Senna leaf: what is this medicinal plant and how to take it?

Nature provides us with plants with therapeutic effects that, in many cases, are preferred over drugs, seen as more extreme, invasive and artificial treatments.

Senna leaf is a plant whose use dates back to the Middle Ages, a time when they already knew its properties as a laxative.

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What is senna leaf?

In recent years, this plant has become increasingly popular, not only being used to treat intestinal problems such as daily constipation, but it has also been attributed slimming properties.

Although as a natural laxative it has been shown to be quite effective, the senna plant is not without controversy, since, at certain doses, it can cause more harm than good on the body.

We are going to see in more detail what this plant is, how it can be prepared in infusion format, what its therapeutic effects are and also its side effects and what it should not be used for.

A medicinal plant with many properties

Senna (Senna alexandrina) is a medicinal plant cultivated in Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan and India

which is known, above all, for its powerful laxative effects. This plant falls into the category of stimulant laxatives, since it acts directly on the intestinal mucosa, increasing the peristaltic movements of the colon.

It has also been linked to improving the symptoms of hemorrhoids, in addition to being used by some people to lose weight more easily.

Despite its benefits, the plant, which is marketed in herbalists and pharmacies in both leaves and tablets without the need for prescription, it can present some undesirable effects, and it is that, although it is a natural remedy, it is not without problems for Health.

Preparation of the infusion

The infusion of senna leaves is not something too complicated, however, It is necessary to take into account some precautions to avoid that the infusion becomes something unpleasant and harmful to health.

In herbalists you can find preparations of this plant, along with others such as ginger, mint or fennel to make the infusion more palatable, since the senna plant is quite bitter.

The infusion can be prepared with 1 or 2 grams of senna leaves for every 250 ml of water. Place the senna leaf in a container, such as a pot, a cup or a saucepan, add the hot water and wait about 5 minutes for the liquid to soak up the plant nutrients. It is advisable not to add boiling water, since in this case the infusion will become too irritating.

Main uses and indications

The main components of senna are sennosides. The infusion of this plant has been shown as a powerful short-term laxative and this is its main use. For the senna leaf infusion to be as effective as possible, it is recommended to drink it before going to sleep, as it will facilitate egestion the next morning. The RDA for senna leaves is between 0.5 and 2 grams.

Thanks to the fact that it helps to alleviate the effects of constipation, facilitating the elimination of feces, It also allows to heal injuries in the rectum such as hemorrhoids. For this purpose, it can be consumed by people over 2 years of age, although it is recommended that children between 2 and 15 years of age take other treatments, such as mineral oil and lactulose.

This plant is diuretic, which helps to purify the body and reduces fluid retention. It has also been associated with an improvement in the musculature of the urinary system, facilitating the expulsion of urine.

Senna is believed to be a likely effective treatment for bowel prep before colonoscopy, as are castor oil and bisacodyl. However, research has yet to clarify whether senna leaves are the most effective component for this. purpose or if other substances such as polyethylene glycol or sodium phosphate are more effective in cleaning the bowels.

Side effects

The abusive consumption of this plant can generate a situation of dependence on laxatives. This contributes to the intestine not working autonomously, becoming "lazy".

Most of the side effects of this plant are due to an overdose and its consumption over time. Consuming amounts greater than 3 grams of senna leaf daily can be toxic.

Due to its laxative effects, the main symptoms that this plant can cause are of the gastrointestinal type, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loose stools, severe cramps, in addition to decreased vitamin K, bleeding, lack of potassium, decreased hemoglobin, hypocalcaemia, hypokalaemia, intestinal malabsorption, dehydration, increased menstrual flow, liver damage and, in the most severe cases, eat.

Contraindications

Although it is a natural remedy, keep in mind that senna leaf is not suitable for all types of people.

Below are the cases in which the consumption of this plant is not recommended, both in infusion format and in tablets.

1. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Senna plant stimulates smooth muscles, something that could cause premature contractions and even abortion.

While breastfeeding, taking senna leaf is not recommended since the laxative substances present in this plant could reach the baby through breast milk, causing digestive problems in the neonate.

2. Hypersensitivity to senna

People who have allergies to the plant should not consume any derivative Of the same.

In case of taking an infusion or a senna leaf tablet for the first time, it is recommended to do it gradually, taking a small amount to see what effects may occur.

In this way, it is possible to know if there is any type of hypersensitivity to any compound of the plant, such as swelling of the lips, breathing problems or any other type of response immunological.

3. Digestive problems

Given its laxative action, people who suffer from a digestive problem such as diarrhea or Crohn's disease should avoid consumption as much as possible. by Senna alexandrina.

The plant is recommended only in cases where there is constipation not due to a serious illness. In case the person suffers from a serious medical condition, it is appropriate to consult a doctor before resorting to natural treatments.

4. Slim down

There are many people who consider that if they eat a copious meal, to avoid gaining weight or accelerating the results of diets focused on losing weight, consuming laxatives will prevent the absorption of certain nutrients such as fats.

This is simply not true. The consumption of laxatives does not prevent the absorption of the components present in food and, if so, it does so in a very reduced way.

Senna leaf is not an easy weight loss remedy. Its abusive consumption can negatively affect the metabolism, for this reason it should not be used in order to lose weight.

There are other surprising natural remedies that have been shown to be effective in achieving this, such as they are exercising or eating a varied and healthy diet in which vegetables and fruit.

5. Long-term consumption

Although it has been shown to be an effective short-term remedy for treating constipation, it is not recommended to exceed two weeks of consumption of this plant, since in the long run it can adversely affect the liver, intestines and even the heart.

Ideally, take senna leaf infusions or tablets occasionally. If you suffer from daily constipation, you should not consume this plant to solve it. It is advisable to go to a professional.

Interactions with other herbs and medications

The senna plant leaf can have a particularly negative impact on the body in case the person who is consuming it is also taking other natural remedies or drugs. No interactions have been found between senna herb and food.

Some of the compounds with which this plant interacts and the adverse effects that are generated are the following.

1. Diuretic drugs and laxative herbs

Since senna is a laxative plant, combining it with other compounds that have the same function or that contribute to more frequent urination enhances this effect.

Laxatives and diuretics contribute to a decrease in potassium in the body.

2. Estrogens

Some hormone replacement treatments use estrogens. The senna plant reduces the amount of these hormones in the body, which makes hormone replacement treatments reduce their therapeutic effects.

3. Contraceptive pills

Estradiol is an estrogen present in some contraceptives. Considering that senna lowers estrogen levels in the body, it also reduces the effectiveness of birth control treatments.

4. Digoxin

Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a drug used to treat heart problems. This drug may interact with senna, since the side effects of digoxin are increased if there is a decrease in potassium in the body.

Bibliographic references:

• Cogley K, Echevarria A, Correa C, De la Torre-Mondragón L. (2017) Contact Burn with Blister Formation in Children Treated with Sennosides. Pediatr Dermatol; 34: 85-88.
• Irwin H.S. and Barneby R.C. (1982). The American Cassiinae: A synoptical revision of Leguminosae tribe Cassieae subtribe Cassiinae in the New World. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden, 35, 1–119.
• Izzy, M., Malieckal, A, Little, E. and Anand, S. (2016). Review of efficacy and safety of laxatives use in geriatrics. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics 7 (2), 334–342
• Leung, L., Riutta, T., Kotecha, J. and Rosser, W. (2011). Chronic constipation: An evidence-based review. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 24 (4), 436–451.
• Vilanova-Sanchez A, Gasior AC, Toocheck N, et al (2018). Are Senna based laxatives safe when used as long term treatment for constipation in children? J Pediatr Surg; 53: 722-7.