Senna herb
Senna is one of the plants mentioned in the Prophet’s Hadiths. A flowering plant that grows in the tropical and non-tropical regions of the world except Europe. These are Cassia plants, which include shrubs, shrubs, and grasses. They are perennial plants with feathery leaves formed from pairs, characterized by yellow flowers, and sometimes white or floral at the end of the branches on existing clusters, which is used for the treatment of constipation for centuries, as it is effective in the treatment of constipation, which results from many reasons, such as surgery and some side effects of drugs, and senna plant because of the content of the compound Sennosides, which cause irritation in the lining of the intestine, causing laxative effects.
Benefits of herb
The most important benefits of the herb Senna:
- The treatment of constipation is considered to be a melanin approved by the Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter sales. The fruits of the Senna are more gentle than leaves. Therefore, the American Association of Herbal Products warns against using paper for long periods. Made from leaves, and should not be used laxatives for more than a week to two weeks without consulting your doctor.
- Preparation of the digestive system for colonoscopy.
- Sena can have some effects, but needs more scientific research to evaluate them, such as treating hemorrhoids, nervous colon, and weight loss.
- Sena is used in Indian medicine to treat constipation, liver disease, yolk, swollen spleen, anemia, and typhoid fever, but these popular uses have not been scientifically proven (except for constipation therapy).
Ways to Use Senna
There are many pharmaceutical products that must comply with the instructions of use mentioned above. The following doses have been identified in scientific research:
- Treatment of constipation in adults and children older than 12 years: 17.2 mg, should not exceed 34.4 mg daily.
- Treatment of constipation in children: 8.5 mg daily.
- Treatment of constipation in elderly: 17.5 mg daily.
It can also be made from hot water (not boiled) over 0.5 g to 2 g of sena and soak for 10 minutes and then filtered, and can be soaked in cold water for 10 – 12 hours and then filtered, where some researchers say that soak Senna in cold water reduces the concentration of Resin, which causes abdominal pain. Sena should be stored away from light, where it can be stored for up to three years.
Side effects of senna
Oral consumption of short-term oral medications is safe if taken at the right dosage. Side effects such as stomach pain, cramps, and diarrhea can occur. Prolonged or high-dose oral intake is not safe and can affect normal bowel function. Prolonged dependence on laxatives causes long-term use of the electrolytes in the blood, which can cause disturbances in the functioning of the heart, muscle weakness, liver damage, etc., such as finger tingling, colonic tissue, colon irritation, allergies , and damage the intestinal nerves.
Caution should be taken when using sena in the following cases:
- Pregnancy and Lactation: Use of Senna during pregnancy and lactation should be avoided.
- Electrolytes and Potassium Disorders: Use of Senna increases the incidence of these conditions.
- Drought and diarrhea: Use of sena should be avoided in droughts and diarrhea because it makes it worse.
- Children: Senna should not be given to children less than two years. Care should be taken to follow the correct doses accurately in children aged 2 to 12 years.
- Seniors: When senna is used for seniors, it should start at half the doses that are usually prescribed.
- Some conditions of the digestive system: Avoid the use of sena in the cases of abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, stomach irritation, hemorrhoids, and anal landing.
Drug interactions
Eating Senna may interfere with some medications, the most important of which are:
- Sena works to reduce potassium levels in the body. This affects some medications, such as raising the side effects of digoxin, stimulating arrhythmias in people taking antiarrythmics, and severe potassium depletion in people taking some diuretics.
- Warfarin: may cause diarrhea, which may increase the action of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.
- Estrogen: The treatment of senna affects the absorption of estrogen in the intestine, which reduces its level in the body.
- Indomethacin: This drug reduces the effect of senna.
- Nifedipine: This drug can reduce the effect of senna.
Note : This article is not a medical reference, as the goal of the article is to disseminate information, it does not dispense with consulting the doctor.