Cassia angustifolia, commonly known as Tinnevelly senna or senna, is an herbal laxative. Tinnevelly senna gets its name from a city in India, the country from which the medicinal shrub originates. Manufacturers harvest the leaves and fruits of the senna plant for use in capsules, teas and other anti-constipation products. Senna products may also come from the Cassia acutifolia shrub, known as Alexandrian senna, which is cultivated in Egypt and the Sudan. Both share similar active ingredients and are used interchangeably.
Constipation
Tinnevelly senna is primarily marketed for constipation relief. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration approves the use of senna to be used to treat constipation in adults and children over 2. Always ask your doctor if senna is the most appropriate treatment for constipation. Senna is considered a short-term measure for treating constipation, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Most constipation is short-term and don't require prescription medication, but chronic constipation can lead to damage to anal tissue. See your doctor if constipation continues after taking senna or other over-the-counter medicines.
Colonoscopy Preparation
Your doctor will likely indicate the need for a colon-cleansing treatment before you have a colonoscopy. The procedure is used to screen for colon cancer or to diagnose symptoms such as abdominal pain or rectal bleeding. In order for your doctor to perform an effective examination, it's necessary to remove as much waste as possible from the colon and rectum. Laxatives such as Tinnevelly senna are often part of the pretest procedure that includes a specialized diet and enema treatment. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that other medications, such as polyethylene glycol or sodium phosphate, may provide more effective colon cleansing.
Other Uses
According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, other conditions for which Tinnevelly senna is associated include weight loss, hemorrhoids and irritable bowel disease. Senna does not shrink existing hemorrhoids. But because hemorrhoids can occur as a result of constipation, treating the constipation with senna may indirectly prevent future hemorrhoids. All laxatives form a health risk if abused, warns Drugs.com. Aside from dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and nutrition depletion, laxative abuse can "teach" your body to depend on laxatives in order to eliminate solid waste.
Recommended Amounts
Follow your doctor's directives about how much Tinnevelly senna to take, or follow package directions. Standard recommendations are for constipation relief. Your child's pediatrician may suggest an 8.5 mg dose of senna each day until one bowel movement has been achieved. Standard dosage for children over 12 and adults is 17.2 mg, and 17 mg for older adults. New mothers who take senna for post-labor constipation generally take two divided doses of up to 28 mg, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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