Senna tea’s long been a go-to product for constipation relief, but it’s also been lauded as a way to detox or lose weight.
While its laxative effects are great to get your poops poppin’, there’s no scientific evidence supporting that sipping senna can help you shed pounds.
If senna tea’s piqued your curiosi-TEA, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know.
You’ve prob seen ads touting senna for its poo-promoting and pound-shedding properties. But what the heck is it? Well…
Senna is an herb that comes from the leaves, flowers, and fruit of the Cassia plant. You can usually get it as an over-the-counter (OTC) tea or supplement.
It’s most often used as a laxative or stimulant. But some companies market it as a way to detox or lose weight (we’ll get into those claims in a minute).
Dealing with constipation? Senna tea’s got your back when you’re backed up. It gets things moving thanks to its primary active compounds, known as senna glycosides or sennosides.
Sennosides are broken down by gut bacteria, which irritates the cells in your colon. This helps create a laxative effect by promoting movement in your intestines.
PSA: Senna tea is only a temporary remedy. It should only be used for no more than 1 to 2 weeks. If you find you’re still feeling plugged up, talk with your doctor.
Research shows that senna medications can be effective at relieving constipation, but senna tea does not have solid evidence yet to make the same claim.
Some peeps also use it to relieve hemorrhoids — swollen tissues and veins in your rectum that are often caused by chronic constipation. They can cause pain and itching and bleeding… oh my! While senna tea might help soothe these symptoms, more research is still needed in this area.
P.S. Thanks to its laxative superpowers, some folks use senna tea to de-poopify their bowels before a colonoscopy. Just talk with your doc first.
If you’re on social media, you’ve def scrolled past ads for tea-based detoxes, cleanses, and weight loss programs.
Lots of companies hail laxatives like senna tea as a great way to drop pounds. But there’s no evidence to support that senna tea is a safe or effective weight loss method. In fact, it might do more harm than good.
A 15-year study of over 10,000 women found a higher association between eating disorder diagnosis and laxative/diet pill use.
Long-term use can also lead to other dangerous health risks like laxative dependency and altered bowel function.
Remember, weight loss is a journey and there’s no easy fix. The best solution is to stick to a balanced diet and a healthy workout routine. It can take more time but it’s def safer than a fad “teatox diet.”
Generally, senna is safe to use. But there are some things to look out for:
- cramps
- diarrhea
- nausea
- dehydration
- nerve injury
- abdominal pain
- allergic reaction
- feeling weak or faint
- electrolyte disturbances
You should avoid senna product if you:
- have liver disease
- have heart disease
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
BTW, always talk with your doc before starting a new supplement regime or diet.
Senna’s a short-term remedy, not a long-term solution
Long-term senna tea can lead to dependency. Your body may start to rely on senna or other laxatives to poop. It can also lead to rectal bleeding, liver damage, or finger clubbing.
Certain meds and herbal supplements don’t play nice with senna and may negatively interact with it. These include:
- steroids
- diuretics
- horsetail
- estrogens
- licorice root
- blood thinners
- contraceptives
- certain heart meds
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Adults who take senna supplements should stick to 15 to 30 milligrams for 1 week max. But senna tea is a bit tricky.
Senna tea dosage depends on the blend — different blends have varying levels of senna. Be sure you stick to high quality senna tea and follow the instructions on the box.
How to make senna tea
Want to prep your tea from scratch? Heat up some hot water and steep 1 to 2 grams of dried senna leaves for 10 minutes.
Hot (tea) tip: If the taste of Senna isn’t your, erm, cup of tea, sweeten things up with stevia or honey 🍯!
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Senna tea is a popular way to relieve constipation, thanks to its effectiveness as a laxative. It’s also used to relieve hemorrhoid discomfort and to prep for colonoscopies.
It’s been marketed as a weight loss or detox method, but senna tea shouldn’t be used to lose weight.
Drinking senna tea has several side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Long-term use can lead to laxative dependence, rectal bleeding, or liver disease. Remember to talk with your doc before you get sippin’.
