Senna leaf: 12 benefits and properties of this plant for health

Infusions with senna leaves are widely used as laxatives. Although this is its most frequent and popular use, the truth is that the senna leaf has multiple benefits and health properties.

However, it must be borne in mind that this plant can be very effective, but it can also cause damage if precautions are not taken. It is necessary to know that it is contraindicated in pregnant people and during lactation, and that its use should not be abused.

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Senna leaf is more than an infusion against constipation

Although its properties are not well known, senna leaf has other benefits. Almost all the functions of this plant are related to the digestive system, so not all people may be suitable for taking it.

If there are previous or chronic digestive problems, it is best not to consume it and consult your family doctor. It is also important to remember that the fact that it is a laxative does not imply that it is indicated for weight loss treatments.

So let's see the benefits and properties of senna leaf, which go beyond their laxative effect.

1. Laxative

We start with the most well-known and already discussed benefit. The best known function of senna leaf is as a laxative. And it is that its efficiency for this is practically immediate. In ancient medicine and herbalism, senna leaf is recommended for extreme episodes of constipation.

Because of this many people believe that it is efficient to lose weight, this is not true. What happens is that several intakes of this senna leaf can completely empty the intestine of fecal matter, and this causes a reduction in weight, but it is only momentary.

2. Prevent hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can appear if there is severe constipation. One of the consequences of suffering from continuous or long-term constipation is the appearance of hemorrhoids. This is due to the blood pressure in the area.

For this reason, taking some light doses of senna leaf prevents hemorrhoids, as this plant allows them to feces come out more easily, reducing the pressure that exists in the anus.

3. Diuretic

Senna leaf also works as a natural diuretic. Due to its effects on the body, this plant taken as an infusion helps the body to dispose of the fluids that accumulate in the body more easily.

In addition, taking senna leaf helps to tone the muscles of the urinary tract. Therefore, in addition to cleaning the body by expelling toxins through urine, it favors the retention of urine.

4. Detoxifying

Due to its diuretic and laxative properties, senna leaf is an excellent detoxifier. In addition to being used to relieve constipation, this plant is ingested as an infusion to detoxify the body in general.

Remember that the body has various ways of eliminating toxins. Either through feces, urine and bile production. The senna leaf favors the improvement of these processes allowing a general detoxification of the body.

5. Prevents the appearance of gallstones

Senna leaf is an efficient cholagogue. Cholagogues are substances that allow the expulsion of the bile contained in the gallbladder. The senna leaf has, among its properties, this benefit for the body.

By freeing the gallbladder of excess bile, the possibility of suffering from stones drastically decreases gallstones, which in addition to being very painful negatively affect the detoxifying capacity of this organ.

6. Auxiliary against irritable bowel

Some treatments against irritable bowel include the senna leaf. As already mentioned, the main function of senna leaf is as a powerful and efficient natural laxative. So in treatments against irritable bowel it can be of great help.

However, it must be remembered that it may be contraindicated for sensitive people or people with digestive problems, therefore that you should not self-medicate, it is better to go to a herbalist to find out if senna leaf can be used for this purpose.

7. Combat swelling due to fluid retention

Heat or other factors cause the body to swell from fluid retention. However this is not something to be overlooked, the body should not have excess fluids for too long.

For this reason it is recommended to take senna leaf to enjoy its diuretic effect. An infusion of this plant helps the body to discard this excess water, and as a consequence, the swelling that regularly occurs in the extremities is relieved.

8. Strengthens the gallbladder

Senna leaf helps strengthen the gallbladder. Being a cholagogue, the senna leaf not only exerts the function of removing excess bile from the gallbladder, but also manages to strengthen it so that it functions optimally.

For this reason, senna leaf works as a very effective detoxifier. As long as its consumption is kept at a moderate level, this leaf can help rid the body of toxins that accumulate naturally.

9. Eliminate intestinal parasites

Intestinal parasites cause digestive problems. The general recommendation of doctors is that humans take some deworming medicine to clean the intestines.

Senna leaf is a natural alternative to rid the body of intestinal parasites. Anyway, it is necessary to be careful in its intake and not to use it in children. In the case of adults, a single intake of concentrated senna leaf infusion is enough to eliminate intestinal parasites.

10. Purifying

Purifying the body with a certain frequency helps us feel light and full of energy. Senna leaf is considered an efficient detoxifier and cleanser. In addition to eliminating the toxins it accumulates from the body, it also purifies it.

The diuretic, laxative and cholagogue function of this plant works perfectly to eliminate toxic compounds contained in some foods from the body. It helps to dispose of all this through feces and urine.

11. Improves the digestive system

By ridding the body of intestinal parasites, the digestive system improves. This is the reason why senna leaf has been recommended to aid in the treatment of irritable bowel, because it also improves the functioning of the intestines.

A treatment that includes several doses of senna leaf allows the intestine to be completely cleansed of all fecal matter. This allows the stomach and intestines to tone and strengthen by working better.

12. Helps the purifying function of the liver

Senna leaf is an aid in liver function. This organ is the great purifier of the body, so many other functions in the body depend on its proper functioning, hence the importance of keeping it healthy.

The consumption of the senna leaf helps to strengthen and tone the liver, and with this to fulfill its purifying function. However, it must be taken in moderation, as taking too much senna leaf could have the opposite effect and seriously damage the liver.

Bibliographic references

• Irwin HS, Barneby, R.C. (1982). The American Cassiinae: A synoptical revision of Leguminosae tribe Cassieae subtribe Casiinae in the New World, Part 1 (PDF). Bronx, N.Y.: New York Botanical Garden.

• Leung, L; Riutta, T; Kotecha, J; Rosser, W. (2011). "Chronic constipation: An evidence-based review". The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 24 (4): 436–51.

• Malaret, Augustus. (1970). Fauna and Flora Lexicon. Madrid: Permanent Commission of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language.

• Randell, B.R. & Barlow, B.A. (2017) "Senna". In: Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra.