Sen leaf: what is it and what properties does it have? Your 6 benefits

Medicinal plants are those that can be used to treat diseases and heal injuries. Their therapeutic action is possible thanks to the fact that they have a series of chemical substances, which are known as active ingredients.

The use of plants has been essential in traditional medicine, so its use has been present since prehistoric times. With advances in the field of pharmacology, specialized industries have been able to extract the active ingredients from nature to produce from them the medicines that today allow treating and curing diseases.

However, traditional medicine continues to be used on occasions, preparing the plants in various ways: infusions, poultices, cooking, etc. In pharmacies, many of them can be found in more convenient formats for consumption, such as capsules, creams or syrups.

A very popular medicinal plant is known as senna leaf. This comes from a bush known as cadecillo or bean, which belongs to the Fabaceae family.. Its best-known properties and benefits have to do with relieving upset stomach and constipation, but it has many more. In this article we are going to talk about the senna leaf, what uses it has, what side effects it can produce and how it can be prepared for consumption.

What is Sen leaf and what benefits does it have?

Senna leaf is a plant known for centuries for its effectiveness in treating intestinal problems, mainly constipation. This plant is cultivated in countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, India and Pakistan, although it is believed that its origin lies in South America. Although its role as a laxative substance is indisputable, all kinds of opinions have existed around this plant, since it is known that at certain doses it can be harmful to the body. Next, we are going to know its possible uses:

1. Laxative

This usage is the best known. Senna leaf is a laxative that works by stimulating the intestinal mucosa. Thus, it prevents the dreaded constipation by increasing the peristaltic movements of the intestine. It is not yet clear if senna leaf is a viable treatment option in children, as few studies have been conducted on it.

In adults, it is considered its consumption is only suitable for the short term, being a remedy for occasional constipation. The ideal is to prepare an infusion at bedtime, so that it takes effect during the night so that an evacuation occurs in the morning.

2. Hemorrhoids

An association has been established between the use of senna leaf and the improvement of hemorrhoids. Are are swollen veins found in the lower part of the rectum, and that usually appear as a result of constipation. This relationship has not been proven, but it has been proposed that, being an effective laxative, it may indirectly alleviate this problem.

3. Preparation before a colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is an exam that allows direct and complete visualization of the colon, whose purpose is to diagnose possible pathologies in the intestine. Before undergoing this test, patients must perform a bowel emptying, for which laxative drugs such as polyethylene glycol are usually provided. Surprisingly, a study showed that the consumption of Senna leaf had an identical effect to that of this medicine in those patients in preparation before undergoing a colonoscopy.

4. Weight loss

Sen leaf has also been linked to weight loss. Although it is true that its consumption contributes to weight loss, the truth is that the mechanism by which this is achieved is not fat burning, but the excretion of feces and water. Therefore, it is not at all a healthy weight loss method. In addition, said loss would in any case be temporary, so that when the consumption of this plant ceases, it would return to normal.

5. Liquid removal

As we have been commenting, the senna leaf is not a truly slimming plant, since it does not allow you to lose fat, but liquids. Therefore, it is a diuretic remedy that allows you to eliminate liquids and purify the body.

6. Improvement of the urinary system

Being diuretic, this plant stimulates the production of urine. For this reason, its consumption has been associated with an improvement in the muscles of the urinary system, favoring the expulsion of urine.

How to prepare a senna leaf infusion

Surely you have previously resorted to an infusion to relieve your discomfort. For example, chamomile for stomach pain or linden to relax. Herbal preparations allow relief of mild symptoms that do not require medical treatmentso it may be a good idea to have them at home to use them from time to time.

Although some may have a pleasant flavor, this is not the case with the senna leaf, as you must bear in mind that its flavor is rather bitter. For this reason, there are people who use sugar and sweeteners to sweeten or mix senna leaf with other herbs to achieve a more pleasant taste. Next, let's see how to prepare an infusion of this medicinal plant at home.

• First of all, you must get your ingredients. You will only need a cup of water, half a teaspoon of senna leaves and a sweetener if you do not like the bitter taste. You can use honey, sugar, saccharin...according to your preference.
• Next, you must put the water contained in the cup in a pot and heat over medium heat.
• Before the water starts to boil, add the senna leaves and turn off the heat.
• Let the infusion rest for 10 minutes and strain it.
• Sweeten the mixture with the product you have chosen.

The recommended daily amount is one or two 5 ml tablespoons. It is important not to exceed this amount and not to abuse the senna leaf (remember, it should only be used occasionally), since an excess can damage intestinal function. Ideally, you should drink your infusion before going to bed, since the preparation requires a few hours to take effect. In addition, this way you will be sure to have results when you wake up in the morning.

Senna Leaf Side Effects

As we have discussed, Sen leaf can be beneficial if used properly. Many people abuse it, believing that because it is a plant it will not have harmful effects. However, nothing is further from reality. That it is a natural remedy does not mean, at all, that it cannot cause health problems if its consumption is abused. Next, we are going to know the adverse effects that can be derived from an inappropriate use of this natural remedy, whether a very high dose is consumed or if a normal dose is taken too frequently.

The main consequence that derives from the abuse of senna leaf is that the intestine can see its functioning impaired. Many people who abuse these types of remedies can become dependent on laxatives to have a normal bowel movement, which can be a major health problem. Additionally, senna leaf can cause symptoms such as stomach aches and diarrhea. That is to say, the opposite situation can occur to the one that existed before its consumption, which is equally harmful.

Due to the effects it can cause on the body, it is essential to consult with your doctor about the suitability of this remedy in your particular case. In people with certain medical conditions, resorting to this remedy may be contraindicated. For example, people with intestinal obstruction, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, pregnant or lactating women or allergic to certain medications.

Similarly, it is essential to assess what may be happening if constipation occurs persistently and chronically. In many cases, the remedies work on occasion, but in ongoing problems it is essential to find the underlying cause. Resorting to these solutions only serves to put a patch on a problem that may require a specific treatment.

For this reason, in case of digestive discomfort it is important to visit a health professional to see if everything is okay. In case there are no pathologies, it is interesting to review the habits and lifestyle, since these are very closely related to digestive health. exercise regular physical exercise, eating a balanced diet or drinking at least 2 liters of water a day are some of the basic guidelines to follow to avoid problems such as constipation.

Conclusions

In this article we have talked about the senna leaf, a medicinal plant from South America known for its laxative effects on the body. This is used as a stimulating substance of the intestinal mucosa, since it manages to increase intestinal peristaltic movements, thus favoring evacuation.

However, senna leaf may have other purposes, as it is a diuretic substance that helps expel fluids and is also believed to relieve hemorrhoids. Although it is a natural remedy, it is not without possible side effects. An abusive use of the senna leaf can damage the intestine, cause digestive malfunction, pain and diarrhea. Therefore, in case of chronic constipation it is important not to abuse this substance and instead check for the existence of any pathology or inappropriate habits.