Drinking tea can provide various health benefits such as promoting heart health, aiding digestive problems like bloating and constipation, boost weight loss, and encourage sleep and relaxation. Senna is a shrub that commonly grows in Africa, the Middle East, and India. The herb comes from several flowering species of Cassia plants with its leaves, flowers, and fruits being used to make a folk remedy for centuries. But does drinking this senna tea today bring any health benefits?
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The History of Senna Tea
Native to Northern Africa, senna has been in use for hundreds of years. The first known medicinal use of senna leaves was in the 9th century A.D. when Arabian physicians used it as a purgative tea. Traditional Arabic and European medicines have since used dried senna leaves and pods to make laxatives to help treat constipation. Senna is still commonly used for that same purpose these days with many nonprescription over-the-counter laxatives featuring its extracts or leaves as the ingredient.
Over the years, senna has also been promoted as an ingredient for weight loss supplements due to its laxative and stimulant properties.
Health Benefits of Drinking Senna Tea
There have been several studies that have tested the effects of senna in powder and capsule forms. Though there are fewer studies regarding the potential health benefits of drinking senna tea, some proponents have suggested that it can promote detoxification and weight loss. Here are other benefits of what drinking senna tea can do for the body:
Alleviate Constipation
As it has been used for centuries, senna tea is still commonly used to treat occasional constipation. The active compounds in senna leaves have shown a strong laxative effect. They work by irritating the lining of the colon which then promotes contractions and bowel movements. Senna also prevents water and electrolytes from being reabsorbed, which increases fluids in the intestines thus softening the stool.
Heal and Prevent Hemorrhoids
Constipation is one of the causes of hemorrhoids, with senna tea being able to soften stool, it helps to prevent the aggravation of existing hemorrhoids which can then heal over time. With continued use, senna tea can also keep hemorrhoids from reappearing by preventing constipation.
Improve Gastrointestinal Conditions
Senna has natural anti-inflammatory properties due to a compound called resveratrol. Various products containing senna as the main ingredient have been prescribed to help with abdominal cramps and various gastrointestinal disorders where inflammation is a symptom.
Senna also contains natural enzymes that help in regulating bowel movements that can help prevent indigestion.
Promote Weight Loss
Senna leaves are used as a primary ingredient in most dieter’s teas. With its laxative and stimulant properties, senna tea can help reduce the appetite without disrupting other body systems and functions. Due to its effects on bowel movement, drinking senna tea promotes weight loss as food moves faster through the system. This means fewer calories get absorbed.
Senna leaves are also one of the main ingredients used in store-bought detox teas. These teas are known to flush out toxins and boosts weight loss. As senna tea works as a laxative, it also expels excess water weight, which makes one feel lighter and less bloated after going to the toilet.
Preparation for a Colonoscopy Procedure
Senna is also advised by physicians when an individual needs to go on a colonoscopy procedure. As a laxative, it said to be as effective as castor oil and bisacodyl for bowel cleansing. It effectively clears out the bowel from the intestines and the colon before the diagnostic test.
Health Risks of Drinking Senna Tea
Much like the use of dietary supplements and medicinal treatments, there are some precautions to take when drinking senna tea. While it seems to be effective as a short-term treatment for constipation, it shouldn’t be taken daily and for long term use due to its potential risks.
Side effects are generally mild and limited. Short-term use of senna tea can cause some discomfort, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. However, due to its ability to prevent reabsorption of water and electrolytes, drinking senna tea may also cause dehydration, as well as electrolyte disturbances and potassium deficiency that can aggravate existing conditions. It’s best to consult a doctor before taking senna, especially for those who have colon disorders, heart disease, and liver disease.
Senna tea may also interact with other medications such as blood thinners and diuretics, thus disrupting their efficiency. And finally, long term use of senna tea may also lead to laxative dependency and liver damage
Proper Dosage when Drinking Senna Tea
Senna and its extracts may be taken in several forms. Capsules and tablets containing 10mg to 60mg of senna are usually taken for 10 days. However, there’s no standardized dose for senna as several studies have shown different doses providing various effects.
Unlike capsules, it’s more difficult to control the dosage for senna tea. Even if the amounts of active compounds were listed, the steeping time could affect the dosage. In addition, the number of active ingredients may vary depending on the product.
It’s important to note that senna tea starts working within 6 to 12 hours after consumption. So there’s no need to drink more than a cup throughout the day. It’s recommended to drink senna tea before going to bed thus creating the urge to defecate in the morning.
