Senna Leaf

A small leguminous shrub of the Fabaceae, harvested for its paired leaflets and, less commonly, its pods.

Senna entered the written record through ninth-century Arabic physicians and passed into European practice through the Salerno school. It has been used as a short-term preparation for regularity for over a millennium.

Sennosides are among the most thoroughly characterised plant compounds in the regulatory literature, with monographs published by several public health bodies. Their local action in the lower digestive tract is well described.

Established human evidence, supported by regulatory monographs. Intended for occasional, short-term use only.

Sennosides are converted by colonic microflora into active anthraquinone metabolites that act locally on the bowel wall.

• Anthraquinone activityCompounds studied for their local action in the lower digestive tract.

• Sennoside A
• Sennoside B
• Anthraquinone glycosides

For occasional, short-term use only. Do not use for more than one week without professional guidance. Discontinue if discomfort occurs.

Contraindications

Intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel conditions, abdominal pain of unknown origin, dehydration.

Drug interactions

May affect the absorption of concurrently taken oral medication; separate doses by several hours.

Pregnancy

Not for use during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Not for use while nursing.

• Pregnancy and nursing. Not intended for use during pregnancy or while nursing. Speak with your healthcare provider.
• Medication interaction. If you take prescription medication, speak with your healthcare provider before use.
• Short-term use only. Intended for occasional, short-term use as directed on the label.

1. 01 Senna leaf: assessment report on Senna alexandrina. European Medicines Agency, EMA Herbal Monograph, 2018 — Government Resource

• How we grade evidence in this libraryTraditional, preclinical, emerging human, established human — four descriptions, used consistently.