|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Senna
(Cassia
angustifolia)
COMMON NAMES: American senna, locust plant, wild senna.
MEDICINAL PART: Leaves.
DESCRIPTION: American senna is a perennial plant that may reach a height of 4 to 6 feet in the rich soils of the eastern U.S. Where it grows. The stems are round and slightly hairy, with even-pinnate leaves on long petioles. Each leaf consists of 8 to 10 narrow, oblong, pointed leaflets. The yellow flowers appear in June to September and are borne in racemes. The seedpod is a legume, about two to 4 inches long.
PROPERTIES AND USES: Cathartic, diuretic, vermifuge. American; senna is an effective laxative and is much used by herbalists for that purpose, but usually in combination with other herbs since it tends to cause griping by itself. It is also combined with other anthelmintics to get rid of intestinal worms. If your friends are avoiding you lately, try the infusion as a mouthwash for halitosis and that bad taste in your mouth.
Senna is a valuable mild and effective laxative, sometimes causing griping, therefore should be combined with an aromatic herb. Excellent for worms, biliousness, halitosis (bad breath), and bad taste in the mouth. Most effective for worms when combined with other herbs indicated for worms.
PREPARATION AND DOSAGE: Gather leaves while the plant is in bloom.
Infusion: Use 1 tsp. leaves with 1 cup boiling water; steep for 1/2 hour. Take hot or cold, a mouthful 3 times a day or 1/2 cup before going to bed. Take no more that 2 cups total.
Tincture: The dose is 1/2 to 1 tsp.
