What is Senna Alexandrina? Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of Cassia Angustifolia - Comprehensive Buying Guide

Table of Content

1. Introduction

Senna Alexandrina, also known as Cassia Angustifolia, some other common names are sanay, senna, Alexandrian Senna, Alexandrinische Senna, Casse, Cassia acutifolia, Cassia angustifolia, Cassia lanceolata, Cassia senna. It is mainly found in India and Egypt. It is a plant with medicinal properties commonly used to relieve constipation. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its laxative effects and has since become popular in modern medicine. 

Senna extracts of the leaves, flowers, and fruit of senna have been used for centuries in folk medicine as a laxative and stimulant. The active components of senna are glycosides and sennosides.

The leaves of the plant are elongated with an asymmetrical base and sharp from the edges, it is yellowish-green in color. Flowers are grouped in axillary racemes; they have shining yellow petals with broken sparkles. Senna fruit is growing in pods, they are green when young and brown when mature.

In Ayurveda senna leaves are mainly used for medical preparation, it is a popular herbal remedy for a laxative, weight loss, and detox.

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2. Ayurvedic properties 

1. Rasa (Taste): Senna leaves are bitter in taste (Tikta Rasa).

2. Virya (Potency): They are considered cooling in nature (Sheeta Virya).

3. Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is pungent (Katu Vipaka).

4. Dosha Effects: Senna leaves primarily balance Vata dosha due to their laxative and purgative properties. However, they can also increase Pitta dosha if used in large quantities or for an extended period.

Ayurvedic Uses:

1. Constipation Relief: Senna leaves are widely used as a natural laxative to relieve occasional or chronic constipation. They help stimulate the bowel muscles and promote bowel movements.

2. Colon Cleansing: Senna leaves are used in traditional Ayurvedic practices for colon cleansing, which is believed to support digestive health.

3. Detoxification: The purgative properties of Senna leaves aid in detoxification by eliminating accumulated waste and toxins from the digestive system.

4. Digestive Support: In smaller doses, Senna leaves can stimulate the digestive fire (Agni) and promote improved digestion.

5. Liver Health: Senna leaves are believed to have a beneficial effect on liver function and may support liver health.

3. What are the Benefits of Senna?

Senna leaves have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and laxative properties and contain essential oils and tannin. The leaves contain a chemical called sennosides, which cause a laxative effect on the body. It is beneficial for constipation and effectively cleans out the bowels.

It is one of the safest and most effective remedies in the treatment of constipation. It balances Vata and promotes Kapha doshas. Here are some benefits of Senna leaves.

For Constipation

Senna contains laxative and purgative properties with the chemical composition of glycosides and sennosides, these compounds stimulate intestinal contractions that lead to the rapid expulsion of waste matter. These muscular contractions help to move stool through the bowel and help relieve constipation.

Senna also prevents water and electrolytes from being reabsorbed from the colon. This increases the amount of fluid in the intestines and softens the stool.

For Colon

Senna is beneficial to clear the bowel and helps to treat the colon when this herb is used with castor oil. It is beneficial to improve nutrient uptake and support overall colon health. It is believed that senna has been used along with other agents to clean the colon before a colonoscopy.

For Inflammation

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, a chemical compound called resveratrol helps to reduce inflammation. Although Senna leaves are not recommended for long use for chronic constipation problems.

For Digestion

Senna contains natural enzymes, and the anti-inflammatory compound resveratrol helps to restore gastric juice secretion in the stomach and soothe the inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The proper dosage of senna for a particular time helps to get rid of this problem.

For Skin

Senna contains natural essential oils, antibacterial, tannins, acetone, and ethanol compounds which help to make skin healthy and glowing. Essential oil and tannins are beneficial to treat skin inflammation and their antibacterial compound helps to heal wounds, cuts, and burns.

The other two compounds acetone and ethanol are beneficial to treat acne and help in cell regeneration and collagen production.

For Parasite

Senna is also beneficial for destroying parasites and expelling worms from the intestinal tract, it works best when combine with other herbs like fennel seed, ginger, and clove. With the combination of these herbs, senna helps to increase regularity and reduce the chance of bowel cramps.

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4. How to Use Cassia Angustifolia?

Dosage and uses are dependent upon the health problems and conditions or as recommended by an Ayurvedic doctor. The recommended dosage is 5-10 grams of Senna twice daily. Here are the uses of Senna alexandrina.

• Take 5 grams of Seena leaf powder with normal water twice a day after meals, helps to improve digestion.
• Take 5-6 grams of Seena leaf powder with lukewarm water twice a day after meal, helps to treat constipation.
• Take 5 grams of Seena leaf powder and 1 ½ cups of water, take a pan and boil the water with senna. Stain the water in a cup and drink it when at normal temperature.
• Make a decoction of Seena leaf powder and apply it skin, helps to reduce acne, pimple, and inflammation.
• Use senna as a tea or mix it with your regular tea.
• Take 5 grams of powder for each, senna leaf, fennel, coriander, and ginger. Mix them all and take this mixture after a meal, helps to reduce inflammation and constipation.
• Take senna leaf powder with castor oil helps to reduce colon problems.

5. Side Effects 

Although any Ayurvedic herbs don’t have any side effects a proper dosage according to the body mass index is recommended. Long use of senna without a proper dosage may cause some side effects on the body which are:

• Diarrheal
• Loss of fluid
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Drowsiness
• Electrolyte disturbance
• Dehydration
• Intestinal obstruction
• Bloating
• Stomach upset

Long-term use of senna without a proper dose may depend on the laxative and can be a cause of liver damage. Consult the doctor for the proper dose. It may react with some other medicines.

Here is the list.

• If you are on any kind of heart, kidney, or liver medication, consult the doctor before starting the senna.
• Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not take without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
• Do not use Senna without consult if you are on medication of these: blood thinners, diuretics, steroids, or licorice roots.
• If you are above 65 years and want to start senna then consult the doctor and talk about the health conditions.
• If you are on any supplements, vitamins, or herbal medication, consult the doctor.
• If you are allergic to the senna chemical compound, talk to a doctor before starting.

6. Senna Tea Recipes

Senna Green Tea

Ingredients

• Green Tea – 1tsp
• Seena Leaves – 1tsp
• Water – 2 cups
• Black Pepper – ¼ tsp

Method

• Take a pan and boil the water.
• Turn off the heat and add all the ingredients. Keep it in a pan and cover the lid for 2-3 minutes. So that green tea and seena are properly infused in water.
• Strain the tea in a cup and add honey and lemon.

Senna Masala Tea Recipe

It helps to reduce inflammation, acidity, and gastric problems and keeps digestion healthy and fit.

Ingredients

• Green Tea – 1tsp
• Seena Leaves – 1tsp
• Water – 2 cups
• Fennel seeds – ½ tsp
• Mint leaves – ½ tsp
• Black Salt – ¼ tsp
• Ginger Powder – ½ tsp

Method

• Take a pan and boil the water.
• Turn off the gas and add all the ingredients, cover the lid, and keep it for 2-3 minutes. So that green tea and senna are properly infused in water.
• Strain the tea in a cup and add lemon.