The senna herb provides many health benefits to the body, which vary according to the degree of its effectiveness, and the following is a detail of that: Often effective (Likely Effective)

Reducing constipation: Senna has been used for thousands of years to relieve constipation, and it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a laxative without the need for a prescription, and it can be used to clean the intestines before performing surgeries, or diagnostic tests for the digestive system; Like a colonoscopy, the active substance in senna is called sennosides, which is a plant compound that irritates the lining of the intestine, giving a strong laxative effect. It is worth noting that a bowel movement begins about 6 to 12 hours after taking senna orally. Its effectiveness is greater if it is taken rectally. Where the bowel movement begins after only 10 minutes,

 It was also found that senna makki is more effective in treating persistent constipation in the elderly if used with psyllium, in addition to using it with sodium docusate (English: Sodium ducosate) makes it more effective in older adults who have had colon and rectal surgery.

Possibly Effective Bowel preparation before colonoscopy: senna has an effect similar to that of castor oil and bisacodyl in cleaning the intestines, and some evidence has found that senna has an effect similar to polyethylene glycol, which is used to clean the intestines, However, it should be noted that the evidence is conflicting. Since it is not clear whether taking senna with


 polyethylene glycol is more effective than taking polyethylene glycol alone, it is worth noting that senna is less effective than sodium picosulfate in cleaning the intestines, but taking a mixture of senna and polyethylene glycol, Sodium picosulfate is more effective than sodium picosulfate alone in preparing the intestines prior to colonoscopy.
Insufficient Evidence

Helping lose weight: Some researchers suggest that drinking senna tea may stimulate weight loss, however there is no evidence that senna tea has these benefits, in addition to the fact that the use of laxatives is not a safe way to lose weight, or to reduce body fat,

 To achieve weight loss using senna, it must be taken for longer periods than recommended, and in larger doses as well, and this may cause serious health problems, as anorexia nervosa was recorded for a person who used to take approximately 100 tablets of senna. I cry every day, and this has led to a condition called nephrocalcinosis. That is, high levels of calcium in the kidneys, and finger clubbing; It is a deformity in the shape of the fingers, in addition to diseases in the joints and bones.

Safe Dosages of Senna Mackie Senna is a non-prescription approved laxative approved by the Food and Drug Administration. People 12 years of age and over are recommended to consume 17.2 milligrams per day, taking care not to exceed the permissible limit, which is 34.4 milligrams per day, and 8.5 milligrams per day is recommended for constipated children.[8] Possible side effects of senna use.


Possible side effects of using senna makki may cause some annoying and sometimes dangerous side effects, including:
 [9] diarrhea. convulsions Fluid loss. Abdominal pain. feel helpless. Electrolyte imbalance.

It should be noted that long-term use of senna may cause bowel movement dependence on it, in addition to finger clubbing - which can be treated -, rectal bleeding, and wasting, and a doctor should be consulted in case of any of these symptoms. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and solutions that supply the body with the electrolytes it has lost when consuming senna, in order to avoid fluid or electrolyte loss, especially in the case of diarrhea, and to treat cramps, or abdominal pain, the dose must be reduced until symptoms disappear .


The degree of safety and precautions of using senna maki For a short period of time, it is safe for most adults and children over two years of age, but it may not be safe when taken for long periods or in high doses, so experts advise to avoid using senna for a period exceeding two weeks, as the use Its long-term may lead to the cessation of normal bowel functions, and may cause dependence on the laxative effect of the herb, and may also lead to a change in the amounts of chemicals and electrolytes in the blood or an imbalance, and this may cause problems in heart function, muscle weakness, and liver damage. , and other problems, and in addition to that, some cases have to be careful when using the Makki senna, and we mention from these cases the following: 

Pregnant and lactating women: It can be said that eating senna maki for a short period is likely to be safe for pregnant and lactating women, but it is likely not to be safe when consumed for long periods and in large doses continuously, as this is linked to liver damage, reliance on laxatives to perform bowel functions, and despite Although senna makki runs out of breast milk for the baby, this does not seem to affect the baby; It does not change the frequency or consistency of the child's stool.

