Senna, also known as Cassia, is an African plant renowned worldwide for its unique properties. Also called Egyptian Senna and Alexandrian leaf, it's primarily used as a gentle, effective laxative that avoids the cramps, gas, and discomfort associated with other laxatives. This makes it highly valued in both traditional and modern medicine.
Senna belongs to the Fabaceae (legume) family and encompasses hundreds of species. These plants, typical of tropical and subtropical regions, are low-growing shrubs with slender, flexible branches. The central stem is erect, highly branched, and sturdy. Lower branches are significantly longer than upper branches and often lie on the ground. The bark is thin, light brown, and smooth.
Senna leaves are arranged alternately on the stems and consist of 4-8 pairs of oblong leaflets with pointed tips. The asymmetrical base of each leaflet contributes to the delicate, airy appearance of the compound leaf. A bristle-like stipule is located at the base of each leaflet.
Cassia (Senna) flowers are yellow, five-petaled, and arranged in loose racemes. The fruits are flat pods with a leathery husk, initially green, later turning brownish-gold.
In the wild, Senna thrives in desert and semi-desert environments characterized by water scarcity and intense heat. Wild Senna can be found near the Nile River, in Nubia and Somalia, as well as in Arabia and Sudan. For medicinal purposes, it's cultivated in Egypt and India. It's grown as an annual in Central Asian countries. Senna cannot be cultivated in Russia due to its intolerance to even slight cold temperatures.
Senna, particularly Cassia acutifolia, contains numerous chemical compounds. Its leaves are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, resins, and organic acids. They also contain anthracene derivatives, predominantly glycosides known as sennosides.
These compounds affect bowel motility: they accelerate peristalsis and slow down fluid absorption, thus acting as a laxative. Senna can be used for various conditions accompanied by constipation or delayed bowel movements, including:
Senna can also be beneficial for constipation resulting from dietary indiscretions. However, it's frequently used for bowel cleansing and as a component in weight-loss regimens ("body sculpting" or "cutting" cycles).
Important Note: Weight loss using Senna requires prolonged use, which can lead to the loss of essential electrolytes, potentially disrupting the body's fluid and electrolyte balance.
Cassia also possesses mild choleretic (bile-stimulating) and hepatoprotective (liver-protective) effects, making it useful for improving digestion after heavy meals.
Senna's laxative effect is gentler than that of many other plants with similar properties. The effect is typically noticeable 7-10 hours after ingestion. Unlike harsh laxatives, it doesn't irritate the intestinal lining but rather promotes smooth muscle contractions. This results in faster movement of bowel contents, preventing excessive fluid absorption. The outcome is a soft, comfortable bowel movement.
Interestingly, the effect of Senna depends on the dosage: small amounts improve digestion by stimulating bile secretion, while larger amounts induce laxation. Senna is entirely free of habit-forming substances, so withdrawal symptoms (constipation) are not experienced after cessation of use. However, prolonged use may lead to tolerance.
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