Herbs & Botanicals

Product Description

Botanical Name: Senna alexandrina (formerly Cassia angustifolia)

Plant Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)

Botanical Description:
Senna alexandrina, commonly known as senna, is a flowering plant native to North Africa and the Middle East. It is a small shrub or subshrub that typically grows up to 1 meter in height. The plant features slender, erect stems with alternately arranged, lanceolate leaves that are typically dark green in colour. Senna produces clusters of bright yellow flowers with five petals, which bloom in summer and are followed by elongated, pod-like fruits containing the plant's seeds. Senna pods are narrow, elongated, and slightly curved, with a characteristic dark brown colour when ripe. The pods contain numerous small seeds embedded within a fibrous pulp.

Introduction:
Senna has been historically used for centuries in traditional herbal medicines across the globe as a natural laxative.

Preparations:
Infusion: Prepare a senna infusion by steeping crushed senna pods in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Senna tea has been typically consumed before bedtime to allow for overnight relief.
Powder: Dried senna pods can be crushed into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or grinder. The powder is mixed with water or juice.