- What is it for
- How to Make Senna Tea
- Does sene tea help you lose weight?
- Possible side effects
- Who should not use
Senna is a medicinal plant, also known as Sena, Cassia, Cene, Dishwasher, Mamangá, which is widely used to treat constipation, especially due to its strong laxative and purgative properties.
The scientific name of this plant is Senna alexandrina and can be found in health food stores and in some handling pharmacies. Senna alexandrina is a modern name that includes two old names from the Senate, Cassia Senna and Cassia angustifolia .
What is it for
Senna has laxative, purgative, purifying and deworming properties and, for this reason, it is widely used to treat gastrointestinal problems, especially constipation. However, since it makes stools softer, it can also be used to relieve the discomfort of defecation in people with anal fissures and hemorrhoids.
Despite its benefits, senna should be used with caution and under medical guidance, as its constant use can cause changes in the intestinal microbiota, very strong cramps and even predispose to colon cancer.
See other home remedies that can be used to treat constipation.
How to Make Senna Tea
To make tea, green senna leaves should be preferred, as they have a more active effect on the body, especially when compared to its dry version. In addition, the greener the leaf, the stronger the effect.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 g of soup of leaves of senna; 250 ml of boiling water.
Method of preparation
Place the herb in a pot or cup, add the water and let stand for 5 minutes. Wait for it to cool a little, strain and drink 2 to 3 times a day, without adding sugar. This tea should only be used until the symptoms of constipation have improved or for up to 3 consecutive days.
Although tea is a practical option to consume senna, this plant can also be found in the form of capsules, which can be sold in health food stores and some pharmacies, and which are usually ingested in the amount of 1 capsule from 100 to 300 mg per day.
Ideally, senna should only be used with the guidance of a doctor, herbalist or naturopath and up to a maximum of 7 to 10 consecutive days. If after that period, constipation persists, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist.
Does sene tea help you lose weight?
Senna tea is often used, popularly, during weight loss processes. However, this plant does not have any property that helps in burning fats, and its effect in reducing weight is only related to the increase in the frequency of bowel movements, in addition to inhibition of water absorption, which prevents the retention of liquids.
The best way to lose weight is definitely through healthy eating and regular exercise. Learn how to lose weight fast and healthy by watching the following video:
Possible side effects
The laxative effect of senna is mainly linked to its ability to irritate intestinal muscosa, which makes bowel movements faster, eliminating stool. For this reason, the use of senna, especially for more than 1 week, can bring several undesirable side effects such as colic, a feeling of swollen belly and increased amount of gas.
In addition, some people may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, increased menstrual flow, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, intestinal malabsorption and decreased hemoglobin in the blood test.
Who should not use
Senna is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to senna, pregnancy, lactation, in children under 12, as well as in case of intestinal occlusion, enteritis, acute appendicitis and stomach pain of unknown cause.
In addition, senna should not be consumed by people who are taking heart medicine, laxatives, cortisone or diuretics and its use should not be longer than 10 consecutive days, as it can cause various side effects and increase the predisposition to cancer colorectal. Therefore, before using the Senna, it is important to seek guidance from a doctor to avoid possible complications.
