Senna Pods

Senna pods are the dried fruits of cassia acutifolia, the pods are black or brown or greenish-brown in colour, broadly oblong, very flat legumes, curved and rounded at each extremity. They vary from 3 to 6 centimetres in length and from 2 to 2.5 centimetres in width, and contain several flat, obovate-cuneate seeds. Senna pods are milder in their effects than the leaflets, as the griping is largely due to the resin, and the pods contain none, but have about 25 per cent more cathartie acid and emodin than the leaves, without volatile oil. Parts used: Dried leaves, pods and senna stem. Constituents: Senna contains hydroxyanthracene glycosides known as sennosides. These glycosides stimulate colon activity and thus have a laxative effect. Senna pods contain many anthraquinone compounds, including dianthrone glycosides, which make up 1.5 to 3 percent of the herb. Senna pods is a strong anthraquione containing purgative that is used only in acute constipation.. Action