaping. The species is adapted to many climate types. Cassia gum, an extract of the seeds of Chinese senna (S. obtusifolia), is used as a thickening agent. The leaves and flowers of Siamese cassia (S. siamea) are used in some Southeast Asian cuisines, such as Thai, Shan/Burmese and Lao cuisines. They are known as khi-lek in Thai, and are used in curries.[22] LaxativeThroughout history Egyptian senna (S. alexandrina) has been used for its laxative properties, either in the form of senna pods or as herbal tea made from the leaves.[citation needed] Senna is considered to be a bowel stimulant on the myenteric plexus of the colon to induce peristaltic contractions and decrease water absorption from inside the colon, effects that would provide relief from constipation.[23] The laxative syrup of figs gets most of its effect from the presence of senna.[24] Senna or its extracted sennosides, alone or in combination with sorbitol or lactulose, have been evaluated in systematic reviews and Cochrane reviews for treatment of constipation in children and the elderly. Some studies showed limited evidence for efficacy,[25][26][27] whereas others indicated the study designs were too weak to be certain of senna having utility as a laxative.[23][28][29]
A fossil seed pod of Senna sp. from the middle Eocene epoch has been described from the Rancho clay pit in Henry County, Tennessee (United States).[30]
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