People suffering from dehydration and diarrhea: Senna Makki should not be used in case of these conditions. Because it may make it worse.

People with gastrointestinal diseases: Senna should be avoided if you have abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or appendicitis. , gastritis, rectal prolapse, diarrhea, or hemorrhoids.

People with heart disease: Senna may cause electrolyte disturbances, which worsens the condition of people with heart disease.

Liver poisoning: Consumption of senna for periods, and in quantities greater than recommended, may cause liver damage, as symptoms of infection usually appear after 3 to 5 months of consumption, and elevated serum enzymes have appeared within the liver cell, and re-exposure to senna maki causes recurrence. Rapid damage to the liver again.

Medicinal interactions with senna makki may interfere with some types of medicines, including the following.


Birth control pills: Ethinyl estradiol is a form of estrogen found in some birth control pills, and senna may reduce the amount of estradiol the body absorbs, which may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.

Digoxin: (in English: Digoxin); Senna is an active laxative that may reduce potassium levels in the body, and this may cause an increased risk of side effects from this drug.


Estrogen: Some hormone replacement pills contain a chemical called estrone, and senna may cause a decrease in the levels of this substance in the body, thus affecting the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy.


Warfarin: Senna may cause diarrhea in some people, and this may increase the effect resulting from the use of warfarin, and thus increase the risk of bleeding, and therefore, consuming large quantities of senna with this drug should be avoided.


Diuretics: Laxatives such as senna may cause a decrease in potassium levels in the blood, and diuretics may also cause this, so the use of senna with diuretics at the same time should be avoided to avoid a sharp drop in potassium levels. Chlorothiazide), chlorthalidone (English: Chlortalidone), furosemide (English: Furosemide), and others.


Some herbal supplements: It is believed that horsetail and licorice are herbs that may reduce potassium levels in some people, so taking senna with these herbs may cause a severe drop in potassium levels in blood.


An overview of the senna makki The senna makki, or senna, is a perennial shrubs that are planted in semi-arid lands, grow to a height of approximately 90 centimeters, and have a green stem, and smooth leaves of a grayish-green color. (Scientific name: Caesalpiniaceae), and bears compound leaves of small leaves of oval shape, arranged in pairs, and one leaf bears 5-8 pairs of leaves that appear 60-70 days after sowing seeds. Senna makki flowers of yellow color and medium size after 90 days of planting its seeds. It is worth noting that there are two types of senna makki; The first is the Alexandrian senna (in English: Cassia- C.


 senna), which is found along the Nile River in Egypt and Sudan, and the second is called C. angustifolia, also known as Tinnevelly senna, which is found in the southern and eastern parts of India. The senna makki has about 250-260 species of flowering plants, and they all contain the compound Anthraquinone, which has laxative properties for constipation.


It is worth noting that there are no regulated manufacturing standards for many herbal compounds, and some of these supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or medications. Therefore, these herbal supplements should only be purchased from trustworthy places. This is to reduce the risk of contamination, in addition to the importance of using senna as indicated on its label, or as described by a specialized doctor, and it is worth noting the importance of avoiding consuming senna in large quantities, or for a longer period of time than recommended;[13] as this may cause Liver problems, and others. Extracts of senna leaves, flowers, and fruits have been used for centuries in folk medicine as a laxative and stimulant, in addition to being used in many herbal teas.


Senna Makki usually grows in areas with warm temperatures and tropical regions. It also prefers sandy, medium-fertile and well-drained soil, but it does not tolerate a significant increase in irrigation. It is worth noting that Senna Makki is usually grown as an annual plant - that is, it grows for one agricultural season. , but it can also remain for two to three years. As for the crop it produces, it varies according to soil and irrigation conditions. For example, India produces in one year about 700 kilograms of senna leaves irrigated with rain water only per 0.01 square kilometres, while The same area produces 1400 kilograms of senna leaves when irrigated.