May help with

• strong laxative
• constipation

Senna tea is indeed known for its bitter taste, and the bitterness can intensify if the leaves are infused for too long

. The flavor of senna tea is often described as having a slightly sweet initial taste, but with strong bitter undertones

Taste Profile

• Initial Flavor: Mildly sweet
• Dominant Note: Strong bitterness
• Overall Character: Slightly aromatic, but not particularly pleasant on its own

Infusion Time and Bitterness

The bitterness of senna tea can become more pronounced with longer steeping times. This is because extended infusion allows more of the bitter compounds to be extracted from the leaves

To manage the bitterness and avoid an overly strong taste:

• Recommended Steeping Time: 5-10 minutes

   

• Optimal Amount: Use 1-2 grams of dried senna leaves per cup of hot water

   

Mitigating the Bitter Taste

To make senna tea more palatable, consider the following:

1. Blend with Other Teas: Mix senna leaves with green tea or other herbal teas

    

2. Add Sweeteners: Incorporate honey or stevia to balance the bitterness

    

3. Include Aromatics: Combine with herbs like peppermint or coriander to improve flavor

    

It's important to note that while adjusting the taste can make senna tea more enjoyable, it should still be consumed in moderation and not for extended periods due to its potent laxative effects.

Source : http://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Cassia senna

Reference on http://www.wikiphyto.org

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plant name

1. Alexandria Senna, Khartoum Senna
2. India senna , Tinnevelly senna
3.  

International Latin denomination

1. Cassia senna L. = Cassia acutifolia (Delile) Batka = Senna alexandrina Mill.
2. Cassia angustifolia (Vahl.) Batka = Senna (homeopathic name)

botanical family

Fabaceae subfamily Caesalpinioideae

Description and habitat

• Native to tropical Africa
• Subshrub or shrub about 1 to 1.5 m high, with compound leaves formed by an even number of leaflets
• Numerous yellow flowers of about 3 cm
• The fruit is a flattened pod (follicles), reniform, leathery, green-brown in color, open in two valves releasing few seeds (5 to 10)

History and tradition

• A plant used by Arab doctors from the 9th century, Indian senna was originally from the pre-desert regions of Arabia.
• Alexandria was the historical export port of Alexandria Senna

Parts used

• Fruit pulp (pod)

Dosage forms available

• Leaflet Senna tincture _

Usual dosages

• 2 to 6 cloves in cold maceration, infusion or decoction

Composition

Main components of the plant

• Hétérosides dianthroniques (dianthrones > 3 %) : sennosides A, B, C, D, E, F, et anthraquinones : rhéine, émodine
• Mucilage (2 to 3%)
• Flavonoids  : derivatives of kaempferol
• Naphthalene glycosides: glucosides of tinnevelline , or 6-hydroxymusizine

Main components of buds or young shoots

Main components of essential oil

Properties

Plant properties

• Strong laxative, stimulant laxative
• Can cause colic
• It is associated with aromatic and antispasmodic plants that evacuate gases and relax the intestinal muscles
• Sennosides are dimers (obtained by drying and infusion at 40°) of hydroxyanthracene derivatives

Bud properties

Properties of essential oil

Indications

Indications of the whole plant (phytotherapy)

• Occasional constipation
• Anal fissures (when stools need to be softened)
• No more than 10 days of treatment so as not to weaken the muscles of the colon

Indications of the bud (gemmotherapy)

Specific indications of essential oil (aromatherapy)

Known or suspected mode of action

• Sennosides reach the colon through their sugars, activity after contact with the intestinal flora which reduces anthraquinones to anthrones, which stimulate motricity by a direct action, reduce the absorption of sodium, increase the secretion of potassium, and the passage of water in the intestinal lumen
• By causing contractions that lead to the emission of a stool 10 to 12 hours after ingestion
• Sennosides and mucilages also retain water in the colon, helping to soften stools
• The mucilages dissolve more or less and swell on contact with water to form gels or colloidal solutions

Usual formulations

Regulations

• French Pharmacopoeia list A (leaflet, fruit) of Cassia senna and Cassia angustifolia

Possible side effects and precautions for use

• Not in pregnant women
• Not in case of chronic constipation

Bibliographic references

Store in a cool, dry place, away from light. Keep tightly closed, away from the reach of Children and pets.

Do not exceed the daily dose.

This product is not intended to prevent or cure any form of illness or disease.
 

If you are pregnant or nursing ; If you have a medical condition or are in the course of medical treatment ; If you are programmed for theater/operation in the near future, please consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product.

This product cannot replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

This product has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use.

For More Information please check our General Safety Herbal products Page