Cassia Angustifolia and Cassia Acutifolia,the Cassia senna spectrum stepped from the ancient Arabic sena.

Preparations,Dosage and Administration of Cassia Senna.

Senna leaf Extract INCI Name Cassia Angustifolia Extract CAS 85187-05-9 EINECS ELINCS No 286-092-5 Senna leaf Extract Total Sennosides Cassia acutifolia photo picture image Infusion: the dried pods or leaves should be steeped in warm water for 6-l2 hours. If they are Alexandrian Senna Pods use 3-6 in a cup of water; if they are Tinnevelly Senna, use 4-l2 pods. These names are given to two different species when sold commercially. Tincture: take 2-4ml of the tincture taken before bedtime.

Dosage and Administration:

1.5~3g for laxation, 5~10g for purgation. The herb is soaked in boiling water for 5 minutes for oral administration.

Unless otherwise prescribed: 0.6~2.0 g (corresponding to 20~30 mg hydroxyanthracene derivatives calculated as sennoside B) per day of cut or powdered herb or dried extracts for teas, decoctions, cold macerates, or elixirs. Liquid or solid forms of medication exclusively for oral use.
The correct dosage is the smallest dose necessary to maintain a soft stool.
Note: The form of administration should be smaller than the daily dose.
Dried leaf: 0.6~2.0 g.
Infusion or decoction: 0.6~2.0 g in 150 ml hot water for 10 to 30 minutes.
Cold macerate: 0.6~2.0 g in 150 ml cold water for 10 to 12 hours, strain, then heat before drinking.
Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 0.6~2.0 ml.
Elixir: 0.6~2.0 ml sweetened fluidextract.
Dry hydroalcoholic extract (5.5~8.0% hydroxyanthracene glycosides): 0.25~0.55 g.
For laxative formula use: NMT 50mgs extracts in 24 hours.
Special caution for use: Stimulating laxatives must not be used for more than one to two weeks without medical advice.
Overdosage: Electrolyte and fluid imbalance.

Special warnings:Use of a stimulating laxative for longer than the recommended period can cause intestinal sluggishness.

This preparation should be used only if no effects can be obtained through changes in diet or the use of bulk-forming products. Not indicated for:Children younger than age 12,Pregnant and breast-feeding women

Precautions:

Senna leaves and other stimulant laxatives should not be used for longer than two weeks to four without medical supervision.Chronic use or misuse of senna leaves can also cause electrolyte and fluid inbalances thus affecting your body balance.

Senna and other stimulant laxatives should not be used for longer than two weeks to four without medical supervision. Using senna longer than recommended can result in lazy bowel syndrome and permanent damage to the intestinal lining. Chronic use or misuse can also cause electrolyte and fluid imbalances, which can have adverse effects on the heart. To prevent or treat constipation, most doctors recommend making dietary changes or trying milder, bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium before using senna or other anthraquinone purgatives. Dietary approaches involve eating a high fiber diet , drinking six to eight glasses of water a day, and getting plenty of regular exercise.

Unless otherwise indicated by a doctor, senna should not be used by anyone with an intestinal obstruction, stomach inflammation, or intestinal inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease , colitis, irritable bowel syndrome , or appendicitis. Senna should also be avoided by those with undiagnosed abdominal pain. Senna should not be used by children younger than age 12. Senna should not be used by pregnant or breast-feeding women. It may significantly reduce drug absorption and lessen the efficiency of any over-the-counter or prescription medication. Children and seniors, who may be more susceptible to senna's effects, should start with smaller dosages of the herb.

Safety:

Can cause cramping , so is best used in combination with other Herb's. Should not be taken for more than two weeks to avoid weakening bowel. Should not be used if you have diarrhea, loose stools or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication of have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

The bottom line: At present, it appears reasonable to conclude that short-term use of senna is quite safe, while long-term use might or might not be safe. However, senna is not recommended for long-term use. Chronic senna consumption can cause dependency, meaning that it becomes impossible to have a bowel movement without it. In addition, there have been sporadic reports of unusual reactions to chronic use of senna, such as hepatitis.Thus, if used appropriately, senna should be safe.

As is the case with all laxatives, people with significant colonic disease, such as ulcerative colitis , should not use senna.

If senna is taken to the point of diarrhea, the body may become depleted of the mineral potassium . This is particularly dangerous for people using drugs in the digoxin family , which can cause dangerous cardiac arrythmias if potassium levels in the blood are inadequate. People who use medications that themselves deplete the body of potassium, such as thiazide or loop diuretics , are at special risk of this complication of senna overuse.

The safety of senna during pregnancy has not been established, and pregnant women are advised to avoid senna during the first trimester.Nursing women should also avoid using senna.

Toxicity:

Acute Toxicity of Total Sennosides.LD50.Mice.Oral.1.414g/kg.Reference:Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi,1986,6(8);455.by Jin Ya Cheng,etc.

Acute toxicity of Total Sennosides,Lethal dose,50 percent death,LD50.Mice.Oral.1.414g/kgs,equals to raw senna leaf dry base 36.3g/kg,this dose 300 times than clinical human dose,toxicity study from clinical apply of senna leaves 102 case,no toxic effects find.Reference:Wagner H. Drogen-analyse, 1983;99

Side Effects:

In single incidents, cramp-like discomforts of the gastrointestinal tract. These cases require a dosage reduction.

With chronic use or abuse: Disturbance of electrolyte balance, especially potassium deficiency, albuminuria and hematuria. Pigment implantation into the intestinal mucosa (pseudomelanosis coli) is harmless and usually reverses on discontinuation of the drug. Potassium deficiency can lead to disorders of heart function and muscular weakness, especially with concurrent use of cardiac glycosides, diuretics, or corticosteroids.

Stimulant laxatives such as senna tend to have more side effects than other purgatives, so it is important to take the lowest effective dosage. The side effects of senna include stomach cramps, diarrhea , and gas, which can be severe if the herb is used longer than recommended or in large amounts.

These problems may be avoided by reducing the dosage and adding other herbs. More serious effects include fainting, dehydration, and electrolyte disorders such as low blood potassium, albuminuria, and hematuria. Potassium deficiency can lead to muscle weakness and disorders of heart function. Potassium levels may drop even further if senna is combined with cardiac glycoside medications, diuretics, or corticosteroids. People using diet pills or teas should be sure that if senna is an ingredient they use the products short term (a month or less).

Interactions:

Because of its potential effect on potassium levels, senna should not be combined with anti-arrhythmic drugs, thiazide diuretics, corticoadrenal steroids, or licorice root without the supervision of a doctor.If you are taking: digoxin,thiazide diuretics,or loop diuretics,It is especially important not to overuse senna.

Reference:

1.Cassia Angustifolia and Cassia Acutifolia,the Cassia senna spectrum stepped from the ancient Arabic sena.

last edit date:3rd,Mar.2010.

Available Product

Name:Senna leaf Extract
Serie No:R040.
Specifications:Total Sennosides2% 4% 8%.
INCI Name:CASSIA ANGUSTIFOLIA EXTRACT
EINECS/ELINCS No.:286-092-5
CAS:85187-05-9
Chem/IUPAC Name:Cassia Angustifolia Extract is an extract of the seeds of Cassia angustifolia,Leguminosae.

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