Dried leaflets of Cassia senna L. (C. acutifolia Delile), (Alexandria senna), or of C. angustifolia Vahl (India or Tinnevelly senna), Leguminosae. Habit. Egypt and neighboring districts, Southern India (Tinnevelly). Constit. Sennosides A and B; glucosides of rhein and chrysophanic acid: Becker, Planta Med. 7, 390 (1959); Fairbairne, ibid. 12, 260 (1964). Prepn of senna powder: Friedmann, Ryan, GB 832017 (1960 to Westminster Labs.); Corran, GB 852343 (1960 to C. E. Fulford); Baetz, DE 1158211 (1963 to Ludwig Heumann). Incompat: Mineral acids, carbonates, infusion cinchona, lime water, salts of heavy metals, tartar emetic.
Cathartic.
Laxative/Cathartic