Therapeutic Uses
Constipation – The most common application for senna tea is to stimulate bowel movements and alleviate constipation. The primary active compounds in senna leaves are known as senna glycosides, or sennosides. Sennosides cannot be absorbed in your digestive tract, but they can be broken down by your gut bacteria. This breakdown of sennosides mildly irritates the cells in your colon, an effect that stimulates intestinal movement and produces a laxative effect. Senna is an active ingredient in many popular over-the-counter laxative medications, such as Ex-Lax and Nature’s Remedy. For most people, it will stimulate a bowel movement within 6–12 hours.
Bowel preparation before colonoscopy – Taking senna by mouth is as effective as castor oil and bisocodyl for bowel preparation. Some evidence suggests that senna is also at least as effective as polyethylene glycol for bowel preparation. However, conflicting evidence exists. It is unclear if taking senna with polyethylene glycol is more effective than taking polyethylene glycol alone. Senna appears to be less effective than sodium phosphate for bowel cleansing. However, taking a combination of senna, sodium picosulfate, and polyethylene glycol appears to be more effective than sodium phosphate for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. Using a combination of senna, mannitol, saline solution, and simethicone, before imaging of the bowel with a special capsule that is swallowed, seems to be more effective than using the same regimen without the senna.
Hemorrhoids – Some people may also use senna tea to relieve discomfort associated with hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins and tissues in the lower rectum that can cause bleeding, pain, and itching. Chronic constipation is a major cause, and minor bouts of constipation can irritate preexisting hemorrhoids. However, senna’s efficacy for relieving hemorrhoid symptoms has not been thoroughly studied.
Medicinal Uses: * Constipation
Senna Leaf Side Effects: Senna tea is generally considered safe for most adults and children over age 12. Nonetheless, it comes with several risks and side effects. The most common side effects are stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. However, these symptoms are usually mild and tend to resolve relatively quickly. Some people also experience allergic reactions to senna. If you’ve ever had a reaction to a product that contains senna, you should avoid senna tea. Senna is meant to serve as a short-term constipation remedy. You shouldn’t use it for more than 7 consecutive days unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. Long-term senna tea intake may lead to laxative dependence, electrolyte disturbances, and liver damage. If you have heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or liver disease, you should consult your healthcare provider prior to taking any senna product, as it may exacerbate these conditions. Senna is not generally recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Senna Leaf Drug Interactions: Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) – Ethinyl estradiol is a form of estrogen that’s in some birth control pills. Senna can decrease how much estradiol the body absorbs. Taking senna along with certain birth control pills might decrease their effectiveness. Digoxin (Lanoxin) – Senna is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin). Estrogens – Some pills used for hormone replacement therapy contain the chemical estrone. Senna can reduce the amount of estrone in the body. Other pills used for hormone replacement therapy contain the chemical ethinyl estradiol. Senna can decrease how much estradiol the body absorbs. Taking senna might decrease the effects of hormone replacement therapy. Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others. Warfarin (Coumadin) – Senna can work as a laxative. In some people, senna can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin, do not take excessive amounts of senna. Water pills (Diuretic drugs) – Senna is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. “Water pills” can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking senna along with “water pills” might decrease
