- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- Upper Egypt, Sudan and the Arabian Peninsula; now also grown in India. Senna alexandrina
- Sanskrit
- Markandika
- Other names
- Indiase senna
Africa · Herb · № 117
Senna alexandrina
Herb · Africa
Senna
Senna alexandrina
Leaves and pods contain sennosides, a stimulant laxative that works for short-term constipation. It is used in modern over-the-counter laxatives.
Safety notes
Use only short term. May cause cramps; prolonged use leads to potassium loss and a lazy bowel. Avoid with bowel inflammation, obstruction, in young children or in pregnancy without advice. Caution with heart medicines and diuretics.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Max. 7 days, then at least a 2-week break. Not in pregnancy, breastfeeding or bowel inflammation.
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Not in pregnancy, fever, haemorrhoids or bowel inflammation.
- Chinese materia medica: Not for chronic constipation from weakness, not during pregnancy, menstruation or breastfeeding and not for long periods. Combine with a warming herb such as ginger or tangerine peel to prevent cramps.
Preparation
Pods or leaves as a cold infusion or in standardised tablets. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Arab physicians introduced senna into European medicine in the 9th century; the name comes from Arabic. Ody notes it was traded through the port of Alexandria.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Stimulant laxative, cooling, antibacterial, expels worms.
Preparation and amount
3–6 pods (15–30 mg) overnight in a cup of warm water, drink in the morning, with a slice of ginger or 1 tsp fennel seed against cramps; tablets/granules in the morning; leaf tincture 10–30 drops.
Caution: Max. 7 days, then at least a 2-week break. Not in pregnancy, breastfeeding or bowel inflammation.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Laxative; safe laxative for constipation (also for children and the elderly), bile complaints, gout and rheumatism, intestinal worms, mild liver stimulant; paste for skin diseases and pimples.
Preparation and amount
Powder 1–2 g; decoction or tea 28–56 ml; tincture 5–20 ml; with an aromatic herb against cramps; leaf paste with vinegar on the skin.
Caution: Not in pregnancy, fever, haemorrhoids or bowel inflammation.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, bitter, cold
- Meridians
- large intestine
Attributed effects
Fan xie ye drains internal heat in constipation and a full feeling in the abdomen. A small amount softens the stool; more works as a laxative within a few hours.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.
Caution: Not for chronic constipation from weakness, not during pregnancy, menstruation or breastfeeding and not for long periods. Combine with a warming herb such as ginger or tangerine peel to prevent cramps.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTinctureCompress, poultice and pasteSyrup, honey and oxymel