Senna tea is simply tea made from the senna plant, the same active ingredient in many stimulant laxatives. It has the same laxative properties, but it's very difficult to know exactly how much senna you get in each cup because of variations in brewing time, dilution and the amount of tea in each tea bag. Still, the tea form of senna can be a viable alternative to senna laxative pills in some situations. Like any laxative though, long-term use can cause dependence and the active ingredient may be inappropriate for people with certain chronic conditions. Consult your doctor for more information.
More Comfortable Administration
If swallowing pills is difficult or impossible for you, senna tea may be easier to take than a laxative pill. It's definitely more comfortable to use than a laxative suppository, and the taste is not as objectionable as many liquid laxative formulas. You also have control over the strength -- a shorter brew time results in a milder, weaker laxative, while a longer brew time leaves you with a stronger, more bitter brew.
Hydration
Laxatives can cause dehydration in two ways. First, they draw water from the tissues surrounding the intestines to help lubricate the stool for easier passage. Second, once the stool finally passes, it can lead to a short bout of diarrhea, which causes fluid loss -- this happens more often when a high dose is used and can lead to electrolyte imbalances, so always follow the dosing instructions on the product. Laxative dosing instructions always tell you to drink 8 oz. of water upon administration, but this is not necessary when taking senna tea because the tea is made with water. A standard cup of tea contains about 8 oz. of water, which you ingest automatically with the senna.
Effective
A 2005 study published in the journal "Investigative Radiology" found that senna tea was more effective than erythromycin for triggering movement through the large intestine. Senna irritates the intestinal wall, causing contractions that help push stool through until it passes. Warm water also helps stimulate a bowel movement, so combining the two in senna tea can be very effective. The senosides in senna tea may interact with medications, so consult your doctor before use.
No Blockage
Bulk-forming laxatives like psyllium are also available as a beverage, but these can cause difficulty breathing or even an intestinal blockage if you don't drink enough water with them. Bulk-forming laxatives expand in the body to add mass to the stool, which may help move it through. But if you don't drink enough water, these laxatives can clog up the works and become part of the problem rather than the solution. Because senna tea stimulates the bowels directly, there is no danger of this occurring. Senna tea does have its own side effects though, including skin rash, muscle cramps, fatigue and irregular heartbeat.
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