What are the medicinal values ​​of senna leaves?

I believe many people are unfamiliar with what senna is. Senna leaves are the leaflets of the leguminous plants Senna angustifolia or Senna acuminate. Pick the leaves on a sunny day during the peak growth period. Spread them out in the sun when collected and turn them over frequently. Do not pile them too thickly when drying to avoid the leaves turning yellow. Dry them in the sun until dry. Or dry at 40-50℃. So what can senna be used for and what are its medicinal values? Let’s learn about it together.

1. The hemostatic effect is effective for gastric and duodenal bleeding. Use the aqueous extract of this product to spray on the bleeding area of ​​the stomach under a gastroscope, and direct observation will show an immediate hemostatic effect. Intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg senna glycosides can significantly shorten the bleeding time of mice. Oral administration of senna leaves can increase the platelet count and fibrinogen content, and shorten the coagulation time, thromboplastin time, plasma recalcification time, and clot contraction time. In addition, the protective effect of this product on gastric mucosal damage in rats induced by hydrochloric acid and indomethacin is also beneficial for the prevention and treatment of gastric and duodenal bleeding.

2. Antibacterial effect: Senna leaf extract has inhibitory effects on many bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Proteus, Shigella dysenteriae, Group A Streptococcus, Candida albicans and certain pathogenic skin fungi.

3. Intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg sennoside can restore the reduced intestinal mucosal histamine content to normal levels. It can block the transmission of impulses at the neuromuscular junction, prevent the binding of acetylcholine to M receptors, and relax muscles.

4. Toxicity The toxicity of senna glycosides after intraperitoneal injection into mice.

How to buy senna leaves

Narrow-leaved senna: oblong or ovate-lanceolate, 1.5-5cm long, 0.4-2cm wide, entire margin, acute leaf apex, slightly asymmetrical leaf base. The upper surface is yellow-green, the lower surface is light yellow-green, glabrous or nearly glabrous, and the veins are slightly raised. Leathery. The smell is faint and unique, the taste is slightly bitter and slightly sticky.

Pointed-leaf senna: lanceolate or oblong, slightly curled, with short pointed or slightly convex leaf tips, asymmetrical leaf bases, and fine short hairs on both sides.

[Note] The dosage should not be too large, otherwise it will cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Generally, it can be used together with Chinese medicines such as costus root and patchouli to promote qi circulation to reduce this disadvantage. It should be used with caution in pregnant women and diabetic patients, and is contraindicated in patients with complete intestinal obstruction.

The above describes the medicinal value of senna leaves. Although senna leaves have many good effects, long-term use will weaken gastrointestinal motility, making defecation more difficult, aggravating constipation, and making it impossible to defecate normally after stopping the drug. Therefore, you should not use it rashly. It is recommended to consult an old Chinese medicine practitioner on the usage and dosage before using it. I wish you good health.