Senna
Useful properties and uses of the Alexandrian leaf
Botanical characteristics of the Alexandrian leaf
The Alexandrian leaf (narrow-leaved cassia, senna) belongs to the legume family. The semi-shrub has an erect, branched stem. Leaves are compound, alternate. Their peculiarity lies in the presence of several pairs of lanceolate leaves (maximum - up to five pairs).
The Alexandrian leaf is characterized by bright yellow flowers. The flowers are collected in an axillary, racemose inflorescence. The fruits of the plant are flat beans with parchment flaps, which house 6 to 8 seeds. The medicinal plant blooms from June to September. The beans ripen in October.
In height, the Alexandrian leaf reaches no more than 1 meter.
The homeland of a wild plant is the driest places in the world - East Africa and the deserts of Asia. It should be noted that in the countries of South China, Central Asia, Pakistan and India, cassia angustifolia is considered a valuable medicinal plant.
On the territory of the Russian Federation, the Alexandrian leaf does not grow in the wild. It is grown artificially on specially equipped plantations.
Useful properties of the Alexandrian leaf
The Alexandrian leaf is a medicinal plant. Its leaves are considered especially valuable, they are most often used as medicinal raw materials. Some recipes use the fruit.
The leaves are harvested twice in one season: in August, as soon as the lower (root) leaves turn yellow, then after 1–1.5 months. They are laid out in a thin layer and dried thoroughly in the open air in the shade. Particular attention is paid to the storage of the leaves. A box made of cardboard or thick paper is considered ideal.
The fruits and leaves of the Alexandrian leaf are interesting for the content of anthraglycosides (sennidine, aloe-emodin), as well as flavonoids, anthra derivatives, alkaloids, resins, organic acids and phytosterols.
Alexandria leaf has a positive effect on the motor function of the large intestine, for this reason it is used as a laxative and choleretic agent. It is used in the form of infusions and decoctions for hemorrhoids, cracks in the anus, for some diseases of the liver and gallbladder. The beneficial properties of the medicinal plant are effective in acute conjunctivitis, pyoderma and various skin diseases.
The laxative effect after taking a decoction with Alexandrian leaf, as a rule, is observed on the second or third day of admission, but the first results will be noticeable no more than 6-8 hours later.
Official medicine offers herbal infusions, extracts, solid dosage forms and powders.
You can prepare the infusion at home, it is prepared as follows: 1 tablespoon of plant raw materials is poured with 1 glass of hot water, insisted for eight hours, filtered and taken 0.5 cups before bedtime.
The decoction recipe is simple and effective: 2 tablespoons of raw Alexandrian leaves must be poured with 1/4 liter of hot boiled water, soaked in a water bath for 30 minutes, cooled, filtered; by adding boiled water, bring the volume of liquid to the initial level. You should take 0.5 cups of medicinal broth in the morning and evening.
Contraindications to the use of the Alexandrian leaf
The range of application of the plant is quite wide, but before starting self-treatment, it is strongly recommended to consult a qualified specialist.
It is not recommended to take decoctions and infusions of Alexandrian leaf in case of exacerbations of inflammatory processes in the intestines, liver diseases, cystitis, imbalance of water and electrolyte metabolism, during pregnancy.
It is recommended to alternate the drug with other laxatives in order to prevent addiction.
Alexandria Slimming Leaf
Cassia Alexandria is effectively used to combat excess weight (including obesity), toxins, feces. Laxative teas made from it have been popular since ancient times. The herb of the Alexandrian leaf is known for the content of valuable biologically active substances (anthraglycosides), due to the laxative and antiseptic properties of which intestinal motility is enhanced, its motility is stimulated and, most importantly, the likelihood of fat absorption is significantly reduced. Food debris is easily and gently released from the intestines. The use of the Alexandrian leaf is effective and safe. Weight loss occurs due to the normalization of the intestines.
Taking a broth, you must remember that everything needs a measure. In large doses, such a medicine can lead to unpleasant consequences: due to the contained resins, irritation of the stomach and intestines, spastic pain, and intestinal dystrophy can occur.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
