Other Names: Egyptian Senna • Alexandrian Senna • Tinnevelly Senna • Cassia Senna
✨ Energetic & Astrological Profile
Element: Earth & Fire
Phase of the Moon: Waning Moon 🌘 (release, elimination)
Zodiac Signs: Virgo, Capricorn, Scorpio — and helpful for those under Cancer or Pisces, who feel stuck
Planets: Saturn, Mars
Tarot Cards:
🌪 8 of Cups – walking away, purging the old
🔥 Death – transformation, endings that make way for beginnings
🌿 The Devil – release from what binds or constipates (literally and figuratively)
🌍 Habitat & Sensory Nature
Senna is native to North Africa, especially the Nile region in Sudan and Egypt, but is now cultivated in India, Pakistan, and tropical zones worldwide. It thrives in dry, sunny climates and sandy soils.
Flavour: Bitter, slightly sweet, earthy
Temperature: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Tissue State Support: Damp stagnation, tension
🧬 Phytochemistry & Herbal Actions
Constituents:
- Anthraquinone glycosides (sennosides A–F)
- Mucilage
- Flavonoids
- Resins
Primary Actions:
Laxative (stimulating) • Cathartic • Vermifuge • Purgative • Digestive stimulant
💊 Medicinal Benefits
Senna doesn’t tiptoe. It gets the job done. This is a herb you reach for when the body says, “I’m holding onto too much” — physically and maybe even metaphorically.
🌿 Relieves Occasional Constipation
- The sennosides stimulate peristalsis (bowel movement), typically working within 6–12 hours
- Ideal for short-term use to relieve sluggish or difficult elimination
🌿 Digestive Reset
- Useful after illness, dietary imbalance, or emotional stress when digestion slows
- Often included in detox or “cleanse” formulas to flush accumulated waste
🌿 Parasite and Detox Support
- Traditionally used in anti-parasitic protocols and intestinal cleansing regimens.
- Helps clear old waste material that may harbour pathogens or toxins
This isn’t your daily tea herb — it’s the one you call in like a stern auntie when things have been... backed up.
🧘 Emotional & Energetic Benefits
Energetically, Senna is about letting go. She encourages emotional and physical purging, reminding you that holding on too long isn’t strength — it’s stagnation.
This herb is powerful for those who:
- Feel emotionally constipated or energetically “stuck”
- Need a clear-out to make space for new intentions
- Are clinging to old patterns, guilt, or heavy emotions
She’ll help clear the block — but she won’t hold your hand while you cry about it.
🧒 Child-Friendly Use
⚠ Use only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner for children. Extremely sensitive to dosing, and not recommended for young children unless absolutely necessary.
⚠️ Contraindications
⚠ Not for long-term use. It can weaken the bowels if overused.
⚠ Avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding unless directed by a professional
⚠ Do not use with abdominal pain of unknown origin
⚠ May cause cramping or griping — combine with soothing herbs like ginger, fennel, or chamomile
⚠ Can interact with diuretics or medications for the heart or liver
🧪 Dosage & Preparation
🌼 Tea (infusion or decoction): 1/2–1 tsp dried leaf or pods per cup of boiling water, steeped 10–15 min. Take before bed.
🌼 Tincture: 5–20 drops as needed, ideally at night.
🌼 Capsules/Tablets: Follow label guidance. Often found in combination with gut-soothing herbs.
🛒 Shop This Herb
Coming soon — balanced digestive blends featuring senna alongside gentler gut allies to help you cleanse without the chaos. Sign up to get notified when they drop.
🔮 Daz’s Diagnosis
Have you ever met someone who pulls up with a suitcase full of truth, no filter, and says, “Let’s get rid of the sh*t — emotionally and physically?” That’s Senna.
This herb is for the moments you know something’s got to go. Not forever — just a deep sweep, a clean slate. She's not gentle, but she's effective. Think of her as the broom for your internal room.
Use with respect. Release with intention. Then rest, hydrate, and start again.
Disclaimer: The information shared in these plant profiles is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The uses and properties described are based on traditional knowledge, folk practices, and historical sources. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner or clinical herbalist before using any herbs, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.
