Senna

Last Updated: November 18, 2022

Senna alexandrinais a plant containing sennosides, which are laxatives. Nothing more special about Senna root or Sennosides, they just are very effective at clearing your bowels and are at a level of potency where they are sometimes given before a colonoscopy.

Senna is most often used for

What else is Senna known as?
Note that Senna is also known as:
  • Senna Alexandrina
  • Daio
  • Senna Alexandrina
Dosage information

In accordance with clinical usage, the correct dose is the "lowest dose required to produce the desired effects (soft-formed and comfortable stool)". This is either 1-2g of the powdered extract or fruit usually standardized to 10-30mg active Sennosides.

Higher doses are used only if the aforementioned lower dose is not effective (it should be noted that senna alexandria is a delayed laxative unlike the immediate effects of caffeine and it may take a few hours to assess whether a dose is effective or not).

Senna alexandria tends to be taken prior to bed in order to time its laxative effect with a morning bowel movement.

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