Senna Pods Profile

Also known as

Senna alexandrina, Senna cassia, Alexandrian Senna, Khartoum Senna, and Tinnevelly Senna.

Introduction

Senna, a small, scrubby plant that grows in the deserts of North Africa.

Constituents

rhein-dianthrone diglycosides, dianthrone diglycosides, monoanthraquinone glycosides and aglyca, hydroxyanthracene glycosides, calculated as sennosides B (Mr 863) Albumen, mucilage, starch, volatile oil, resin, salts of potassium and calcium, and a principle resembling cathartin.

Parts Used

Seed pods

Typical Preparations

As a tea, in capsules, within herbal preparations and sometimes in esoteric food dishes

Summary

Precautions

Do not use senna for more than a week unless under the care of a doctor. Those with chronic bowel problems such as Crohn's disease should consult a doctor before using senna products. Its long term use is not recommended and it should not be used while pregnant. Its excessive use will result in diarrhea and/or abdominal pain.