Senna septemtrionalis
Sennai septemtrionalis, commonly known as Northern Senna, is a significant medicinal shrub native to specific temperate regions. Renowned for its potent laxative properties, it contains bioactive anthraquinones. This plant serves as a vital natural remedy in traditional herbalism, utilized primarily to stimulate intestinal motility and support digestive wellness.
- Scientific name: Senna septemtrionalis
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Senna as Senna septemtrionalis.
| 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 septemtrionalis, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 光叶决明 (zh), 光叶决明 (zh-hans), and 繁花決明 (zh-tw), while in Persian, it is known as درخت پهلوی (fa). Additionally, in Indonesia, the plant is commonly called Kicik-kicik (id).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 光叶决明 | Wikidata |
| fa | درخت پهلوی | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 繁花決明 | Wikidata |
| id | Kicik-kicik | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 光叶决明 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 光叶决明 | Wikidata |
| zh | 光决明 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian archipelago, it can be specifically found on the island of Madeira. Its range extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Furthermore, the species reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically occurring in Burundi. This wide-reaching presence highlights its adaptability across various tropical and island environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Equatorial Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Senna septentrionalis, is a medicinal herb where various components can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. The lush green leaves are frequently studied for their chemical properties, while the sturdy branches provide the structural framework for the plant's growth. When preparing traditional remedies, practitioners often collect the aerial parts, encompassing everything above the ground, to ensure a comprehensive harvest of its active constituents.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| branches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Senna septemtrionalis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Senna septemtrionalis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, orofacial pain, pain, visceral pain.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| orofacial pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| visceral pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |