Senna’s seed pods are used as a natural laxative.
The medicinal material called senna comes mainly from species in the Senna genus, especially Senna alexandrina. Its pods and leaves contain sennosides, compounds that stimulate movement in the colon and reduce water absorption, helping relieve occasional constipation.
Senna has a long history in herbal medicine. Alexandrian senna was cultivated in Egypt and Sudan, and its dried leaves and pods were historically transported through Alexandria to markets in Europe and Asia. The name “senna” can therefore refer both to the plant and to preparations made from it.
A common mix-up is assuming that every pod-bearing plant called cassia is medicinal senna. Cassia and Senna are closely related legumes, but their chemical content and uses differ. Senna is a stimulant laxative, not a general digestive tonic, and prolonged or excessive use can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or electrolyte problems.