Overview
Senna is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. The leaf and pod of senna are powerful laxatives. It thrives in the dry and hot conditions of Gujarat and is especially good at purging dampness and heat. Ra-ja-vr. ks.a literally means ‘snake smell’.
How Senna Helps with Skin Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Senna has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:
- Potency (Virya): Cooling
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Pungent
- Taste (Rasa): Bitter, pungent
- Qualities (Guna): Dry, light, penetrating
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter, pungent
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry, light, penetrating
- Potency (Virya)
- Cooling
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent
- Dosha Effect
- Dos.aHIIHFW3.ï9
- Key Constituents
- Anthraquinone glycosides Sennosides, palmidin, aloe emodin Flavonoids Naphthalene glycosides Polysaccharides Mucilage Tannin (Williamson 2002)
- Dhatu
- Plasma, blood, fat
- Srotas
- Digestive, excretory, circulatory
▶ Classical Text References (1 sources)
Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), Svarnapatri (Cassia angustifolia, senna), Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus), Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice), Bala (Sida cordifolia), both Haridras (turmeric and daruharidra), Nagara (Zingiber officinale, dry ginger), Triphala, and Katurohi (Picrorhiza kurroa).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 18: Brain Tremor / Parkinsonism (Mastishka Vepana)
Compound formula: mild purgatives (trivrit, senna), anti-inflammatory herbs (turmeric, licorice), nerve tonics (bala), digestive stimulants (ginger), and hepatoprotectives (kutki, triphala).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 18: Brain Tremor / Parkinsonism (Mastishka Vepana)
Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), Svarnapatri (Cassia angustifolia, senna), Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus), Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice), Bala (Sida cordifolia), both Haridras (turmeric and daruharidra), Nagara (Zingiber officinale, dry ginger), Triphala, and Katurohi (Picrorhiza kurroa).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 17: Brain Tremor / Parkinsonism (Mastishka Vepana)
Compound formula: mild purgatives (trivrit, senna), anti-inflammatory herbs (turmeric, licorice), nerve tonics (bala), digestive stimulants (ginger), and hepatoprotectives (kutki, triphala).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 17: Brain Tremor / Parkinsonism (Mastishka Vepana)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 18: Brain Tremor / Parkinsonism (Mastishka Vepana); Parishishtam, Chapter 17: Brain Tremor / Parkinsonism (Mastishka Vepana)
Safety & Precautions
Contraindications: Inflammatory bowel disease,; intestinal obstruction, pregnancy; and lactation
Safety: It may reduce the absorption of iron. It may cause griping and should be used with appropriate antispasmodics. Laxatives containing anthraquinone glycosides should not be used at a high dose for more than 2 weeks at a time due to the potential risk of causing an electrolyte imbalance if diarrhoea is caused. Hence caution with cardiac glycoside medication, thiazide diuretics and concurrent hyperkalaemia from long-term laxative abuse, due to potential problems caused by further electrolyte imbalance (WHO 1999, Harkness & Bratman 2003).
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.