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

This medicinal plant can help us to improve our health.

Nature provides us with plants with therapeutic effects that are often preferred to drugs, which are seen as more extreme, invasive and artificial treatments.

Senna leaf is a plant whose use dates back to the Middle Ages.The senna leaf is a plant whose use dates back to the Middle Ages, a time when its properties as a laxative were already known.

• Recommended article: "The 50 best medicinal plants, their effects and contraindications".

What is senna leaf?

In recent years, this plant has been acquiring greater popularity.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 proven to be quite effective, the senna plant is not without controversy, since, at certain doses, it can be more harmful than beneficial to the body.

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

A medicinal plant with many properties

Senna alexandrina (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 related to the improvement of hemorrhoids symptoms, besides 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 prescription, may have some undesirable effects, and is that, although it is a natural remedy, it is not free of health problems.

Preparation of the infusion

The infusion of senna leaves is not too complicated, however, it is necessary to take into account some precautions to prevent 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 per 250 ml of water. Place the senna leaf in a container, such as a pot, a cup or a saucepan, add hot water and wait about 5 minutes for the liquid to be impregnated with the nutrients of the plant. It is advisable not to add boiling water, since in that case the infusion will become too irritating.

Main uses and indications

The main components of senna are the sennosides. The infusion of this plant has been shown to be a potent short-term laxative and this is its main use.. To be as effective as possible the infusion of senna leaf, it is recommended to drink it before going to bed, as it will facilitate eggestion the next morning. The recommended daily dose of senna leaves is between 0.5 and 2 grams.

Because it helps to alleviate the effects of constipation, facilitating the elimination of feces, it also helps to cure lesions in the rectum such as hemorrhoids. For this purpose, it can be consumed by people over 2 years old, although it is recommended that children between 2 and 15 years old 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 muscles of the urinary system, facilitating the expulsion of urine.

Senna is thought to be a likely effective treatment for bowel preparation prior to 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 whether other substances such as polyethylene glycol or sodium phosphate are more effective in cleansing the bowels.

Side effects

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

Most of the side effects of this plant are due to overdose and too long consumption over time. Daily consumption of more than 3 grams of senna leaf can be toxic.

Due to its laxative effects, the main symptoms that this plant can cause are of the gasterointestinal type, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loose stools, intense colic, as well as vitamin K depletion, bleeding, lack of potassium, decreased hemoglobin, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, intestinal malabsorption, dehydration, increased menstrual flow, liver damage and, in severe cases, coma.

Contraindications

Although it is a natural remedy, it should be noted that senna leaf is not suitable for all types of people..

The following are the cases in which the consumption of this plant is not recommended, both in the form of infusion and tablets.

1. Pregnancy and lactation

The senna plant stimulates the smooth musculature, which could lead to premature contractionsThis could lead to premature contractions and even miscarriage.

During lactation, it is not recommended to take senna leaf because the laxative substances present in this plant could reach the baby through breast milk, causing digestive problems in the newborn.

2. Hypersensitivity to senna

People who are allergic to the plant should not consume any derivative of it. of it.

In case of taking an infusion or a senna leaf tablet for the first time, it is recommended to do it gradually, ingesting 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, respiratory problems or any other type of immune response.

3. Digestive problems

Given its laxative action, people suffering from digestive problems such as diarrhea or Crohn's disease should avoid as much as possible the consumption of Senna alexandrina. of Senna alexandrina as much as possible.

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

4. To lose weight

There are many people who believe that if they take a large meal, to avoid gaining weight or to accelerate the results of diets focused on weight loss, 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 it does, it does so to a very small extent. and, if it does, it does so in a very reduced form.

Senna leaf is not an easy weight loss remedy. Its abusive consumption can have a negative impact on the metabolism, for this reason it should not be used with the purpose of losing weight.

There are other surprising natural remedies that have been shown to be effective for this purpose, such as exercising or eating a varied and healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits.

5. Long-term consumption

Although it has been shown to be an effective short-term remedy to treat constipation, it is not recommended to exceed two weeks of consumption of this plant, since in the long run it can affectIt is not recommended to consume it for more than two weeks, since in the long run it can have a detrimental effect on the liver, intestines and even the heart.

The ideal is to take infusions or tablets of senna leaf occasionally. If you suffer from daily constipation, this plant should not be consumed to solve it. It is advisable to consult a professional.

Interactions with other herbs and medications

The leaf of the senna plant can have a particularly negative effect on the organism 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

As 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 decreases the amount of these hormones in the body, which reduces the therapeutic effects of hormone replacement treatments.

3. Contraceptive tablets

Estradiol is an estrogen present in some contraceptives. Considering that senna decreases estrogen levels in the body, it also reduces the effectiveness of contraceptive 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. y 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. y 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. y 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.