Senna 4:1

History and Uses:
Senna is also known by the names Alexandrian Senna and Rajavriksha. Cassia senna is native to tropical Africa, and is cultivated in Egypt and the Sudan; Cassia angustifolia is native to India, and is cultivated mainly in India and Pakistan. The parts of this plant used medicinally are the leaves and the pods. The leaves have a purging quality, but afterwards may have a binding effect. Both the leaves and pods are used in many over-the-counter pharmaceutical laxative preparations. People in northern Africa and southwestern Asia have used Senna as a natural 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; acne and ringworm were both treated in this way. Senna is a powerful cathartic used primarily in the treatment of constipation, working through a stimulation of intestinal peristalsis. The primary chemical constituents of Senna include anthraquinone glycosides (sennosides, aloe-emodin, rhein), beta-sitosterol, flavones, tartaric acid, mucin, essential oil, mucilage, tannin and resin. The sennosides are irritating to the large intestine lining, causing peristaltic action and bowel evacuation. It also helps to temporarily prevent fluid from being absorbed from the large intestine, thus contributing to softer stools. Senna is often combined with aromatic, carminative herbs such as Cardamom, Ginger Root, Peppermint and Fennel to increase its palatability. Other historical applications of this herb have included support for inflammatory skin conditions, hypertension and weight control.