What Is Senna Tea?

Sipping it may have laxative effects

Senna tea is made from the leaves of the senna plant. The most commonly used species are Cassia acutifolia or Cassia angustifolia.

Studies have shown that senna can have laxative benefits. The active ingredients are compounds called anthraquinones, which are sennosides (agents that treat constipation). The use of senna has been discovered in ancient writings describing several effects, including laxative effects.

This article discusses the benefits of senna tea and how to prepare it. It also covers the side effects and any possible risks associated with long-term senna use.

Possible Side Effects of Drinking Senna Tea

Illustration by Nusha Ashjaee for Verywell Health

Uses of Senna

Multiple studies have tested the effects of senna in powder or capsule form. There are very few studies about the potential health benefits of drinking senna tea. Most of the research studies on the health benefits of senna focus on its possible use in the treatment of constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Supplemental use should be discussed with healthcare professionals such as registered dietitians, pharmacists, or doctors. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Constipation

Senna tea is most commonly used for occasional constipation. In a systematic review (a summary of medical literature on a specific topic) of 41 studies, evidence emerged supporting the use of senna as a first-line choice for use in constipation.

Researchers have found that the active compounds in senna have a strong laxative effect. They work by irritating the lining of the colon. This promotes colon contractions and bowel movements.

Senna also prevents water and electrolytes from being reabsorbed from the colon. This increases the amount of fluid in the intestines and softens the stool.

Adequate doses of senna can vary depending on the product and preparation. Long-term use is not recommended due to the risk of becoming dependent on senna to have a bowel movement. Liver damage also can occur, typically after senna use of three to five months.

Colonoscopy Prep

Senna has been used along with other agents (including probiotics) to clean the colon prior to a colonoscopy, a medical procedure used in screening for colon cancer.

Evidence reveals the use of senna, including premedication ahead of capsule colonoscopies (a visual inspection of the colon using a tiny, swallowed camera), can improve the cleansing of the colon.

Other Gastrointestinal Disorders

Senna is sometimes used for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). When looking specifically at irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), however, there is minimal research supporting the safe use of senna. More study of its use in IBS is needed.

What Are the Side Effects of Senna?

When senna is used as a short-term treatment of constipation, side effects are generally mild and limited. When taken for an extended period of time or in large amounts, senna may cause dependency or affect the liver.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of senna tea are:

In some cases, senna tea may be used for a longer period of time when a person is under the care of a healthcare provider. Be aware that when used for extended periods of time, senna may have more severe side effects.

People who may want to try senna should be aware of concerns about its use. They should stop taking the supplement if there are signs of side effects and report any signs of side effects to their healthcare provider.

Severe Side Effects

Long-term use of senna, as well as higher doses, have been linked to serious health problems. Severe side effects include:

Symptoms associated with liver damage when using senna include:

Most cases of liver damage will heal but permanent damage is possible. If you experience signs of severe side effects, stop taking the supplement and report these signs to a healthcare provider.

Precautions

Do not take senna tea without first discussing it with a healthcare provider if you have:

If you have any type of liver condition, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before using senna. Likewise, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, seek a provider's advice before using senna tea.

Senna may interact with certain drugs and supplements. Taking senna with diuretics (water pills, which rid the body of salt and water), for instance, may cause potassium levels in the body to be unbalanced. It also may interact with steroid medications.

Dosage: How Much Senna Should I Take?

Senna tea is widely available in health food stores, vitamin shops, and online. There is no standardized dose. When researchers have studied it for the treatment of general constipation, the usual dose is 15 milligrams (mg) daily. In older adults, 17 mg daily has been used. For constipation during pregnancy, it may be safe.

With senna, though, it can be hard to know how much you're getting in a cup of tea and how it will affect you. Many tea sellers list the use of a "proprietary blend" on their product labels. They do not list the amount of each herb in the tea, so you have no way of knowing how much senna it is.

It would still be hard to know the exact dose found in your cup of tea, even if you know the amount of senna in a product. Steeping time and temperature can change the amount of senna released into the brew.

If you still want to try senna tea, keep in mind that it typically starts working within six to 12 hours after taking it. It is often taken prior to going to bed. This means that you are likely to feel the urge to have a bowel movement in the morning.

What's true about the use of one senna tea isn't always true of another. The amount of active ingredients varies from one product to the next. Some senna teas are blended with other herbs, like cascara sagrada or rhubarb, with laxative effects.

Interactions

Senna use can result in decreased levels of potassium. Diuretics can have the same effect on the body; so can other herbs, like licorice and horsetail taken with senna.

Also, because of its laxative properties, it is not recommended to take the heart medication digoxin along with senna. Doing so could increase the risk of side effects from digoxin. The effects of blood thinners like Jantoven (warfarin) can be increased for the same reason.

Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to ensure you understand the details and discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

Using senna for extended periods of time can lead to dependency. The intestine may not function properly and successful bowel movements may not occur without senna. Taking increased amounts of senna also can lead to liver toxicity.

Similar Supplements

Senna is known to have laxative effects. Supplements similar to senna share this same property. Some similar supplements are:

  • Aloe (a cactus-like plant)
  • Magnesium (mineral crucial to body functions)
  • Rhubarb (a perennial vegetable with fleshy, edible stalks)

Taking senna with these supplements can result in diarrhea and low potassium levels.

Sources of Senna and What to Look For

Senna is usually taken by mouth. It is available as chewable tablets, liquid, powder, or tea. Avoid taking multiple types of senna at the same time.

Senna is available over the counter (OTC, without a prescription) at drugstores, groceries, and nutrition stores. Senna tablets can also be found online. 

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. When choosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

Summary

Senna tea and other senna products are made from the leaves of the senna plant. Senna is widely available in many forms, such as tablets, liquid, powder, and tea.

Most of the research surrounding senna use for health purposes is around its laxative benefits. Anthraquinones, an active component of senna, are sennosides, which are used to treat constipation. While many studies have evaluated senna in powder or capsule forms, few have looked at the potential benefits of drinking senna tea.

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement. Supplements should never be used as a replacement for standard medical care. You should talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing constipation or other distressing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are some other natural alternatives to laxatives for treating constipation?

    A 2020 study found 14% of people used senna for constipation, with eating or adding more fiber (like psyllium) the most commonly used approach. Other options include improved fluid intake, regular exercise, probiotic use, and biofeedback for people with functional disorders of the bowel.

  • Is it OK to drink senna tea every day?

    Maybe not, based on precautions issued by the FDA for senna in capsule form. The concern is that long-term or frequent use of senna might interfere with normal bowel function.

  • What does senna tea taste like?

    It's been described as having a slightly sweet with bitter undertones, although the flavor is likely to vary based on the brand and added ingredients—and, of course, individual palates. As with any tea, adding a sweetener such as honey may mask the bitterness.

11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Dawn Sheldon, RN
Dawn Sheldon, RN, is a registered nurse and health writer. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and empowering others.

Originally written by Cathy Wong