Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alexandrian senna (Cassia senna) has a long history of traditional use as a stimulant laxative, primarily for the treatment of constipation. Its active compounds, known as sennosides, act on the colon to enhance peristalsis and promote bowel movements. In the context of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), senna has been traditionally used to help manage the constipation-predominant subtype (IBS-C). There is historical precedent for this use in both traditional medicine and in older Western herbal pharmacopoeias, where senna is recommended as a remedy for occasional constipation, including in IBS when constipation is the main symptom.

However, scientific evidence supporting senna’s use specifically for IBS is limited. Most clinical studies of senna focus on its efficacy as a short-term remedy for simple constipation rather than IBS per se. While senna is effective at inducing bowel movements, it can cause cramping, discomfort, and, with long-term use, potential dependency or electrolyte imbalance. Major guidelines for IBS management recommend osmotic laxatives or fiber as first-line therapies for constipation, with stimulant laxatives like senna being reserved for refractory cases due to their side effect profile.

In summary, while Alexandrian senna is traditionally used to support bowel regularity in individuals with constipation, including those with IBS-C, there is insufficient scientific validation for its use specifically in IBS. Its role is primarily as a traditional remedy rather than a scientifically endorsed treatment for IBS.

More about Alexandrian senna
More about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Other ingredients used for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

2'-Fucosyllactose
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alexandrian senna
Algae
Aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anise
asafoetida
atractylodes
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bayleaf
belleric myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bitter principals
black salt
blackberry
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bran
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cannabidiol
chen pi
chia seed
chlorella
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
coriander
cumin
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
dragonhead
Enterococcus
enzyme blend
fennel
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fig
flaxseed
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Fumaria parviflora
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
ginger
Glucooligosaccharides
green banana
green tea
guar gum
hemicellulose
holarrhena antidysenterica
hyssop
Indian coraltree
Indian frankincense
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kluyveromyces marxianus
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Leuconostoc
locust bean gum
lovage
Lysimachia
Malva sylvestris
Marshmallow
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Methylcellulose
Mucilage
Nardostachys
oat
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
Phellodendron
Pimpinella
Plectranthus amboinicus
plum fruit
pomegranate
Portulaca
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
psyllium
quercetin
quince
resveratrol
rhubarb
Rhus coriaria
Rubus
Saccharomyces boulardii
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sanguisorba
Savory
senna
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
turmeric
Viburnum
vitamin D
White oak
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by Alexandrian senna

Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Digestion (poor)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Products containing Alexandrian senna

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.