Some of the most important health benefits of Alexandria Senna include its ability to stimulate the digestive tract, detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, protect against effects of the sun, improve the strength of your immune system, and increase the health of your skin.
What is Alexandria Senna?
Alexandria senna is one of the common names of Senna Alexandrina, [1]a plant frequently used in herbalism that is native to North Africa, although it is no grown commercially in other countries, such as India. This plant has large flowers and legume fruits that are both highly desirable for their health benefits. In fact, one of the other common names of this plant is Egyptian senna, because of what an important product it is in Egyptian ports to this day. The flowers, fruits, and leaves can be dried for later use. The medicinal benefits of this plant have been known for thousands of years.
The active ingredients in Alexandria senna include a number of unique acids that have a range of effects on the human body. Some of these organic compounds include Chrysophanic acid and Cathartic acid, among other uncommon components. While the range of uses is relatively narrow, and in traditional times, almost exclusively included purgative treatments, the powerful effects of the plant are being used in many new ways. Alexandria senna can be brewed in a tea, the pods can be infused with water, or extracts can be taken from the plant parts to also induce its effects. Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at the health benefits of Alexandria senna.
Alexandria senna is an ornamental plant with beneficial properties. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Health Benefits of Alexandria Senna
Health benefits of Alexandria senna includes:
Laxative Properties
Perhaps the most well-known use of Alexandria senna, and the use for which it has been known for thousands of years, is as a laxative substance. It can help to loosen up the stool and induce excretion, which can help significantly for people suffering from severe constipation. Constipation can be very dangerous for the gastrointestinal system, so herbalists often turn to Alexandria senna to solve that problem! [2]
Purgative
The foul taste of Alexandria senna and its almost instantaneous effect on the stomach can also induce vomiting. For people who have consumed something toxic or need to essentially clear their stomach out in a hurry, Alexandria senna can help very quickly. This detoxifying effect, although quite extreme, can be helpful for clearing out the stomach, while the powerful laxative effects can clear out your colon. Essentially, Alexandria senna gives your body a complete cleanse. This can be very effective rather than the powerful drugs typically prescribed before a colonoscopy. For other medicinal uses, mixing senna with cloves, cinnamon, or other strong-tasting herbs can counter this nauseating effect. [3]
Parasite Cleaning
In many parts of the world, parasites are still a major threat to public health. The laxative effects of Alexandria senna are also anthelmintic, meaning that it helps to eliminate any worms or parasites in the gut. [4]
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Aside from its laxative properties, it can also help to soothe inflammation for people suffering from hemorrhoids. By softening stool to such a degree, it prevents painful bowel movements, which might often happen for those with anal fissures or severe hemorrhoids. [5]
Promotes Weight Loss
Some research suggests that Alexandria senna is able to prevent the absorption of calories into the blood due to how quickly it causes food to pass through the body. While this is certainly not a healthy long-term solution for weight loss, it can result in rapid weight loss over a short period of time. [6]
Boosts Immunity
A paste made of Alexandria senna can be applied to the skin to alleviate a wide range of skin irritation conditions, including psoriasis, acne, eczema, and pimples. There is an antibacterial element to Alexandria senna which boosts the immune system against these types of conditions. [7]
Protects Your Hair
Some of the compounds in Alexandria senna bind to the keratin in your hair, thereby protecting it from ultraviolet radiation to keep it looking healthy and strong as you age. [8]
A Final Word of Warning
The powerful nature of senna makes it appealing for certain conditions, but it should only be used on a limited and infrequent basis. Prolonged use can cause a dangerous electrolyte imbalance in your body, which can threaten many other systems. Be sure to monitor your use of Alexandria senna and speak to a medical professional about any chronic disorders you may be suffering that requires you to use Alexandria senna so often.
