Senna is a natural herb commonly used for its laxative properties. It is an ingredient in several commercial laxative products such as Ex Lax and Senokot. Senna leaves and pods contain compounds called anthraquinones, which are powerful laxatives. Anthraquinones are categorized as stimulant laxatives. They work by aggravating the lining of the lower intestinal tract and causing contractions which gives us the "urge to go" and push out waste. Anthraquinones also absorbs more water, producing a softer stool that makes it easier to pass. Senna laxatives may take 6 hours to 12 hours to work.
Senna should not be used for more than seven consecutive days unless under a doctor's care. Over use can cause lazy bowel syndrome, which causes your body to forget how to produce a bowel movement on its own without the use of more laxatives. Do not use senna or other anthraquinones if you have hemorrhoids, blood vessel disease, stomach ulcers, diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or any inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal disorders.
Dried senna has an extremely bitter and unpleasant taste. It can also cause painful intestinal cramping due to muscle contractions. It is recommended to combine stimulant herbs such as senna with tasty ones like peppermint, ginger, and fennel, and licorice. In addition to giving senna a more pleasant taste, it relaxes the intestines, lessens the effects of cramping and make senna more tolerable to take. Senna can be found as capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and dried root. There are also food recipes containing senna that can "get you going."
Senna and Prunes
Boil one ounce of senna leaves gently in one quart of water. Strain off leaves and simmer liquid with one pound of prunes until all or most of liquid has been absorbed. Eat one to three prunes every two to three nights.
Senna Bars
In a food processor mix the following ingredients:
12 oz. raisins
12 oz. dates
12 oz. prunes
8 oz. figs
2 oz. senna leaves or ground senna (in health food stores).
Spread in a greased 8"x12" pan and press down the mixture, about an inch deep. Top with graham cracker crumbs. Cut into 1 x 1 inch bars. Try 1 bar a day to start. You may be able to reduce to 1/2 bar later on. The bars can be frozen.
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