Senna Leaf Tea
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Senna Leaf Tea
Senna leaf tea may seem like just what you are looking for if you have difficulties with constipation. When it has been a while since you have managed a good bowel movement and are beginning to get that stuffed, backed up feeling all you really want is relief. At its low point, constipation can feel as if it will never go away.
Senna Leaf Tea’s Benefit for Constipation
Senna leaf tea is well loved in herbal medicine circles and for good reason; many have found it a great solution for the problem of constipation. The key to senna tea is to use it for only a brief period of time—no more than a week at the very most, and to take some precautions when drinking it.
Senna definitely helps people’s constipation but needs to be used cautiously.
Senna Tea Causes Miscarriage in Some Women
You should not take senna tea if you are pregnant. Studies indicate an increased chance of early contractions or miscarriage in women who took senna tea during pregnancy. The active compounds in senna tea, anthraquinones, will be transmitted through breast milk so you should avoid taking senna tea postpartum.
Do Not Use Senna if you have a Colon Disorder or Stomach Pain
The very effectiveness of senna is what makes it dangerous for those with colon disorders and other possible intestinal disorders characterized by pain and discomfort. The anthraquinones that help speed up the movement of fecal matter through you system may also cause intestinal irritation and increase pre-existing problems. Don’t take it if you have other sorts of intestinal systems or colon disease.
Of course, don’t take senna if you already have diarrhea. This will make matters worse and can be harmful.
Harmful Drug Interactions
Senna also can cause negative side effects with a long list of common drugs like Vitamin C and aspirin. You should consult your doctor before taking senna leaf tea beforehand if you are on prescriptions so that you can weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks to taking it.
Allergic Reactions
In some rare cases, some people have allergic reactions to senna. The allergic side effects can be serious including difficulty breathing, throat constriction, and inflammation of lips etc. (If you have this reaction you should seek medical attention immediately.) So, when you prepare the tea for the first time, be sure to try a little bit at first. If you don’t experience any symptoms, increase your dose.
Prepare with Heat, but Drink it Cool
One of the main mistakes people make when taking senna is drinking it warm. You increase your chances of having intestinal discomfort when drinking senna warm, so steep it warm, but then wait for it to cool to drink it. Also, if you are adding a natural ingredient like potato skin as a stool softener, be sure to add it in the heating process and not in the cooling process. The heat is what helps to bind the compound for best effect.
Overuse
In case you are wondering, overuse of senna leads to a bunch of problems, mainly with the intestinal system. The more senna you take, the more likely you are to start experiencing stomach pains and get problems with diarrhea. Anorexics who often overuse senna commonly present with such problems.
Prolonged overuse of senna can lead to organ failure as well. Therefore, use should be limited.
In the Final Analysis
If you have constipation, however, you may want to try senna. You should not let fear dissuade you from using it. You simply need to weigh the benefits versus the risks and drawbacks to decide whether senna is for you. Be sure, however, to get as much information as possible beforehand. This may require you get your physician involved—especially if you take prescription drugs that might negatively interact with your senna leaf tea.