SENNA LEAF
Product No. P19098
Also known as Cassia Senna, Cassia angustifolia, Cassia officinalis, India Senna, Tinnevelly Senna and Egyptian Senna.
Senna is a small shrub with a peelable bark that grows in the upper Nile regions of Africa and the Arabian peninsula.
Several species of Cassia contribute to the drug of commerce, and were comprised in a single species by Linnaeus under the name of Cassia Senna. The two most widely exported and officially recognized are C. acutifolia and C. angustifolia (India or Tinnevelly Senna).
Senna is an Arabian name, and the drug was first brought into use over 3500 years ago by ancient physicians. According to a rare Egyptian medical papyrus, dating to the 16th century B.C., Senna was prescribed by the physicians for their distinguished patients. 9th century A.D. writings also describe how it was used extensively by Arabian physicians. In Europe,
Senna was introduced before the Crusades and has been widely used ever since, and the American Indians also employed the use of American Senna, a variety of the European species.
The purgative constituents of Senna are closely allied to those of Aloes and Rhubarb, the activities of the drug being largely due to anthraquinone derivatives and their glucosides. It contains rhein, aloe-emedin, kaempferol, isormamnetin, both free and as glucosides together with myricyl alcohol, etc.
The purgative action is chiefly on the lower bowel - it increases the peristaltic movements of the colon by its local action upon the intestinal wall. Used in this way, it tones and restores the digestive system as it thoroughly cleans it. The addition of cloves, ginger, cinnamon, or other aromatics are excellent correctives of the nauseous effects.
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