Senna is an herb that is widely used to relieve constipation and empty the bowel before a number of medical procedures. The fruit and the leaf are both used, and marketed in either pill or tea form.
It is often touted as a weight-loss aid and included in many teas, though this claim lacks significant research.
If you’re seeking immediate constipation relief in Australia, your local pharmacy is sure to carry over-the-counter senna pills or tea.
What is Senna?
Senna is an herb that is derived from over 200 species of Cassia plants. Flowers, fruits, and leaves of the senna plant all have applicable uses as a stimulant or laxative going back hundreds of years.
The most common species of the Cassia plants that are used as laxatives or for constipation relief are the C. acutifolia and C. angustifolia plants. These come from India and the Middle East. Senna is also cultivated in the Americas and Africa, though in lesser quantities.
How Does Senna Work?
Senna glycosides (sennosides) are the main active compounds that are found in the senna plant. These are not able to be absorbed during digestion. Instead, your gut bacteria break them down, which causes a slight irritation in the colon cells. This, in turn, stimulates the movement of your intestines to produce a laxative effect.
Senna Uses
Senna is primarily used as a laxative and for constipation relief. Thanks to its stimulative laxative effect, some medical professionals recommend senna pills or senna tea during preparation for a colonoscopy. It usually takes between 6-12 hours for senna to cause a bowel movement.
Some individuals may use senna pills or tea to ease the pain associated with haemorrhoids as well. However, the use of senna for relief of haemorrhoid symptoms does not have sufficient research to provide a definitive answer as to its efficacy.
Over the past two decades or so, senna has been increasingly touted as a metabolism booster and weight loss aid. There are teas on the market that contain senna which are often called ‘skinny teas’. However, there is minimal research and no scientific evidence that supports the use of senna for weight loss.
Is Senna Safe?
Mild side effects of senna include stomach cramps, discomfort, and diarrhoea.
While senna is safe when used as directed, there can be risks and complications associated with misuse. Senna is safe for short-term use (less than one week) and in small doses (below 34mg of sennosides twice per day).
Exceeding these recommendations may cause normal bowel functioning to slow or stop completely, resulting in laxative dependence. Long-term use of senna may also lead to liver damage.
It is crucial to ingest enough water and electrolytes (including Gatorade and Pedialyte) while using senna as a laxative or for constipation relief. This prevents excessive fluid loss, particularly if you have diarrhoea.
Senna can also interact with certain medications. Contact your healthcare provider to be sure.
How to Take Senna
Senna can be ingested either as a tea or, more commonly, as an ingredient in a supplement used for constipation relief or laxative. The fruit is generally more gentle than the leaves, so the supplements using fruit may be a better option.
Takeaway
Senna is an effective option as an active ingredient in supplements for laxatives and constipation relief. Be sure to use senna supplements and teas as directed, and drink plenty of fluids.