On another note, not everyone responds to senna tea. If there are no noticeable changes or effects after taking the recommended amount, it’s not advised to increase the intake to avoid unwanted effects.
Recipes for Senna Tea
Senna tea can be slightly sweet, however, it has a lot of strong bitter undertones. It’s also not incredibly aromatic as other herbal teas. Because of this, some people mix senna tea with lemon or honey to improve its flavor. Other than drinking it as a beverage, there are more ways to enjoy senna tea.
Dried Fruit and Senna Leaf Balls
There are plenty of constipation remedies but they’re not always the most enjoyable to consume. It’s a similar case for senna tea which doesn’t taste like much and may not be palatable on its own for some people. Fortunately, senna tea can be mixed with various ingredients and become more of a treat.
Ingredients
¼ pound of figs, ¼ pound of prunes, ¼ pound of raisins, ¼ pound of dates, ½ ounce of dried senna leaves, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger root, ½ cup of coconut shreds
Tools
Food processor, plate, tray
Steps
1. Step 1: Mix all the fruit (except the coconut) and the senna tea leaves.
2. Step 2: Put it into the food processor and mix until it becomes a paste.
3. Step 3: Form the mixture into balls about one inch in size.
4. Step 4: Put the coconut shreds onto a plate and roll the balls until covered.
5. Step 5: Place the balls on a tray or in a container for storage. Enjoy!
Each ball is equivalent to one serving. While it is a tasty treat, avoid consuming more than one ball each day.
Best Senna Tea Brands
There are plenty of senna tea brands available in the market, each with its blend of active ingredients. Here are some of the best brands to try.
Traditional Medicinals Organic Smooth Move
Sourced primarily from family farmers in India’s Thar Desert, this brand offers a couple of senna tea flavors. Ease occasional constipation overnight with Original Senna that has a sweet and aromatic with notes of spiced orange, Senna Peppermint with a refreshing and earthy flavor with notes of sweet peppermint, and Senna Chamomile fresh and floral with notes of apple that will put you soundly to sleep.
Hyleys Slim Tea
Hyleys Slim Tea features 3 all-natural ingredients, namely green tea, senna leaves, and natural fruit flavor. Green tea promotes weight loss by supporting the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates, while senna leaves work as a gentle laxative. Hyleys Slim Tea comes in various flavors, including acai berry, blackberry, blueberry, goji berry, pomegranate, and raspberry.
GN+Vida Piñalim Diet Tea
GN+Vida diet teas come with a blend of pineapple, red tea, green tea, white tea, and senna leaf that help detox the body while supporting proper metabolism and promoting weight loss.
21st Century Slimming Tea
21st Century’s Herbal Slimming Tea features a blend of natural herbs that help increase metabolic activity and cleanse the system to aid in digestion and contribute to weight loss. Ingredients include senna leaves, malve leaves, panax ginseng, licorice root, natural honey lemon flavor, and benzyl benzoate. Enjoy hot or cold.
Buddha Teas Senna Tea
A natural infusion of pure senna leaves, this tea contains no artificial flavors or GMOs. They’re also packed in bleach-free bags. The brand also believes in living harmoniously with nature with its boxes being made from 100% recycled material.
Total Tea Caffeine Free Detox Tea
As mentioned earlier, drinking senna tea is advisable before going to bed, as it helps flush out what is left in the digestive system in the morning. This herbal tea detoxifies, soothes, and cleanses the digestive tract, and promotes weight loss by also increasing the metabolism. This senna based tea is infused with papaya, ginger, orange, peppermint, and cinnamon which gives a refreshing flavor that will also help curb your sugar cravings.
Zero Tea 14 Day Detox Tea
One of the most highly-rated detox/weight-loss tea in the market – this tea stimulates the body’s ability to process excess fats, blood circulation, and provide essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It contains senna tea and acts as a laxative that gently detoxes the digestive system, liver, and kidneys and supports the positive bacteria in the gut.
Though senna and its various forms have been used for centuries, there should still be some caution observed when taking it. Senna tea is approved by the FDA and is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for most people to use for short-term treatment but may cause unwanted effects when used long term.
Most recommendations advise users to drink senna tea on an occasional basis as a treatment for constipation or indigestion. For those who intend to use it for weight loss, it’s not recommended to drink senna tea for more than two weeks and it is not advisable to solely depend on the effects of senna tea to shed some weight.
Do note that senna tea works differently for people. If drinking senna tea hasn’t helped with constipation or if there are unexpected side effects, it’s best to consult a doctor on how to proceed with this great detox tea.
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