Some important information:

Latin name: Cassia Angustifolia

Botanical family: Caesalpiniaceae or Fabaceae

Origin and history of Séné:

Also known as Senna Alexandrina, senna is a plant native to Somalia and Yemen.

It grows wild in many parts of the world, including Africa, India and the Middle East. A member of the Fabaceae family, senna grows as a spreading bush up to 2 meters high.

Its stems are erect, whitish, woody and branched. Senna leaves have 3 to 6 leaflets. They are small, thick and oval to lanceolate. When rubbed, the leaves give off a pleasant smell of peanuts.

Between June and September, senna produces magnificent flowers, easily recognized by their yellow color and 5 petals. Approximately 3 cm tall, these flowers generally grow in clusters. It is these flowers that give rise to the plant’s fruit.

Fruits take the form of flat, slightly curved, membranous pods. Greenish when fresh, they turn brown when ripe.

Opening into 2 valves, these pods contain small partitions in which senna seeds nestle. Unlike the seeds of other shrubs, senna seeds are not edible. There are up to 10 small seeds per fruit.

Generally speaking, senna is not too demanding a plant. All it needs is well-drained soil, neither too rich nor too deep. Whether grown in pots or solid ground, senna is ideally placed in a sunny spot. However, it is essential that the plant is well protected from cold winds.

What are the benefits of senna in phytotherapy?

In phytotherapy, senna is especially recommended for slow intestinal transit. The plant’s active ingredients act synergistically to regulate transit and promote elimination. These active compounds are mainly found in the pods and leaves of the senna plant. These active ingredients include resins, acid mucilages and flavonoids. These leaves and pods are the only parts of the plant used in herbal medicine. They are carefully harvested and then dried before being transformed into powder. Today, senna leaf and pod extracts are available in a variety of formats for easy consumption. Depending on needs and desires, they can be taken in capsule or tablet form. Senna herbal teas are also available in specialized stores. Unlike other herbal teas, senna is known to be rather bitter. To sweeten them, we recommend adding a teaspoon of honey. Whether you opt for capsules, tablets or herbal teas, senna extracts should always be taken as part of a course of treatment. This can last from a few days to several weeks.

The dangers of using senna:

Some people tend to use senna with the aim of losing weight. While senna’s laxative action enables rapid weight loss, this plant can become very dangerous if used excessively!

Why? Because senna can :

• create a dependency on laxatives

• lead to body dehydration

• create intestinal disorders such as chronic diarrhea

• generates electrolyte imbalances

Senna is therefore a plant to be used occasionally and with caution.

Excessive use of senna leaves can upset the body’s water balance, by increasing the frequency of bowel movements.

Excessive water and mineral loss can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue and heart irregularities.

In all cases, it is advisable to scrupulously respect the consumption indications and dosages given on the product sheets. It is also highly recommended to always seek the advice of a professional phytotherapist to benefit from his or her sound advice. It’s also a good idea to adopt a healthy lifestyle throughout the cure. Your diet should be as balanced and varied as possible.

For maximum security, it’s best to buy your dietary supplements exclusively from a reliable sales site dedicated to herbal medicine. You’ll benefit from a number of advantages, including secure online payment and prompt delivery. If you wish, you can also benefit from expert advice from seasoned phytotherapy professionals. Our recommendations are more targeted and better adapted to your needs.