Senna Leaves(Cassia Angustifolia) is native to tropical Africa and cultivated in Egypt and the Sudan and elsewhere; Cassia angustifolia is native to India and cultivated mainly in India and Pakistan.

Senna has been used in connection Constipation. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use.

A small shrub, about 1 m in height with pale subterete or obtusely angled erect or ascending branches. Leaves usually 5-8 jugate, leaflets oval, lanceolate, glabrous. Racemes axillary erect, waxy many-flowered, usually considerably exceeding the subtending leaf. Bracts membranous, ovate or obovate, caducous. Sepals obtuse, cuncate compressed, cotyledons plane. The pods are 1.4 to 2.8 in long, about 0.8 in wide, greenish brown to dark brown in colour and contain 5-7 obovate dark brown and nearly smooth seeds.

People in northern Africa and southwestern Asia have used senna as a laxative for centuries. It was considered a "cleansing" herb because of its cathartic effect. In addition, the leaves were sometimes made into a paste and applied to various skin diseases. Ringworm and acne were both treated in this way.

Active constituents:
Senna contains hydroxyanthracene glycosides known as sennosides. These glycosides stimulate colon activity and thus have a laxative effect. Also, these glycosides increase fluid secretion by the colon, with the effect of softening the stool and increasing its bulk.1 Double-blind trials have confirmed the benefit of senna in treating constipation.2 3 Constipation induced by drugs such as the anti-diarrhea medicine loperamide (Imodium®) has also been shown to be improved by senna in a clinical trial.

Ayurvedic Applications:
Indications: constipation, inflammatory skin conditions, hypertension, obesity Senna is a strong purgative that should be taken with care and in proper dosage.

Senna is mainly for severe constipation, the constipation following a fever or for clearing Pitta from the small intestines.

Combinations:
It is best to combine Senna with aromatic, carminative herbs to increase palatability and reduce griping, for instance by using Cardamon, Ginger or Fennel.

Continue use beyond ten days is discouraged. If constipation is not alleviated within ten days, people should seek the help of a healthcare professional.

Characteristics and Constituents :
Leaves contain glycosides, sennoside A, sennoside B, sennoside C and sennoside D. Two naphthalene glycosides have been isolated frofn leaves and pods. Senna also contains the yellow flavonol colouring matter kaempferol, its glucoside kaempferin and isorhamnetin.

Actions and Uses :
Maximum cathartic action was seen in rats with 80 mg/kg in eight hours - due to direct stimulant activity and water and electrolyte secretions. Senna extract introduced into the lumen of the bowel through colostomy had no effect on the motility, though the same extract introduced with faeces or a culture of Escherichia coli stimulated peristalsis. Sublaxative doses of standardised senna fruit showed spasmolytic activity. Effective dose of piperazine for the treatment of threadworms and roundworms was substantially reduced by the addition of extract of senna. Water extract was found effective against Trichophyton purpurceum. Leaves and pods are used traditionally as purgatives, Topical use of the leaves for dermatosis is also not uncommon. Laxative effect of standardized senna fruit granules was compared with liquid paraffin or a mixture of liquid paraffin and magnesium hydroxide in fifty nursing mothers. Senna was more effective than the control treatment in overcoming puerpural constipation while the bowel habits of infants were not affected.