Senna benefits and side effects

Senna has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) as an over-the-counter laxative, including in conditions like constipation in children aged two and above.

A stimulant laxative, Senna works by increasing gut motility—the squeezing action of the intestines to move food and waste along, known as peristalsis—and water secretion into the intestinal tract for easier passage of stools. The leaves and flowers of the plant contain phytochemicals known as sennosides which are responsible for this action.

Because Senna can clear the bowel, it may sometimes be used along with other agents like sodium picosulfate and polyethylene glycol ahead of a colonoscopy (a diagnostic test in which the doctor uses a catheter and small camera to see inside the large intestine or colon).

Some Ayurvedic remedies for hernia also contain senna, to promote proper evacuation of the bowels, for a senna bowel cleanse.

Remember that long-term use of Senna—especially in higher doses—has side effects. Talk to your doctor about the proper dosage and usage for you, if you want to use Senna.

A small double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 93% female participants found that Senna extract was as good as magnesium oxide for the treatment of chronic constipation. Additionally, senna extract and magnesium oxide both helped in achieving complete spontaneous bowel movement (or satisfactory and easy bowel movement) and better quality of life for patients, according to this study.

Whereas an animal study has shown that a methanol extract of Cassia angustifolia may reduce oxidative stress on the liver, increase the amount of good cholesterol (HDL), reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and even prevent lesions on the liver, other researchers have found that long-term use of senna tea may cause liver damage.

Having said that, a variety of senna, called Cassia occidentalis, is one of the ingredients in a popular Ayurvedic medicine for liver diseases like liver cirrhosis caused by alcoholism.

If you are considering taking senna for liver health, consult your doctor first and make sure to ask about the correct dosage for you.

Research shows that the seeds of Senna tora plant can make anthraquinones. And anthraquinones have been found to be helpful in the treatment of:

• Viral infections like hepatitis B—anthraquinones are said to disrupt the production of an enzyme that is important for the replication (and, therefore, survival) of the virus.
• Herpes infection: Further, research has shown that antiviral properties of anthraquinones could be used in the treatment of herpes infections including cold sores and genital herpes.
• Cervical cancer: 70% of all cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 or HPV 18 infection. Research has shown that senna may be useful against these viruses, too. More research needs to be done to confirm this benefit in humans, though.
• Drug-resistant infections: The researchers are also hopeful that this plant chemical could be useful in the treatment of certain drug-resistant infections.
• Fungal infections: Research has also shown that anthraquinones can fight common fungal infections caused by C. Albicans fungus.
• Bacterial infections: According to research published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Cassia angustifolia (Indian Senna) extracts “have the potential to inhibit microbial growth of E. cloacae, P. aeruginosa, S. mercescens and S. typhi.” These are the bacteria that can cause:
  • E. cloacae: Urinary tract infections and respiratory infections
  • P. aeruginosa: Pseudomonas infection (a major risk factor for pneumonia)
  • S. marcescens: Respiratory infections, endocarditis (heart), osteomyelitis (bone infection), septicemia (blood infection), wound infections, eye infections and meningitis (infection in the meninges layer of the brain).  
  • S. typhi: Typhoid fever

Scientists found three types of flavonoids in Indian senna or Cassia angustifolia which may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. These flavonoids (plant chemicals with strong antioxidant properties) are:

• Quercimeritrin
• Scutellarein
• Rutin

Senna is one of many herbs used for weight loss in traditional Chinese medicine. According to one study, these herbs work by inhibiting fatty acid synthase. However, this study was done with animals in a lab. Talk to your doctor before taking Senna for weight loss or detox.

Are you also troubled by obesity and are not able to lose weight even after a lot of efforts, then start using myUpchar Ayurveda Medarodh Weight Control Tablet today and control your weight.