Senna italica
Cassia obovata
Sennas italica, commonly known as Italian Senna, is a versatile medicinal shrub prized for its potent laxative properties. Rich in anthraquinone glycosides, it effectively stimulates bowel movements to treat constipation. Widely utilized in traditional herbal medicine, this plant offers a natural approach to managing digestive health and regularity.
- Scientific name: Senna italica
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its classification within the genus Senna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Senna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Senna italicica, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In English, it is known as Urqu mut'uy (qu), while in Vietnamese, it is called Cassia italicica (vi). It is referred to as Sene in Hindi (ht), as Tərs yumurtаvаri sənа in Azerbaijani (az), and as italiansenna in Finnish (fi).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| qu | Urqu mut'uy | Wikidata |
| vi | Cassia italica | Wikidata |
| ht | Sene | Wikidata |
| az | Tərs yumurtаvаri sənа | Wikidata |
| fi | italiansenna | Wikidata |
| ha | Filasko | Wikidata |
| zh | 意大利决明 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 意大利决明 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 意大利决明 | Wikidata |
| fa | سنای مکی | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found across the expansive landscapes of Northern Africa. Within this region, it has a documented presence in the country of Algeria. It is also widely distributed throughout the territories of Egypt and Libya. Furthermore, the species can be identified growing in Morocco. Finally, its geographical range extends into the desert regions of Western Sahara.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Senna italica, possesses several components used in traditional medicine, most notably its foliage. The medicinal properties are primarily concentrated within the green leaves, which are harvested to create various herbal preparations. Each individual leaf is typically lanceolate in shape, growing in an opposite arrangement along the slender, woody branches. These branches serve as the structural framework that supports the dense growth of the foliage, allowing for the effective collection of the plant's bioactive elements.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| branches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Senna italica has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthraquinones, cis-resveratrol, quercetin, sennoside A, sennoside B.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cis-resveratrol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sennoside A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sennoside B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ubiquinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Senna italica has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Laxative.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Laxative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Senna italica has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, inflammation, jaundice, laxative, lung cancer.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| laxative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| retained placenta | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |