Senna is a member of a large genus of tropical flowering plants. It has frequently been used in herbal medicine. Senna is the leaf or fruit (pod) of the plant Senna Alexandrina. Senna is also called Fletcher’s Castoria, Ex-lax, and SenokotIt as trade names. It has been employed as a laxative and stimulant in folk medicine. Many herbal teas used for weight loss and bowel movements contain senna.

Several properties of senna studied by multiple research teams make it potentially beneficial. Some of the beneficial properties of senna are:

It might have laxative properties

It can act as an anti-allergic agent 

It may have anti-inflammatory benefits

It might act as an antioxidant

It might work as an anti-bacterial

It can show antifungal activity

It might act as a painkiller

It might act as an antitumor agent.

Senna for diabetes mellitus:

It is established that oxidative stress can negatively affect the normal functioning of several body organs. Studies have also shown that oxidative stress may also be responsible for diseases like diabetes mellitus, which can increase the blood glucose level. The antioxidant properties of senna may be responsible for its anti-diabetic usage.

Senna against obesity:

The antioxidant activity of the senna may help to control obesity. The senna may help properly function the digesting enzyme in obese patients. It might exhibit anti-obesity benefits.

Senna for its anticancer activities:

The bioactive compounds in senna leaves are responsible for their potential health benefits. Senna might be responsible for their potential activity against cancer cells. It might lower lipid peroxidase levels and thus kill cancer cells. Further, it also restricts cancer cell spread.

Other potential uses of senna:

Senna might help heal different skin diseases and external body infections. 

Senna leaf powder might help to treat rheumatoid arthritis, abdominal worms, and gout, and you may use senna for constipation after consulting your doctor.

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

Senna can potentially cleanse and purify the blood. 

Senna might be helpful for hemorrhoids.

Side Effects of Senna:

Senna is safe for adults if taken in the recommended doses for a limited period. FDA approved Senna as a non-prescription medicine. However, it might cause side effects if taken at a higher dosage. Most side effects are related to senna’s laxative effect.

Some common side-effects of senna are as follows:

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

If taken in higher doses, Senna can cause normal bowel movements and laxative dependency. 

In children, ingesting senna in higher doses may cause nausea, vomiting, tremors, abnormal and violent behaviour, grimacing, self-mutilation, numbness and coma, elevated serum proteins, and bilirubin in the blood.

In India, senna is known by different names in various states:

Hindi: Senna

Tamil: Senna

Telugu: Senaa

Kannada: Senaa

Malayalam: Senna

Marathi: Senna

Gujarati: Senna

Bengali: Sena

Other Names: Sanaa, Swarnapatri, Sonmukhi, Sonamakhi, Sonamukki, Sunamukhi, Sunamuki, Sunamukhi, Sonapatti, Sanaypatti, Sunamukhi, sona, sonamukhi, Sanay, Sanah, Sonamukhi, Sena, Svarnpatri, Svarnapatri, Sanaya, Sana, Sana Makki, Sana Maki Sonna Mukhi, Seena, Sanamaki, Sonamaki, Swarnapatri, Sanai Fali, Cassia Aungustifolia, Sanamakki, Ponnavarai