Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Family

Leguminosae

Synonym(s)

Cassia senna L. Cassia acutifolia Del.

English name(s)

Alexandrian Senna
Egyptian Senna

Hebrew Name(s)

sene mekhudad

סֶנֶא מְחֻדָּד

Arabic Name(s)

sanamakki سنامكي

Life Form

Chamaephyte

Habitat

Desert
Thermophilous plants

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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. 2. Decoct handful of leaves in water for 10 min & drink filtrate x3/day mornings on empty stomach. 3. Add 1 teaspoon ground senna (? part) to 1 cup water & drink x1 cup before sleeping for 1 mth. 4. Add few seeds to boiling water & drink x1-2 cups/day. 5. Decoct leaves & drink x1 cup on alternate days.	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) 2. Steep seeds overnight in cold water, boil, add leaves, cool & drink 1 glass x3/day. (B) 3. Add ? teaspoon ground senna to 1 cup boiled water, cover & drink x1-2 cups/day after eating for 1 week. (B) 4. Mix senna seeds + anise (Pimpinella anisum) + ground cumin (Cuminum cyminum) + licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) + fennel (Foeniculum vulgare); add a little of mixture to almost boiled water & drink multiple doses as needed. (B) 5. Decoct leaves & drink x1 cup on alternate days. (B) 6. Heat fruit & leaves in water & drink extract. (Z) 7. Cook or infuse leaves in water & drink. (Z) 8. Use leaves in powdered form. (Z) 9. Decoct leaves with following plants generally added to decoction: "kamnon ha-anis" (Pimpinella anisum); dried figs; "kuzbara" (Coriander, seeds or root); "khiyar shanbar" (Cassia fistula). (Z)	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) 2. Decoct leaves in water & drink x1 cup/day until well.(B)	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

Notes

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.).

Cautions

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.

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.