Cassia angustifolia: characteristics, uses and medicinal properties

senna alexandrite

Many people have trouble going to the bathroom and suffer from constipation. There are totally natural medicinal plants that can combat many of the diseases or injuries that we do. Among them, today we find Cassia agustifolia. It is an herb of Arab origin that is well known for its natural laxative and diuretic properties. It is possible to help with the pains of occasional constipation and eliminate it completely.

In this article we are going to analyze this plant in detail and we will know all its properties and contraindications. Do you want to learn more about Cassia angustifolia? Keep reading, because this is your post.

Key features

Cassia properties

Cassia angustifolia has various chemical compounds that help increase its medicinal value and healing properties. Among the chemical compounds we find tannins, flavonoids, resins, mucilage and malic acid. These chemicals help us to eliminate the atonic and spastic constipation that sometimes occurs in the large intestine. Mainly it is the lack of fiber in our diet that causes these problems or poor hydration of the body.

On this floor we find properties laxatives, diuretics, detoxifiers and purifiers that make it really useful with many common diseases. It is also known by the name of senna.

This herb needs to grow in a tropical climate where the temperatures are quite high as well as the humidity. The places where it is most prevalent are India, Egypt, Sudan and Nubia. It is a plant with a length of between 60 and 120 centimeters. Among its leaves we can observe forms composed of 4 to 7 pairs of opposite leaflets and oval pods. It is precisely these leaves that have the medicinal properties that we have mentioned above.

Properties and medicinal uses of Cassia angustifolia

Cassia angustifolia flowers

This plant has been used since ancient times to treat many ailments. Among the main uses we find:

  • Mainly, it is really helpful in eliminating the symptoms of constipation.
  • It was used to treat diseases such as anemia, high fevers, hemorrhoids, and bronchitis. With being able to treat these diseases, Cassia angustifolia made a great niche for itself in the world of medicine.
  • It is ideal for people who have dermatitis or skin wounds from rubbing or bumps.
  • For people who suffer from continuous acne and are tired and not knowing what it is doing, senna brings us the solution. If mixed with a little ginger can be very effective in treating these skin disorders. They are also used to treat eczema and pimples.
  • To lose weight it can also be useful as it has diuretic properties. It is essential to eliminate that excess fluid that we have in the body.

To know when and how to take it, you have to know a few things. The most common way is to take a preparation sold in health food stores and other shops. When we ingest it, we can notice the strong bitter taste it has, to the point that, when we take it alone, it can cause cramps or discomfort in the abdomen.

To avoid these pains it is best to combine it with other herbs as it is ginger, fennel, good grass or some pieces of orange peel or coriander. In addition to reducing pain in the intestine and stomach, we will make the taste something more delicious.

It is best to take it before going to sleep to have the effects the next day. Depending on the person, it can start to take effect after 4 hours or take up to 12.

How do you prepare

Cassia angustifolia fusions

Senna has to be taken, as we have mentioned, before going to sleep. The maximum concentration in the body is usually between 0,6 and 2 grams per day. They are also sold in tablets and syrups, although it is best as an infusion.

We are going to explain how to prepare an infusion using its leaves. Before this preparation, the maximum dose must be taken into account and always adjusted low. Although the concentration of Cassia angustifolia is low, we will easily notice the effects. For it, We use 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried senna leaf for every cup of boiling water.

To avoid stomach aches, it is best to mix it with honey, sugar, anise, chamomile, mint, ginger, coriander or fennel. In addition to reducing discomfort, it is good to increase its flavor. With just one cup a day you can eliminate your symptoms of constipation.

In the use of Cassia angustifolia we find some main contraindications. Among them we find the aforementioned side effects and an additional aspect of toxicity. It is always recommended to use it under the use and supervision of a doctor. It is best to use it only when you have occasional constipation and to try by all means the upset stomach and cramps that the infusions produce.

If it is taken in high doses or for a long term we can find health problems. Taking senna for more than two weeks is not recommended. This is because if we prolong its use long enough we will be deteriorating the natural function of the intestine and we will be causing a dependence on laxatives. In addition, it can cause destabilization in some chemical compounds in the blood such as electrolytes and cause some disorders in heart function or muscle weakness.

Some curiosities

cassia angustifolia

As we have seen, Cassia angustifolia has great properties, but we have to be careful with some contraindications. Now, we are going to know some facts and curiosities about it.

  • It is known by the name of senna from Egypt.
  • It belongs to the leguminous family.
  • It has been widely used in ancient times as a purgative. In fact, the first time it was used and is known from records was in the XNUMXth century BC. C.
  • It is considered an important medicinal herb in China as a tradition.
  • Its effects and efficacy have been scientifically corroborated and tested in both humans and animals.
  • It is approved by the WHO to serve as a medicine for occasional constipation.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about Cassia angustifolia.


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  1.   cecika said

    Is there a cassia angustifolia plant in Chile ???