Senna for constipation and hypertension
Scientific Name : Cassia senna L.
Family : Leguminosae (Pea Family)
Common Name : Senna, senna leaves, hojas de sen, Alexandrian senna
Part(s) used Leaves
Contains : Anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, acids, saponin, resin, volatile oil (trace).
Traditional uses : For constipation. Conditions in which easy defecation with soft stools is desirable, e.g. anal fissure or hemorrhoids; hypertension (high blood pressure), elderly. As food flavoring.
How to use : Pour warm or hot water (150ml) over ½ level teaspoon of senna leaf or fruit and after 10 minutes filter through a tea strainer. Drink a cup of freshly prepared tea in the morning and/or in the evening before going to bed.
Avoid using with cardiac glycosides, diagnostic test.
Special precautions : Should not be given to patients with intestinal obstruction or with undiagnosed abdominal symptoms or inflammatory bowel disease. Prolonged use should be avoided. It may cause discoloration of the urine. During pregnancy and lactation, use only after medical advise. Should not be given to children under 2 years old.