Senna
Senna alexandrina
A Strong clinical evidenceA stimulant laxative for short-term relief of occasional constipation. No longer than 1 week; not for children under 12, in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim
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At a glance
The EMA classes senna leaf as "well-established use" for short-term relief of occasional constipation. It is a stimulant laxative: long-term use can lead to a sluggish bowel, laxative dependence and loss of water and electrolytes. It should only be used if a change of diet or bulk-forming fibre products are not enough.
Updated: October 15, 2026
✓ This herb record is backed by official European Medicines Agency (EMA HMPC) herbal monographs.
What is it used for?
A Strong clinical evidence
Strong clinical evidence: Supported by strong human clinical trials and well-established medicinal use monographs.
How do we rate evidence levels? →Effective for short-term relief of occasional constipation. [1]
How is it used?
Food
As a ready-made product providing 10–30 mg hydroxyanthracene derivatives per dose, taken at bedtime. Use the lowest dose that gives a comfortable soft stool.
Amount: Once daily; 2–3 times a week is usually enough
Duration limit: 1 week
[1]Safety & interactions
Minimum age: 12 years
Duration limit: 7 days
- Do not use for more than 1 week. If you need a laxative every day, the cause of constipation should be investigated.
- Do not use with bowel obstruction, appendicitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, abdominal pain of unknown cause or severe dehydration.
- Do not use in children under 12.
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- People with kidney disease may develop electrolyte imbalance.
Drug interactions
| Medicine / substance | Effect | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin), antiarrhythmics, QT-prolonging medicines | Low potassium from long-term use can increase their effects; ask a doctor first. [1] | Major |
| Diuretics, corticosteroids, liquorice root | May increase potassium loss; ask a doctor first. [1] | Moderate |
Side effects
- Abdominal pain, cramps and watery stools (especially with an irritable bowel); reduce the dose
- Allergic reactions such as itching, hives or rash
- Yellow or red-brown urine, which is not clinically significant
- With long-term use: discoloured bowel lining, loss of water and electrolytes
⚕ When to see a doctor
- If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
- If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
- If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs
Did you know?
Taking senna 2–3 times a week is usually enough; the EMA advises at most 1 week. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Does senna help with weight loss?
No. The EMA only accepts short-term use for occasional constipation; using it to lose weight risks water and potassium loss.
How long can senna be used?
At most 1 week. Taking it 2–3 times in that week is usually enough.
Can I take senna every day?
No. Long-term use can cause a sluggish bowel and laxative dependence.
When should senna be taken?
At bedtime, using the lowest dose that gives a comfortable soft stool.
Sources
- European Union herbal monograph on Senna alexandrina Mill. (Cassia senna L.; Cassia angustifolia Vahl), folium – Revision 1EMA HMPC · 2018
Cite This Page
Senna (Senna alexandrina). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/senna/
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