senna

The dried leaflets or legumes of Cassia acutifolia (Alexandrine s.) and C. angustifolia (Tinnevelly or Indian s.); a laxative. [Ar. sena]

* * *

sen·na 'sen-ə n

1) any plant of the genus Cassia esp one used medicinally

2) the dried leaflets or pods of various sennas (esp. Cassia acutifolia and C. angustifolia) used as a purgative

* * *

n.

the dried fruits of certain shrubs of the genus Cassia, used as a stimulant laxative to relieve constipation. It is administered by mouth; side-effects do not usually occur, but severe diarrhoea may follow large doses. Trade name: Senokot.

* * *

sen·na (senґə) any plant of the genus Cassia. Some are sources of the medicine senna; the seeds of C. occidentalis (coffee senna) are poisonous, causing muscle degeneration and sometimes fatal cardiomyopathy in cattle. [USP] the dried leaves of Cassia acutifolia (Alexandria senna) or C. angustifolia (India or Tinnevelly senna), used chiefly as a cathartic; its main active constituents are sennosides A and B.