Senna alexandrina Mill.
Leguminosae
- Cassia senna L. Cassia acutifolia Del.
- Alexandrian Senna
- Egyptian Senna
- sanamakki سنامكي
- סֶנֶא מְחֻדָּד
- sene mekhudad
Chamaephyte
- Desert
- Thermophilous plants
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distribution and other botanical details.
Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Senna alexandrina Mill.
System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dermatological | Acne |
Anti-Infective | Prepare poultice of powdered leaves + egg white & apply externally. |
Leaf | Z |
Dermatological | Freckles |
Freckle remover | Prepare poultice of powdered leaves + egg white & apply externally. |
Leaf | Z |
Dermatological | Psoriasis |
Anti-inflammatory | Grind leaves + henna (Lawsonia inermis) leaves, + ?madda al-lionel? (a wax-like material ? identity); place in a bottle & apply morning & evenings. |
Leaf | B |
Endocrine/ Metabolic | Weight loss |
Anti-obesity | 1.Grind leaves + equal amounts fennel + anise (Pimpinella anisum) seeds + cumin (Cuminum cyminum) + ?fadi? (? meaning) + sugar; mix & eat x1 spoon/day after lunch. |
Leaf, Seed | B |
Gastrointestinal | Abdominal pain |
Carminative | Add few senna seeds + anise (seeds?) + fennel (seeds?) to boiling water & drink x1-2 cups/day until relief. |
Seed | B |
Gastrointestinal | Against "heat in the stomach" |
Antacid | Powder or decoct leaves & drink. |
Leaf | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Constipation (See NOTES 1) |
Laxative | 1. Add 6-12 seeds to 1 cup almost boiled water, decoct 1-2 min & drink x1 cup. (B) |
Fruit, Leaf, Seed | B, Z |
Gastrointestinal | Diarrhea |
Anti-diarrheal | Decoct leaves in water, cool & drink 1 cup x3/day. |
Leaf | B |
Gastrointestinal | Intestinal gas |
Carminative | Decoct leaves in water & drink x 2-3 cups until well. |
Leaf | B |
Gastrointestinal | Jaundice |
Hepatic | Decoct or powder leaves & drink. |
Leaf | Z |
Haematology | Spleen diseases |
Non-specific | Powder or decoct leaves & drink. |
Leaf | Z |
Helminth infections | Intestinal worms |
Anthelmintic, Vermifuge | Heat fruit & leaves in water & drink extract on empty stomach. |
Fruit, Leaf | Z |
Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Gout |
Anti-inflammatory, Uricolytic | Decoct leaves in water & drink x1cup/day until well. |
Leaf | B |
Musculoskeletal/ joints | Joint pain (Z) Leg & joint pain (B) |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | 1.Powder or decoct leaves & drink. (Z) |
Leaf | Z, B |
Nervous System | Head pain |
Analgesic | Decoct leaves in water & drink x1 cup/day until well. |
Leaf | B |
Nervous System | Sciatica |
Analgesic | Decoct leaves in water & drink x1 cup/day until well. |
Leaf | B |
Respiratory | Runny nose |
Anti-Infective, Anti-catarrhal | Powder or decoct leaves & drink. |
Leaf | Z |
Wound Healing | Small purulent lesions |
Anti-Infective, Vulnerary | Cook fruit & leaves in water + "sbideh baqal'a" (talc?) + "fulus" (? seeds of Cassia fistula) + "afsantin" (? Artemisia absinthium (See NOTES 2 + "riban dashini" (? Rheum sp.) (See NOTES 3) + almond oil & drink. |
Fruit, Leaf | Z |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
1. Z Notes that the main use of Senna Alexandrina is for constipation.
2. in the recipe for small purulent wounds, the ingredient "afsantin" is identified by Z as Artemisia. This may refer to Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) an important non-native medicinal plant.
3. In the above recipe, the ingredient "riban dashini" is identified by Z as Rheum (rhubarb). This is not however the arabic or Hebrew word for this plant which is "rawand" or "ribes' (respec.).
Leaves & fruits of Senna alexandrina contain sennosides (anthranoid laxatives) & can be habit forming. May be cytotoxic, genotoxic & mutagenic. Abusers of anthranoid laxatives have higher rates of colon cancer & can develop melanosis coli. Side effects include gastric cramps, low potassium, discoloration of urine & hemorrhoidal congestion. Should not be used for more than 1-2 weeks. Avoid in preganacy, lacatation & children under 12 yrs. Contraindicated in hemorroids, nephropathy, i ntestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown origin, appendicits, colitis, Crohn`s Disease & Irritable Bowel.