Senna as laxative - natural and safe or dangereous?


Senna is an herb that is considered natural. Laxative properties of the herb are for what it is used most in the market right now. But is it safe to use this herb as a natural laxative? What are the long-term effects on the colon after regular use of senna and other stimulant laxatives for constipation relief?


Senna, or cassia angustifolia, is a shrub-like plant whose leaves and pods are used in many OTC constipation remedies. Senna contains several chemicals that contribute to its laxatives effects – anthraquinones as well as sennosides A & B (rhein dianthrones) and sennosides C & D (aloe-emodin derivatives). What does the research say about these compounds?


Senna as a laxative – natural solution or cause for concern?

  • A study in 1993 found that Senna extract and sennosides C and D were genotoxic when exposed to rat cells in vitro. Genotoxic means that the senna caused chromosomal changes to the cells – a risk factor for developing cancer. Other studies have investigated this claim and come back with varying results. Some point to Senna as only weakly genotoxic while others claim that in order to increase tumor growth, a very high dosage is required – more than a normal human would take. Still, is it worth the risk?
  • When used in combination with DMH in a rat study, senna led to increased aberrant crypts, which are predictors of cancerous tumors. This study also examined constipation remedies like cascara sagrada and had a similar finding.
  • In 2005, a case study of a woman who drank tea made from senna was published. The woman suffered severe liver failure as well as kidney impairment. The doctors suggested that the high doses of the anthraquinones in the senna were a likely culprit.
  • Senna produces “black intestines” or Melanosis Coli, which is more thoroughly discussed below.

    • Melanosis Coli & Senna


    Melanosis Coli is a darkening or staining of the colon that comes about from using laxatives containing anthraquinones like senna. Because the pigments in the senna artificially blacken the intestines, this condition is sometimes called “pseudomelanosis coli”. One study looked at over 3000 patients who had colon surgery in the past 6 years and found that the darkening of the intestines was consistently linked to anthraquinone containing laxative (natural) like senna. When doctors then followed patients over the next 2 years, they found that patients with cancer of the large bowel had a much higher incidence (18.6%) of pseudomelanosis coli as well – indicating a link between cancer and treating chronic constipation with herbs like senna that contain anthraquinones.


    Another study looked at the cells of colons that had been pigmented due to melanosis coli. It found that colon tissue with melanosis coli had a significantly higher rate of cell death among the epithelial cells of the tissue compared to controls.


    Is there a safer laxative (natural or not)?

    After reading about all the questions regarding the use of senna for constipation relief, it is prudent to wonder if there is a better option that doesn’t rely on anthraquinones for its laxative effect and yet still uses natural ingredients to give results that surpass stimulant based constipation remedies.


    StayRegular is a constipation treatment solution that aims to cure occasional and chronic constipation by addressing the various causes of the problem instead of just artificially stimulating the colon. Its unique quad-action formula relieves constipation by drawing water into the colon with essential minerals, providing special fiber for stool movement, rebalancing the colon’s beneficial bacteria, and providing nutrients the body needs to relax into comfortable bowel movements.


    Why use a potentially dangerous herbal laxative containing senna when a natural, effective, and holistic treatment for constipation is avilable and is more comfortable?