What is senna tea and is it safe?

However, there is little scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of senna tea for most of these uses—other than treating constipation.

However, you can learn about the benefits and safety of this drink.

This article explains everything you need to know about senna tea.

What is senna?

Senna is an herbal remedy made from the leaves, flowers and fruits of a large group of flowering plants in the legume family ().

Extracts and teas from plants of the genus Senna have long been used as laxatives and stimulants in traditional herbal medicine ().

Senna is native to Egypt and is now grown throughout the world, including countries such as India and Somalia.

Most commercial products are made from Cassia acutifolia or Cassia angustifolia, commonly known as Alexandrian and Indian senna, respectively ().

Today, senna is most often sold as a tea or as an over-the-counter constipation supplement, but it is sometimes used in diet pills and drinks.

Summary:

Senna is a plant in the legume family that is often used as a laxative. It is also sometimes added to weight loss supplements.

Uses of senna tea

The most common use of senna tea is to stimulate bowel movements and relieve constipation.

The primary active compounds in senna leaves are known as senna glycosides or sennosides. Sennosides cannot be absorbed in your digestive tract, but they can be broken down by your gut bacteria ().

This breakdown of sennosides slightly irritates the cells of the colon, which stimulates intestinal motility and has a laxative effect.

Senna is the active ingredient in many popular over-the-counter laxatives. For most people, it will stimulate bowel movements for 6–12 hours ().

Other Potential Applications

Due to its laxative effect, some people use senna tea to prepare for a colonoscopy ().

Some people may also use senna tea to relieve discomfort associated with hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins and tissue in the lower part of the rectum that can cause bleeding, pain and itching. Chronic constipation is the main cause, and small bouts of constipation can irritate existing hemorrhoids ().

However, the effectiveness of senna in relieving hemorrhoid symptoms has not been thoroughly studied.

Summary:

Senna is primarily used to relieve constipation, but some people may also use it to prepare for a colonoscopy and treat hemorrhoid symptoms.

Beneficial features

The herb contains anthraglycosides, which provide the laxative effect of senna. The effect of this substance is to mildly irritate the intestinal mucosa, which leads to increased peristalsis.

In addition to anthraglycosides, the plant also contains other useful substances, including: trace elements, polysaccharides, resins, phytosterols, plant acids and bioflavonoids.

Infusions and decoctions of senna have the following properties:

1. They cleanse the body of accumulated toxins and waste, improve the functioning of the liver and gallbladder. If you take the drug in minimal doses, you can achieve improved digestion. And in large quantities, the laxative effect of senna is manifested.
2. Promotes better absorption into the intestinal walls and absorption of nutrients.
3. Senna is used for constipation and as a mild laxative. At the same time, it is prescribed mainly to eliminate the atonic type of constipation. In case of spastic defecation, the use of the herb can only be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor.
4. Senna has been proven effective for weight loss. This is possible due to the laxative effect of the plant, its ability to remove excess fluid from the body and accelerate metabolic processes.
5. In cosmetology, the plant is used to soften, strengthen and restore hair. It is also noted that regular rinsing of hair after washing with senna decoction helps to cope with dandruff.

Senna tea should not be used for weight loss

Senna is increasingly found in herbal teas and supplements that claim to stimulate metabolism and promote weight loss.

However, no scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of using senna tea for detoxification, cleansing, or weight loss.

In fact, using senna tea in this manner can be very dangerous.

Senna is not recommended for frequent or long-term use as it may alter the normal function of intestinal tissues and cause dependence on laxatives ().

What's more, a recent study of more than 10,000 women found that those who used laxatives to lose weight were 6 times more likely to develop an eating disorder ().

If you're trying to lose weight, diet and lifestyle changes are the best options, not supplements or laxatives.

Summary:

Senna is often marketed as a weight loss aid, but there is no evidence to support its effectiveness. Due to the long-term risks of its use, you should not use senna to lose weight.

Ivan tea with hay

Fireweed has a huge powerful healing effect. Since ancient times, in Rus', it was considered the first assistant for any ailment.

