Senna
Senna
Senna (/ˈsɛnə/), from Arabic sanā (سنا), is a large genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. This diverse genus is native to tropical regions throughout the world, with a few species reaching into temperate regions.
Etymology
The name Senna is derived from the Arabic word "sanā", which refers to a group of plants that have been used for their laxative properties for centuries.
Description
Senna plants are typically shrubby or tree-like in nature, with pinnate leaves and yellow or occasionally white flowers. The fruit is a legume pod containing several seeds.
Uses
Senna is most commonly known for its medicinal properties. The leaves and the fruit of the plant are used to make medicine. Senna is an FDA-approved nonprescription laxative. It is used to treat constipation and also to clear the bowel before diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy.
Related Terms
- Anthraquinone: A type of compound found in senna that has laxative effects.
- Constipation: A condition that senna is often used to treat.
- Colonoscopy: A diagnostic test for which senna is often used to prepare the bowel.
- Fabaceae: The family of plants to which senna belongs.
- Caesalpinioideae: The subfamily of plants to which senna belongs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Senna
- Wikipedia's article - Senna
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski