The rumour goes that if you never had Senna Pod tea, you are not truly Guyanese. This is almost a tradition in Guyanese households, passing down through generations. To date, many Guyanese consume the Senna Pod tea to purge their intestines for a good “clean out”. This tea is home-brewed and is adjusted to suit the person drinking it. While Senna Pod Tea can be drunk alone, it is sometimes combined with Epsom Salts. This powerful combination packs a kick, particularly in your tummy! Read on to find out the benefits of Senna Pod Tea, Epsom Salts and how to make this laxative tea.
Senna Pod Tea and Epsom Salts – Photo by Girendra Persaud
What is Senna?
Senna is the common name for the herbal plant which is often used as a laxative. While the pods are primarily used in Guyana, the leaves are used in some parts of the world to make a purgative tea. The leaves of Senna can also be used but causes more griping since it contains more resin. Senna pods do not contain the volatile oil found in the leaves. When drunk, this tea induces bowel movements and purges the intestines and body. Senna Pod Tea is drunk early in the morning, before drinking or eating anything. However, water is sometimes drunk before ingesting the liquid. Drinking some piping hot tea right after the Senna Pod Tea is not uncommon as it helps to settle the stomach and rid the taste from your mouth and nose.
Description of Senna
Senna resembles a shrub and is typically below two (2) metres in height and rarely reaching two (2) metres. Its stem is erect and pale green with long branches that spread, bearing complex, feathery leaves in four (4) or five (5) pairs. The Leaflets grows from four (4) to six (6) pairs with a sharp top, with equally divided midribs.
Senna Pods are the purgative, legumes fruits of Cassia acutifolia which are dried and brewed to make a tea. The pods of Senna plants are green-brownish but when they are dried they turn a dark brown or black colour. Senna pods are flat but rounded at the ends, with a curved body and contain several seeds. These pods range in lengths of three (3) to six (6) centimetres and widths of two (2) to two point five (2.5) centimetres.
Health Benefits of Senna Pod Tea
- Reduces Constipation – Like Epsom Salt, drinking Senna Pod tea can reduce constipation. The active compounds contained in Senna have strong purgative effects. These irritate the lining of the colon, thus promoting the contractions of the colons and stimulate bowel movements.
- Preparation of Colonoscopy – Colonoscopy, a medical procedure used in the screening of colon cancer requires the cleansing of the body. Senna has been used with other agents for this purging.
- Bloating – Sometimes Senna tea is used for treating bloating and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate is a clear granule of hydrated magnesium sulphate that is used as a purgative. It is used to treat ailments, such as constipation, insomnia, and fibromyalgia. However, in Guyana, it is used to relieve constipation or to purge the body. It is often combined with Senna pods and brewed in a tea.
Epsom Salt and Senna Pods- Photo by Girendra Persaud
Health Benefits of Epsom Salts
- Reduces Constipation – When taken orally in the form of magnesium citrate or magnesium hydroxide, draws water into the colon, thus promoting bowel movements.
- Provides Magnesium – A major component of Epsom Salt is Magnesium, an important mineral that the body needs. Magnesium helps in protein formation, maintenance of genes, movement of muscles, energy creation and even helps in the regulation of the nervous system.
- Reduces Stress and Promotes Sleep – Magnesium helps the brain to produce neurotransmitters which reduce stress and induce sleep. Having low levels of magnesium can affect the quality of sleep and stress levels.
How to make Senna Pod Tea with Epsom Salts
Senna Pod Tea is a powerful laxative by itself and when combined with Epsom Salts you can be sure you’ll be in for a busy day. While the tea can be drunk black or without milk and sugar, persons sometimes add a bit of both to disguise the taste of Senna Pods.
Ingredients
- 10 Senna Pods
- 1/4 pint of water
Method
- Put the pot with water on the stove.
- When water is hot add Senna pods and stir.
- Boil until the liquid turns a dark brown.
- Remove from stove and drink warm.
Optional: Add half (1/2) a tablespoon of Epsom Salt.
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- Senna Pods- Photo by Girendra Persaud
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- Senna Pods and Tea Photo by Girendra Persaud
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- Epsom Salt and Senna Pods- Photo by Girendra Persaud
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- Senna Pods and Epsom Salt – Photo by Girendra Persaud
About Senna Pod and Salts
Senna Pod and Epsom Salt are both common laxatives used in Guyana to purge the body. When combined they cleanse the body of its waste, for a healthier body. If you’re not fond of the tea because of its ghastly smell, there are also Senna tablets available. Just remember, if you plan on drinking Senna Pod Tea set aside a day.
Article Reference
- https://www.healthline.com/health/senna-tea
- https://www.stabroeknews.com/2017/03/30/features/to-the-dump-to-the-dump/
- https://www.guyanagraphic.com/content/senna-pods-1
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senna_alexandrina
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/epsom-salt-benefits-uses
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/senna-tea-89933