It is used in the treatment of diseases such as:

• Mental and physical exhaustion
• Headache
• Colds, acute respiratory infections, flu and various infections
• Gastritis, ulcers and gallbladder problems
• Diseases of the genitourinary system
• Periodontitis
• Increased fatigue and excitability

Fireweed is rightfully considered one of the most unique herbs on earth. Its narrow leaves, long stem and root are equally beneficial. Moreover, fireweed leaves can be consumed not only in the form of tea, but also made into a salad. It can improve the appearance of hair, skin and nails, fill the body with energy, calm the nervous system and improve sleep, help overcome depression and get rid of alcohol addiction, strengthen the immune system and improve vision.

Koporye tea with senna is a collection that contains a large amount of useful substances and, thanks to its various chemical components, it has a special effect on the body, providing a therapeutic effect on it.

Drink from fireweed tea + senna:

• Promotes weight loss
• Removes toxins and impurities
• Frees the intestines from fecal stagnation
• Normalizes stool
• Strengthens immunity
• Improves intestinal motility
• Prevents fat absorption
• Enhances bile production
• Lowers cholesterol levels to normal

Some of the main active ingredients of tea with hay and fireweed are anthraglycosides, phytosterols, alkaloids, bioflavonoids, polysaccharides, tannins, mucilages, resins and organic acids. As well as fluorine, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper. Of the vitamins, these are: C (in large doses), A, PP and B. All of them are actively involved in vital processes for the body.

Application of the drink

Fireweed with senna is also used for weight loss. In a week you can lose from one and a half to three kilograms.

But the medicinal properties of senna are also used in traditional medicine; preparations based on it are used to treat diseases such as colon anatonia, proctitis, constipation, and anal fissures.

For any purpose: weight loss, cleansing, laxative effect, herbal tea with senna is consumed after dinner, 2 hours before bedtime, no more than 2 cups. Or, if you plan to stay at home, you can drink it in the morning, on an empty stomach, one and a half to two hours before breakfast.

Since senna is addictive, it is better to drink fermented fireweed tea with its additive in courses two weeks later.

How to brew hay tea with fireweed

Pour 1-2 teaspoons of fermented fireweed tea with hay into 250 ml of hot water. Let it brew for 20 minutes; you can drink it either chilled or warm. This tea has a pronounced herbaceous taste with a slight bitterness.

Contraindications

• Senna, which is part of Koporye tea, is very effective, therefore, uncontrolled consumption of this drink can lead to a weakening of the intestines due to addiction, liver damage, spasms in the intestines and a sharp, painful urge to go to the toilet.
• Pregnant and lactating women are under no circumstances recommended to drink herbal tea with senna, as this has a detrimental effect on the child.
• People during periods of inflammatory processes in the intestines should also refrain from taking this drink.
• It is also contraindicated for people with stomach ulcers, as in large doses it causes an excessive release of bile.

Before drinking fireweed tea with senna, consult your doctor, read and look at reviews. This way you will learn more information about him and will not harm yourself.

If you are looking at Koporye tea with senna precisely because of its laxative properties, then spend a little time on this video with Elena Malysheva, she spoke in detail about the types of laxatives and the principles of their action:

Safety, precautions and side effects

Senna tea is generally considered safe for most adults and children over 12 years of age. However, it does have several risks and side effects.

The most common side effects are stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. However, these symptoms are usually mild and tend to resolve quickly ().

Some people also experience allergic reactions to senna. If you have ever had a reaction to a product containing senna, you should avoid senna tea ().

Senna is indicated for the short-term treatment of constipation. You should not use it for more than 7 days in a row unless otherwise directed by your healthcare professional ().

Long-term consumption of senna tea can lead to laxative dependence, electrolyte imbalances, and liver damage.

Additionally, senna may interact negatively with certain types of medications, such as ():

• blood thinners
• diuretics
• steroids
• liquorice root
• medications to normalize heart rhythm

If you have heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or liver disease, you should consult your doctor before taking any senna product, as taking it may make these conditions worse ().

Senna is generally not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women ().

