Does anyone have experience using tea made from Senna leaves/pods?

Question

I have a tea that I use to regulate my bowel movements. It works very well. Does anyone here have experience or comments concerning its use? I have had no side effects so far and have used the tea for over a year now. I don't like laxitives you buy in the store. The tea I use is from Thailand. Thanks for any comments.

Answer 1

Senna is such a great tea for that reason. Though its one of them teas you should use with caution, long term use can be bad. Try and add more fiber to the diet, lots of veggies, fruit, whole meal grains, lentils and beans. 80% of the diet should be based on these foods. Other things you can try is 1 tsp of psylium husk and slippery elm powder in a glass of water and make sure you drink at least 2 liters of water a day.

Answer 2

Senna is a well known natural Laxative.  The problem with using it constantly for so long is that your metabolism has probably adjusted to it, and it has by now most probably become dependant on it for regular bowel movements.  If i where you I would start to wean my self out of it slowly.  Try eating adding some psyllium husks (which is also natural) to your cereal or eating more pitted fruits and drink the tea sparingly in order to re adjust your bowel habits.

Answer 3

The trouble with using an herbal based item like the tea is that the amount of active ingredient can vary from plant to plant, month to month, and year to year.  It's also not a real good idea to consistently take a laxative of any sort, not even the all natural sorts.   While occasional use of them is one thing, regular use overrides the body and you reach a point where the colon doesn't function without it.  It also tends to take more and more to get the same effectiveness.  Regulation of the bowel is a lot safer done using something the body uses naturally, like fiber- specifically water soluble and insoluble fiber.  They do have that, psyllium husk drinks that dissolve in water that you then drink, which is a lot better for you in the long run.  Actually, eating whole grain foods and plenty of fruits and veggies is the absolute best.  I'd also be a little leary of an herbal prep made in the far east.  The rules about the preparation are not the same as found in other places, and there is no way you can be sure of what ever else it may contain.  I'm sure there are plenty of conscientous suppliers in those areas, but it only takes one dishonest source to make problems.  And you would be hard put to take action against them in any case.  If you simply must use senna laxatives, the safest I know of is Senakot, a commercial prep available in most health food shops.  As far as something you would eat, flax seed will well, and you only need about a tablespoon of that- sprinkled onto cereal, salads or whatever you like.