Table of contents:
- The myriad of benefits that senna leaves offer
- 1. Launching a bowel movement
- 2. Relieves symptoms of hemorrhoids
- 3. Preparing the intestines before colonoscopy
- People who should not consume senna leaves
One of the medicinal plants that you should be familiar with is senna leaf. Not many people know about this plant originating from North Africa. Senna leaves are often used as traditional medicine because they have properties that are good for health. What are the benefits that can be obtained from this senna leaf?
The myriad of benefits that senna leaves offer
Senna is a plant that belongs to the category of herbal plants and is known as a fairly effective laxative. Medicines derived from the leaves of this plant are usually consumed in pills, capsules, or processed into tea.
Here are some of the benefits that you can get from senna leaves.
1. Launching a bowel movement
Senna leaf extract taken by mouth has actually been shown to be able to treat constipation or constipation in the short term. You can brew it into tea or eat the leaves.
You can get this benefit because senna leaves have active substances that can make your intestinal walls contract so that digestion is smooth. In addition, senna is believed to remove heat from the intestines, helping to get rid of food waste that has accumulated in the digestive organs.
As a natural laxative, senna is also quite potent when taken with psyllium or docusate sodium. In fact, for the elderly, senna with sodium can treat constipation in elderly people who have had anorectal surgery.
2. Relieves symptoms of hemorrhoids
Apart from being used as a laxative, other benefits of senna leaves can also be used to relieve symptoms related to hemorrhoids because of their natural anti-inflammatory compounds.
Hemorrhoids usually cause pain when defecating because there is a blockage in the anus and causes inflammation.
This is evidenced by a study which showed that rats given senna leaf extract decreased inflammation in the digestive tract.
3. Preparing the intestines before colonoscopy
For those of you who will undergo a colonoscopy, which is a cancer screening test for the colon, your doctor may order to empty the contents of your colon and rectum.
One way is by taking laxatives, fasting before the examination, and drinking only water. You can use this natural laxative, senna leaf, to do a colon cleansing.
This is because senna leaves are considered to be as effective as a colon cleansing drug, namely bisocodyl. However, please note that you need to use senna leaves in combination with mannitol, saline solution, and simethicone for satisfactory results. Consult further with your doctor before taking it.
People who should not consume senna leaves
After knowing what are the benefits of senna leaves, now is the time to recognize the side effects caused by this herbal laxative.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers It is highly recommended not to take senna leaves in the long term because they can harm the intestines and cause side effects of laxative drugs.
- People with electrolyte disorders because his body is deficient in potassium, consuming these leaves will only make his situation worse.
- People who experience diarrhea and dehydration It is also recommended not to use the benefits of senna leaves because their laxative properties will make the condition worse.
For those of you who may want to use the benefits of senna leaves as herbal medicine, you should first consult with your doctor. It is intended that you find out whether your body condition is suitable for using senna leaves for certain treatments.
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