Senna: properties, use, contraindications

By the Doctor Giuseppe Annunziata

Senna ( Cassia angustfolia ) is a plant of the Fabaceae family useful for its laxative and anthelmintic properties . Let's find out better.

Among the so-called diseases of our century (big hat under which numerous pathologies and symptomatological manifestations are closely correlated or directly caused by conditions of prolonged stress), one of the main ones is, without doubt, constipation or "lazy bowel syndrome" .

An excellent and effective natural remedy is represented by the Cassia angustifolia (vol. Senna), a plant with remarkable laxative properties, already widely used in the past. The Seine is able to regularize the intestinal transit thus determining a real "re-education" of the lazy intestine, thanks to the presence of particular active ingredients (anthraquinone glycosides) that act at the level of the gastrointestinal tract weakly irritating the mucosa and thus allowing evacuation.

Property of the Seine

The main properties of the Seine are: powerful laxative, anthelmintic, febrifuge . The drug is recommended in cases of acute constipation, constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures and for the elimination from the intestinal tract of contrast media used for radiological diagnostic tests.

You can learn more about all the natural remedies for anal fissures

Method of use

It is possible to use the drug in the form of fluid extract (up to twenty drops twice a day - after medical advice) or as an infusion (prepared with dried leaves or fruits, left to soak in boiling water) to be consumed in the evening before going to bed .

These preparations are capable of causing an evacuation approximately six hours after intake . It is also possible to prepare a drink by allowing the drug to soak for 10-12 hours in water at room temperature: the preparation is more effective and safer than the infusion.

Contraindications and side effects

Due to the presence of active ingredients that tend to irritate the intestinal mucosa (anthraquinones), in order to cause desired evacuations, the drug is contraindicated in the case of irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal obstructions, intestinal irritations, chronic constipation, spastic constipation, rectal stenosis, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, Crohn's disease, abdominal pain.

It is not recommended for use under 12 and during pregnancy. Being an anthraquinone laxative, it is good practice to use the senna only in case of occasional constipation and not to prolong the treatment beyond ten days.

Description of the plant

The vernacular name which indicates the Cassia angustifolia, Senna, derives from the name of the region of Nubia Sennàr; its meaning, instead, from the Arabic and would mean "to heal ".

The Seine is a plant native to the Middle East, Egypt and India, belonging to the botanical family of the Febaceae, which includes over ten thousand different species.

It appears as a herbaceous plant or as a small shrub that can reach over a meter and a half high, with yellow-green leaves, grouped and elongated, yellow flowers, gathered in small inflorescences and black fruits, flattened and elongated.

Dried leaves and / or fruits are used to obtain the drug from the plant. Among the active ingredients of the phytocomplex, the primary line is hydroxyantracene glycosides (sennoside A and B); mucilage; tartrate.