Details of the plant:
Senna leaves is grown from seed and requires plenty of sun. The plant is a small perennial shrub, growing from 5 to 8 meters in height with a straight woody stem and clusters of flowers that resemble candles, eventually turning into seed pods. The senna leaves have a stronger action than the senna pods. The part of this plant used medicinally valuable and its a safe and effective medicinal plant used widely throughout the world.
Constituents:
Senna contains hydroxyanthracene glycosides known as sennosides. These glycosides stimulate Colon activity and thus have a laxative effect.
Senna leaves contain many anthraquinone compounds, including dianthrone glycosides, which make up 1. 5 to 3 percent of the herb. Senna leaves is a strong anthraquione containing purgative that is used only in acute constipation.
Uses:
In India ayurvedic medicine, senna is used for constipation and also for skin problems, jaundice, bronchitis, liver disease, splenomegaly, typhoid fever and anemia. Tablets are the most commonly taken for constipation. An infusion is combined with fresh ginger and cloves and used for mild constipation.
Tinctures are used by herbalists for short-term constipation.
The world health organization (who) approves senna leaves for short-term use in occasional constipation (who, 1999) .
Senna is considered a cleansing herb because of its cathartic effect and has been used as a natural laxative for centuries.
Its name of ringworm cassia (senna leaves) was given because a leaves extract is used to combat that fungal infection, especially in Malaysia.
Senna was given the name of purging cassia in Europe during the middle ages because it was used at that time in an italian medical school as a purgative.
In Chinese medicine, senna leaves is used for liver fire patterns, atherosclerosis and for constipation and also used for health drinks.
Senna is one of the few herbal medicines approved by the food and drug administration (fda) for over-the-counter use. It is probably the most widely used herbal active ingredients.