Senna: Uses, Benefits, Side effects

You have likely been captivated by the sight of yellow Senna bloom landscaping highways or home gardens. Senna is one of many tropical flowering plants in the large genus. It is used frequently in herbal medicine. Senna is the fruit or leaf (pod) of the Senna Alexina plant. Senna can also be called Fletcher’s Castoria (Ex-lax), SenokotIt, and SenokotIt. It is used in folk medicine as a stimulant and laxative. Senna is a common ingredient in herbal teas that aid weight loss and improve bowel movements. 1 Let’s talk about the health benefits of Senna.

Nutritional Value for Senna:

Senna leaves can be eaten for their nutritional content. Below is a table listing the nutritional content of Senna leaves:

Property of Senna:

Senna has many properties that different research teams have studied. This makes it beneficial. Senna has the following functional properties:

It could have laxative properties.

It acts as an anti-allergic drug.

It could have anti-inflammatory properties.

It could be an antioxidant.

It could be used as an anti-bacterial.

It may also have antifungal properties.

It could be used as a painkiller.

It could be used as an anti-tumor agent.

It could have liver protective actions 4

Senna’s Potential Uses for Overall Health:

Senna can be beneficial under many conditions. These are some of the benefits and potential uses for Senna:

Senna can be used to treat infections.

Recent studies have shown that researchers are trying to find plant products to make drugs for the microbial disease. Senna is known for its antifungal properties, which may help fight fungal infections. It is also capable of fighting E. It also contains bacterial DNA. Studies by Kumar et al. 2013 have demonstrated that phenolic compounds in Senna can be used to combat microbial disease. These compounds were extracted from the plant and may act against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria-Staphylococcus aureus. They may also be effective against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus aureus, Rhizopus spinifera, Fusariumoxisporum, and Rhizopus stolonifera.4 However, more research is needed to confirm the benefits of Senna in treating such infections in humans. Consult your doctor if you have any infections.

Possible uses of Senna in diabetes mellitus

Studies have shown that oxidative stress can adversely affect many body organs’ everyday functioning and function. Studies also show that oxidative stress can also cause diseases such as diabetes mellitus. This can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. Senna’s antioxidant properties may also be responsible for its antidiabetic use. 4 However, there is not enough data to prove the benefits of Senna on blood sugar levels in humans. These benefits will need to be confirmed by more research.

Possible uses of Senna to combat obesity

Senna’s antioxidant activity may be able to help with obesity. Senna could help obese patients function correctly in their digesting enzymes. It may have anti-obesity properties. 4 We need to do further research to determine the effects of Senna on obesity conditions in humans.

Senna’s potential anticancer activities

Senna leaves contain bioactive compounds that are responsible for potential health benefits. Onyegeme Okerenta and colleagues. Two thousand seventeen studies have shown that the potential cancer-fighting properties of Senna may be due to bioactive compounds. It could lower levels of lipid peroxidase and kill cancer cells. It also reduces the spread of cancer cells. These studies do not prove that the herb has the same benefits for humans as the herb. 5

Additional uses for Senna

Senna may help treat skin conditions and other infections.

Senna leaf powder may treat gout, rheumatoid, and abdominal worms. You can also use it for constipation after consulting your doctor.

Senna leaves, or dried pods, are suitable for digestion.

Senna is a natural cleanser and purifier of blood.

4 Senna may be beneficial for hemorrhoids.

Although Senna has been shown to have benefits under various conditions, there need to be more studies to prove its actual benefits for human health.

How to Use Senna

Senna is safe for adults. Senna is safe for adults, but it should only be consumed by those over the age of 65. 2

Before taking any Senna supplement, you must consult a qualified physician. You should consult a qualified doctor before discontinuing or replacing any current treatment with ayurvedic/Senna medicine.

Side Effects Of Senna:

Senna can be taken safely by adults, provided it is used in the recommended dosages and for a short time. FDA has approved Senna for non-prescription use. It can cause side effects when taken in higher doses. Senna’s laxative effects are the most common cause of side effects. These are some of the most common side effects of Senna:

It can cause diarrhea, stomach electrolyte imbalance, discomfort, cramps, and diarrhea.

Senna may cause laxative dependence and regular bowel movements if taken in high doses.

Senna can cause nausea, vomiting, and tremor in children if taken in high doses.