Senna (Cassia angustifolia) is one of India’s highest-volume botanical exports, sourced mainly from the arid belt of Rajasthan and the Tinnevelly region. Buyers purchase it in two forms, leaves and pods, for the herbal supplement, tea and pharmaceutical industries. This guide covers the grades, the sennosides question, MOQ, documentation and where the demand sits.
Leaves or pods: which should you buy?
Both leaves and pods come from the same plant, but they behave differently in a formulation and in a price sheet. Senna pods generally carry a higher and more uniform sennosides concentration, which makes them the usual choice for standardised extract manufacturers. Leaves are more common in TBC (tea bag cut), C&S (cut and sifted) and powdered forms where the buyer wants the whole botanical rather than a concentrate.
What forms and grades are available?
We supply senna in the forms most buyers request. Grade names vary between suppliers, so always align on the actual specification, not the label:
| Form | Typical buyers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole leaves | Tea packers, wholesalers | Graded by leaf integrity and colour |
| TBC (tea bag cut) / C&S (cut and sifted) | Tea and infusion brands | Sieved to a defined cut size; TBC is the finer tea-bag cut, C&S is coarser |
| Leaf powder | Supplement and capsule makers | Mesh size to specification |
| Whole pods | Extract manufacturers | Higher, more consistent sennosides |
See the full listing for senna leaves TBC and C&S grades and senna pods with current specifications.
How is quality verified?
Every lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis. Sennosides content varies by crop, region and grade, so the COA is the document that matters, not a headline number. A serious buyer checks sennosides assay, moisture, foreign matter, ash and microbial load against their own specification before shipment.
MOQ, packaging and lead time
Minimum order quantity depends on the form and grade. Standard export packing is in food-grade bags inside labelled cartons or as pressed bales for whole leaf, with lot numbers that tie back to the COA. Tell our export desk your destination, form and target volume and we will confirm MOQ, packaging and the price per kilogram.
Where is senna demand strongest?
Demand for Indian senna spans Sri Lanka, the United States, Germany and the wider EU pharmaceutical trade, and the Gulf. A.R.T International handles the export documentation and ships worldwide, with a COA on every lot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between senna leaves and senna pods?
Both come from Cassia angustifolia. Pods generally carry a higher and more consistent sennosides concentration than leaves, so pods are often preferred for standardised extract production, while leaves are widely used in TBC (tea bag cut) and C&S (cut and sifted) forms. Ask for the COA on the specific lot for exact figures.
What is the difference between senna TBC and C&S grades?
TBC (tea bag cut) is the finer cut used by tea and infusion packers, sieved to a small, uniform particle. C&S (cut and sifted) is a coarser cut-and-sifted grade. Both are cut from the same Cassia angustifolia leaves or pods; the choice depends on your packing line and specification, and the exact cut size is stated on the COA.
What sennosides level should I expect in Tinnevelly senna?
Sennosides content varies by crop, region and grade. Leaves typically fall in a lower range than pods, and pods can run higher. Because it varies lot to lot, always work from the COA for the batch you are buying rather than a fixed guarantee.
What is the minimum order quantity for senna?
MOQ depends on form and grade. Share your destination, form and target volume and our export desk will confirm the current MOQ and price per kg.
Which countries do you supply senna to?
Demand is strong across Sri Lanka, the United States, Germany and the wider EU, and the Gulf. We handle export documentation and ship worldwide with a COA on every lot.
Specifications vary by crop, season and grade. For current lot specifications, sennosides or lawsone levels, MOQ and pricing to your destination, ask our export desk for a live COA.