Senna
Avoid senna
Senna italica ssp.
(syn. Cassia obovata)
Avoid detrimental to PKD/PLD. Senna contains many chemicals called sennosides. Sennosides irritate the lining of the bowel, which causes a laxative effect. If you must use it, use only short term. Long term can decrease liver functioning. Often called neutral henna, is used as a hair treatment. It gives hair a yellow tinge. The active component is an anthraquinone derivative called chrysophanic acid or chrysophanol (1,8-Dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone), which is also found in higher concentrations in rhubarb. Chrysophanol has been reported to have antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a component of the pheromone of the beetle Galeruca tanaceti.