Summary:

Common side effects of senna tea include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. More serious side effects, such as liver damage, may occur with long-term use.

Recommended dosage

A typical senna supplement dosage is 15–30 mg per day for no more than 1 week ().

However, there is no clear dosage recommendation for senna tea.

Determining the exact dose is much more difficult because the concentration of sennosides changes dramatically depending on how long the tea is steeped.

Moreover, many manufacturers of commercial senna teas, especially those containing a mixture of herbs, do not specify the exact amount of senna leaves used.

In this case, the safest approach is to follow the package instructions for preparation and consumption. Never consume more than what is indicated on the label.

Summary:

Although there are no clear dosage recommendations for senna tea, you should not take more than what is recommended on the package.

Recipes

Senna cleansing tea drink

In order to cook you will need

one tablespoon of pre-crushed cassia leaves. The herb should be poured into one glass of hot water, left for 3 hours and drunk half a glass in the morning on an empty stomach and at night. The course of taking this drink is one week.

Nutrient mixture for weight loss

take 100 g of different dried fruits - prunes, figs, dried apricots, raisins. Grind in a blender, add 100 grams of senna and honey. Store this delicious pasta in the refrigerator. The course of treatment is 1 tablespoon per day for three weeks.

Many patients who start taking hay drink are interested in the question: “How long does it take for it to start working”?

The medicine begins to act after 7-8 hours, after use there is a general improvement in well-being and an unprecedented surge of strength.

How to make senna tea at home

Senna tea is often described as having a mild, sweet and slightly bitter taste. Unlike many other herbal teas, it is not very aromatic on its own.

However, many commercial teas combine senna with other herbs, which can change the final aroma and taste.

If you are using a tea bag or blend, follow the instructions on the package.

If you are making senna tea without adding other herbs, soak 1-2 grams of dried senna leaves in hot water for 10 minutes. Avoid consuming more than 2 servings per day ().

You can also add a little sweetener such as honey or stevia.

Summary:

When using tea bags or blend, follow the instructions on the package. When using dry senna leaves, soak 1-2 grams of leaves in hot water for 10 minutes.

How to brew tea with senna

How to take and brew senna depends on the expected effect. This tea is mainly used for constipation or during weight loss.

To prepare an effective cleanser, you need to add 2 teaspoons of each plant to tea with senna leaves, chamomile flowers and linden blossom. Place the prepared raw materials in a thermos and pour 2 cups of boiling water over everything. The tea should be steeped for at least 8 hours, after which it should be strained and taken as the main product for a fasting day. On this day, you need to drink a glass of warm water in the morning. Then, every 3 hours, take 150 ml of the prepared drink.

There is another method of cleansing. To do this, prepare a decoction of senna: 1 tablespoon of the raw material is poured with a glass of boiling water and kept in a water bath for 30 minutes. After complete cooling, the product is filtered and taken. It is recommended to drink tea in the evening or a few hours before eating. The course of treatment cannot be longer than 2 weeks.

Today, senna tea is increasingly used for weight loss. This remedy is recommended for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. To do this, traditional diets are combined with the use of tea prepared from 1 tablespoon of dry leaves of the plant and 1 cup of boiling water. You need to infuse the drink for 3 hours. You should drink half a glass of tea every day in the morning and evening. The duration of its use is 1 week. To maximize the effect, nutritionists recommend avoiding eating after 18.00, and also giving up sweets and fatty foods.

Summarize

• Senna tea is an herbal infusion often used to treat constipation.
• Although some people claim that it promotes weight loss, you should not use it to detoxify or cleanse the body. This can lead to laxative addiction, liver damage, and other serious health problems.
• Senna tea may cause short-term stomach cramps and diarrhea. To minimize the risk of negative effects, you should not drink it for longer than 7 days in a row.

The article was prepared by experts for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a guide for treating medical conditions and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of illness or any symptoms, you should always consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Tags: Senna, Tea

About the author: Alexander Fedorov

Candidate of Biological Sciences, biologist, nutrition expert. Graduated from Stavropol State University with a degree in Biology at the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry.

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