shopping Senna - all 3 varieties
Senna leaf, powder image
[ 2001 ]Senna alexandrina

Senna Leaf Powder

1/4 Pound:  $2.19$1.86 Pound:  $4.87$4.14 
Senna leaf, whole image
[ 377 ]Senna alexandrina

Senna Leaf Whole

1/4 Pound:  $2.42 Pound:  $5.37 
Senna pods, whole image
[ 546 ]Senna alexandrina

Senna Pods Whole

1/4 Pound:  $3.56 Pound:  $7.92 
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Wholesale Senna

Senna alexandrina
plant overview
egyptian fruit and bean

Senna is the name for a genus of plants in the bean family that contains more than 300 different species. Alexandrian Senna is an attractive species that occurs naturally in the Nubian region of Egypt and is cultivated in India, Somalia, and Sudan. What is senna leaf? The senna leaf powder and senna pods of the plant contain a variety of glycosides that are collectively referred to as sennosides. These compounds are known to produce laxative effects. In fact, in the U.S., senna is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a nonprescription laxative. Although both senna pods and leaves are traditionally used to produce senna pods tea, tisanes, and tonics to counter constipation, preparations made from the pods are gentler. Senna leaf bulk can be purchased in ¼ and full pound quantities.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on senna

description
Senna alexandrina is a shrubby plant and a member of the Fabaceae family.

Senna's pale-green, branched, erect stem and long spreading branches grow up to 0.5–1 meters in height. The branches bear four or five pairs of leaves that form feathery, complex, mutual pairs. The leaflets vary in number from 4 to 6 pairs; they are fully edged, with a sharp top. At the base of these leaflets the midribs are equally divided.

Senna's flowers are produced in a raceme interior blossom; they are large in size, and are colored yellow that tends to brown. There are about six seeds in its fruit. The fruit is a legume which is horned, broadly oblong, compressed and flats.

common names & nomenclature
In the past, Alexandria, Egypt was the main trade port. Senna's fruit and leaves were transported from northern African locales such as Nubia and Sudan to Alexandria. Senna has additional the common names Alexandrian Senna and Egyptian Senna because of this history.

Also known as:
khartoum senna, india senna, egyptian senna, alexandrian senna, tinnevelly senna, cassia officinalis, east indian senna, séné de la palthe

Senna, the Egyptian fruit and bean

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for senna

Senna alexandrina grows natively in upper Egypt, especially in the Nubian region, and near Khartoum (Sudan). It is also grown elsewhere, notably in India and Somalia.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting senna

climate
Senna grows in sun to part shade in thickets, on dry roadsides, other disturbed areas, as well as sandy fields and open woods.

soil
Senna succeeds in most well-drained soils but prefers an open sandy loam.

growing
Scarify and then pre-soak the seed for 2-3 hours in warm water before sowing. Sow seeds in a warm greenhouse from early spring to early summer. The seed usually germinates in 1-12 weeks at 23°C. Transplant out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse. Do not plant them out until the following spring.

harvesting
Senna leaves are harvested twice yearly. Typical harvest months are April and September. Senna pods are harvested in the autumn, both herbs and pods are dried for later use.

preserving
Store dried senna pods, dried senna leaf and powdered senna leaf in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

additional information

Formulas & recipes
How to use senna pods
Like most herbs, there are many ways to use and ingest senna pods. The pods can be used to make teas, tonics, and infusions. Senna pods benefits the bowel system especially, it is considered one of the most effective natural laxatives.

How to prepare senna leaf tea
-Put ½ teaspoon of senna leaf into a tea bag
-Pour boiled water over the tea bag
-Let steep for 10 minutes
-Add honey and enjoy

for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised:  Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.