Senna is a herb whose dried leaves and seed pods are used as a laxative. It is one of the most widely traded medicinal plants in the world, sold as whole leaf, cut leaf, powder, whole pods and extract. Most of the traded supply comes from India.
The plain answer
People asking what is senna usually mean one of two things: the plant, or the product they have seen on a tea box or a supplement label. They are the same thing at different stages.
The plant is a small shrub grown in dry heat. The product is its dried leaf or pod, processed into whatever form the buyer needs. There is no chemistry in between for the plain material. It is picked, dried, cleaned and cut.
Senna works by stimulating the bowel rather than by softening stool or adding bulk. That makes it different in kind from psyllium, which works mechanically. It is why senna acts within hours and why it is not meant for indefinite daily use.
The forms it is sold in
| Form | Who buys it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Whole leaf | Traditional trade, some tea | Appearance and provenance |
| Fine cut | Tea bag packers | Sized to the bag, infuses fast |
| Coarse cut | Loose tea, infusers | Visible leaf, less dust |
| Powder | Capsule and tablet makers | Dosed by weight |
| Whole pods | Extract manufacturers | Generally stronger than leaf |
| Extract | Pharma and supplements | Standardised strength |
The cut is not a detail. A tea packer ordering the wrong size gets either dust that passes through the bag or leaf too coarse to infuse properly in the time a cup is brewed.
Where it comes from
India dominates the trade, growing senna across dry districts of Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. Senna from the Tamil Nadu belt is known as Tinnevelly senna and is the grade the market prices against.
Alexandrian senna, a different species grown in Sudan and Egypt, also trades internationally. The two are not interchangeable, and a specification that just says senna leaves an important question unanswered. Our note on the senna plant covers the botany and the growing cycle.
What it is used for commercially
Three markets take almost all of it.
Herbal tea. Senna is the base of most detox and slimming teas, which is why tea brands buy it in tonnes rather than kilos. It is usually blended, since senna alone is not a pleasant cup.
Pharmaceutical. Registered laxative preparations use senna, which is why pharmacopoeia grades and full documentation exist for it. This is the most demanding segment on paperwork.
Supplements. Capsules and tablets, usually powder or extract, sold as occasional relief rather than daily use.
There is also a smaller traditional use on skin and scalp, and a long history in Ayurvedic practice as a cleansing herb, though neither accounts for much of the volume that crosses borders.
What to know before using it
Senna is effective and it is not subtle. Sensible general guidance is short term use only, and following the dose on whatever product you have rather than improvising.
It is not intended for continuous long term use, and anyone pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a bowel condition should talk to a doctor before taking it. Our note on senna tea side effects goes through this properly, and the piece on senna for constipation covers timing and dose.
This is general information about a widely traded botanical, not medical advice for any individual.
How buyers specify it
A workable senna specification names six things: the species, the part, the form and cut size, the strength figure, the moisture limit, and the contaminant panel for the destination market.
Leave the species out and you may be quoted a different plant. Leave the cut size out and a tea packer will get material that does not run on their line. Leave the strength out and there is no basis to compare two prices, because the cheaper offer is frequently the weaker one.
Sourcing senna in bulk
We are a senna leaves manufacturer and exporter supplying Tinnevelly senna as whole leaf, fine cut, coarse cut and powder, along with senna pods whole and broken.
Minimum order is 100 kg. Material to recognised pharmacopoeia standards where your registration needs it, GMP, FSSAI, APEDA and Halal certified, Certificate of Analysis on every lot. Free sample before you order, quote back within 24 hours, shipped from Mundra to the US, Germany, China, the UK, France, Australia, Japan and Canada.
Specifications, for buyers who order to a number
Order on species, part, cut size, strength and moisture, with foreign matter, heavy metals, pesticide residue and microbial limits set to your destination market. All confirmed on the Certificate of Analysis for the lot you receive. Tell us the application, the cut and the strength you work to, and we will confirm what we can supply against it.
Frequently asked questions
What is senna?
A herb whose dried leaves and pods are used as a laxative. It is sold as whole leaf, cut leaf, powder, pods and extract, and most of the world’s traded supply comes from India.
What is senna used for?
Mainly as a laxative. Commercially it goes into herbal detox and slimming teas, registered pharmaceutical laxative preparations, and supplement capsules and tablets.
How quickly does senna work?
Usually within 6 to 12 hours, which is why it is commonly taken at night. It stimulates the bowel rather than softening or adding bulk, so it acts faster than fibre based products.
Is senna safe to take every day?
It is intended for short term use, not indefinite daily use. Anyone pregnant, breastfeeding or managing a bowel condition should speak to a doctor first.
What is the difference between senna leaves and pods?
Both come from the same plant. Pods are generally stronger for the same weight and are favoured by extract manufacturers. Leaf is the volume item and the usual choice for tea.
Specs change with the crop, the season and the grade. Ask our export desk for a current lab report, the minimum order and a price to your port, and we will come back within 24 hours.