Senna Leaf (Fan Xie Ye)

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Senna leaf (Fanxieye)

Pharmaceutical Name: Folium Sennae

Botanical Name: 1. Cassia angustifolia Vahl. 2. Cassia acutifolia Delile

Common Name: Senna leaf

Source of Earliest Record: Yaoxue Dacidian

Part Used: The leaves are gathered in September and cleaned and dried in the sun.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet, bitter and cold

Meridians: Large intestine

Therapeutic Effects:
To purge feces downward

Indications:
Constipation. Senna leaf (Fanxieye) is used alone, or it is used with Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) and Magnolia bark (Houpo).

Dosage: 1.5-3 g for mild constipation. 3-10 g for severe constipation

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated during menstruation, lactation and pregnancy.