SENNA

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Senna is Cassia Augustifolia which belongs to the Caesalpiniaceae family. It is also called Indian senna which is mainly used for its laxative activity.

Kannada – Nelavarika, Sonamukhi

Hindi – Sanaya

Malayalam – Sunnamukhi

Tamil – Nilapponnai, Avarai

Telugu – Sunamukhi

Marathi – Sonamukhi

Marathi – Sonamukhi

Gujarathi – Mindhiavol

Punjabi – Sannamakhi

Kashmiri – Sna

Sanskrit – Maadani

English – Indian senna

Senna is commonly found in Yemen and the Hadramaut of Southern Arabia. This senna plant was brought into India by an Arabian physician to remove the capillary congestion. It is cultivated in dry regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. In India, it is widely distributed in the coastal part of Gujarat and mainly in the Bhuj area.

It is a small perennial plant that grows less than a meter in ascending branches. The leaves are pinnate and petiolate which is 10cm long and it bears 5-8 pairs of leaflets. The flower starts to appear within 65-70 days after sowing and the pods are pale-green at the initial stage and change into greenish-brown and dark-brown.

Parts used: Dried leaves, pods, and root

Taste: Bitter, Pungent, and Sweet

Potency: Hot

On chemical compound analysis of Senna, it includes

Tinnevellin glycoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-gentiobioside, apigenin-6, 8-di-C-glycoside, emodin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol, aloe-emodin, D-3-O-methylinositol, sucrose

Mannitol, chrysophanol, salicylic acid, calcium oxalate, and volatile oils

ACTIONS:

Antimicrobial

Antibacterial

Laxative

Anthelmintic

Antioxidant

Anticancer

Hepatoprotective

Antidiabetic

Antimalarial

Antimalarial

Antihyperlipidemic

The dried leaf of this senna act as a purgative which is used to treat constipation, and abdominal distention

To treat skin diseases, the leaf paste is applied to an affected area

The senna leaf powder used to treat worm infestation, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout

Dried leaf or pod helps to stimulate the liver for pitta production

The leaves of senna are used in the treatment of constipation, loss of appetite, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, indigestion, malaria, jaundice, and anemia

Leaves and fruits are used in the form of decoction, and powder

Paste obtained from the powdered leaves and vinegar is applied on the skin to treat pimples

In the European market, senna leaves are used as a senna tea

The dose of the drug used according to the physician

Powder: 5-6g

Decoction: 40-50ml

Since it is a strong purgative in nature the use of senna may cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramp

Do not take senna regularly because the use of this plant may cause habit-forming and make your body senna-dependent for normal motion

Do not take senna if you are taking diuretic and steroids because it may interfere in the absorption of the intestine

Without consulting with the doctor do not take the senna with cardiac glycosides, anti-arrhythmic, and adrenocorticosteroids

Do not take this senna for more than 2 weeks for constipation because it may lead to potassium loss and electrolyte imbalance

Kindly avoid taking senna related products if you are suffering from irritable colon because it may cause abdominal pain

Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the chemical constituents of senna

Kindly avoid these senna leaves or pods when you are pregnant

It is contraindicated to use this senna for the patients who are having a history of intestinal diseases, inflammation of the alimentary canal, intestinal obstruction, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, and Crohn's diseases

Constipation:

Traditional view: Constipation occurs due to consumption of junk food, stress, depression, excessive coffee intake, late night sleeping. It is caused due to the worsening of Vata and pitta dosha. The use of senna helps to treat constipation by easily expelling the waste products from the large intestine due to its purgative nature.

Take the required amount of senna powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water before going to sleep at night. Use this remedy to treat constipation

Modern view: Senna contains chemical constituents which have the laxative property that helps to loosen the stool and increase the movement of the bowel and it also easy excrete the stool

Intestine preparation before any surgery:

Due to its laxative property, it increases the movement of the bowel and easily excretes the stool. It also stimulates the water and electrolyte transport which increases the movement of the intestine and helps to clear the intestines for Colonoscopy

Piles:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Piles is called Arsh usually occurs due to the imbalance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas this leads to constipation and cause edema in the rectal veins which leads to piles. The use of senna helps to control the bleeding by reducing the size of the pile mass and balancing the Vata and Pitta by its laxative and hot effect

Take the required amount of senna powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water before going to sleep at night. Use this remedy to get relief from constipation and hemorrhoids

Modern view: Due to its laxative property it helps to increase the movement of the bowel and easily excrete the stool which prevents constipation and the development of the hemorrhoid

Weight loss:

Obesity occurs due to lifestyle modifications which lead to poor digestive fire and this increases the accumulation of toxins in the body and causes an imbalance in the Meda dhatu which results in obesity. The use of senna helps to reduce the body weight by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties and it also helps to improve the metabolism and remove the extra fluid or toxins from the body by its laxative effect

Take the required amount of senna powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water before going to sleep at night. Use this remedy to control body weight

Worm infestation:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, it is called Kirmi. Usually, kirmi starts to grow if you have a weak digestive fire. The use of senna helps to kill the kirmi by improving the impaired digestion by its hot potency and it also clears the worms from the intestines by its laxative property

Modern view: Due to its anthelmintic property it removes the worms from the intestines without causing any damage to the host

Skin diseases:

The use of senna controls the symptoms that occur due to the skin diseases like eczema, skin blisters, swelling, itching, and bleeding. By applying the senna leaves paste on an affected area helps to reduce the symptoms of skin diseases by its healing effect

Take the required amount of senna powder and mix it with vinegar and make it a paste. Apply this paste on an affected area to reduce the symptoms of skin diseases

Acne and Pimples:

According to Ayurveda, acne and pimples occur to the patient who is more prone to Kapha and Pitta imbalance this increases the production of sebum and clogs the pores of the skin which results in the formation of white and blackheads. The use of senna balances the Kapha and Pitta to prevent the clog pores

Take the required amount of senna powder and mix it with vinegar and make it a paste. Apply this paste on an affected area to get rid of acne and pimples

The Senna comes in various formulations includes

Senna powder:

Take the required amount of senna powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water before going to sleep at night. Use this remedy to treat constipation

Senna tablet or capsule:

Take the required amount of senna capsule or tablet as per the doctor advice and take it with lukewarm water

External use:

Senna powder:

Take the required amount of senna powder and mix it with vinegar and make it a paste. Apply this paste on an affected area to reduce the symptoms of skin diseases

Nausea

Excessive salivation

Increased thirst

Dehydration

Liver damage

Pruritus

Urticaria

Is Senna powder available in the market?

Yes, it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic medical stores.

How to store Senna powder?

It should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children

What is the best time to take senna?

It is best to take it in a night time before going to bed

Is Senna safe for children?

It is considered safe to use senna in children who are below 2 years old. Kindly consult with the doctor before taking senna